News Archive

Europa League group stage, day four

Aduríz set a new record for the Europa League on Thursday, the Spanish international striker scoring all five goals (including three penalties) in Athletic Bilbao’s 5-3 victory over KRC Genk. The other two La Liga teams both lost though, Celta beaten 3-2 at Ajax despite late goals by Guidetti and Iago Aspas, and Villarreal surprisingly defeated 1-2 by Turkey’s Osmanlispor. None of the three Spanish sides top their group after day four, but all are reasonably well placed to qualify for the knock-out stage. (03.11.16)

Athletic Bilbao 5 - KRC Genk 3

Aduríz set a new record for the Europa League on Thursday, the Spanish international striker scoring all five goals in Athletic Bilbao’s 5-3 victory over KRC Genk. Starting the day at the bottom of the group, this was a must win match for Valverde’s side, and the coach put out a full strength line-up. With only eight minutes gone Aduríz poked the opener past Bizot after Raúl García headed back Balenziaga’s cross, and midway through the first half he scored the first of three penalties after Castagne brought down Muniain in the area. Ex Betis winger Pozuelo set up Bailey to get one back though, but with the first half coming to a close Aduríz slotted home a second penalty after Colley tripped Raúl García. The Belgian side didn’t give up though, Ndidi heading in a Buffel cross soon after the restart, and although Aduríz ran on to a Yeray pass to restore the two goal cushion, Susic closed the gap once again after latching on to the loose ball when Raúl García tackled Bailey on the edge of the area. However with the game in injury time Aduríz rounded things off with another penalty to take his team level with their opponents, and with Sassuolo and Rapid Vienna drawing in the other group match they find themselves in the top two spots. (03.11.16)

Ajax 3 - Celta 2

Celta ended the fourth round of games in third spot in their group, level on points with second placed Standard Liège, after a 3-2 defeat at group leaders Ajax on Thursday evening. Bakambu put an early chance wide, but otherwise the Dutch side were on top, Dolberg and Younes shooting wide before Traoré played a throw-in on for Dolberg to run on past Sergi Gómez to score. After the interval the locals added two more, Ziyech turning the ball in on the far post after Traoré passed across the area, and Younes cutting across to fire a low shot wide of Rubén Blanco. Berizzo was eventually forced to turn to three of his his first choice players, rested at the start in this game, and in the last ten minutes Iago Aspas set up Guidetti to pull one back, and then cut in to score a second himself. It was too late to do any more however, and the Galicians go in to their next game at home to Liège knowing that only a win will suffice. (03.11.16)

Villarreal 1 - Osmanlispor 2

Villarreal were surprisingly defeated 1-2 by Osmanlispor in the Madrigal stadium, and they end the fourth round of games in second spot, two points behind the Turkish team in the table. Ex Osasuna and Mallorca striker Webó turned in Prochazka’s fierce cross to put the visitors in front in the eighth minute, and Andrés had to make a couple of saves after that to keep his side in the game. Cheryshev tested Arikan before the break though, and just three minutes in to the second half Rodri levelled the scores with a shot from outside of the area which looped off Tiago Pinto over the visiting keeper. Once again however Rusescu proved their downfall, the ex Sevilla striker (who scored twice a fortnight ago) coming on to restore the lead with a quarter of an hour to go. Soon afterwards only a good save from Andrés prevented him from adding another, and Arikan kept out Sansone near the end to ensure the three points. (03.11.16).