News Archive

Europa League group stage, day three

A disappointing day for Spain’s Europa League teams, with none of the three able to win. Celta were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Ajax, Fontàs and Orellana equalizing both times after Ziyech and then Younes had given the Dutch team the lead. And Villarreal also drew 2-2 at Osmanlispor, strikes by N’Diaye and Pato saving a point for the visitors after Rusescu scored twice in a minute for the locals midway through the first half. Worse news still though for Athletic Bilbao who lost 2-0 at Genk, Brabec and Ndidi getting the goals to leave the Basque side down at the bottom of their group. (20.10.16)

Celta 2 – Ajax 2

Celta were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Ajax in their third group game, the result leaving the Galicians still in second spot, two points behind the Dutch side in the table. Ziyech put the visitors ahead midway through the first half after Dolberg put him through, but Fontàs made it all square with more than a little fortune, his attempt to control a Lemos free kick with his heel resulting in the ball looping over Onana in to the net. Señé went close for the locals before the break, but with twenty minutes to go Younes cut in from the left wing to curl a shot past Rubén Blanco and restore the lead. Roncaglia bounced a header over the bar though soon afterwards, and with eight minutes to go Orellana picked up Roncaglia’s pass and cut across the area to level the scores once again.

Osmanlispor 2 - Villarreal 2

Villarreal stay top of their group after they came back from two goals down to draw drew 2-2 at Osmanlispor. Ex Sevilla striker Rusescu scored twice for the Turkish side in as many minutes midway through the first half, the first from Vrsajevic cross, and the second with a long shot after Papa N’Diaye won the ball off Jonathan Dos Santos straight from the kick-off. Arikan did well to keep out Santos Borré before the break, but only a good stop from Andrés prevented Rusescu from completing a hat-trick after the restart. A few minutes later however substitute Güven was sent off for pushing over Pato in the area, and although Arikan saved Bruno’s spot kick, Alfred N’Diaye volleyed home the resulting corner. And with a quarter of an hour to go Pato steered home the equalizer after Castillejo and Rukavina combined to set him up down the right wing.

KRC Genk 2 - Athletic Bilbao 0

Athletic Bilbao lost 2-0 at Genk in their third group game, and with only three points they end the day down at the bottom of the table. Herrerín had to come out to save from Buffel early on, and Susic fired a shot in to the side netting a few minutes later. Aduríz lobbed a good chance over the top, but with five minutes to go to the break Brabec opened the scoring after Herrerín could only push out a shot from Bailey. San José and Susaeta did try their luck after the restart, but Herrerín had to keep out Bailly and Nastic, and with seven minutes to go Ndidi made it two after Castagne’s cross was only partly cleared. It was the first time that the Belgian team had beaten a Spanish side in seven meetings, and Athletic need at least to win their last two home games if they are to progress any further. .