News Archive

Europa League group stage, day five

Athletic Bilbao are through to the next round of the Europa League after they beat Sassuolo 3-2 on Thursday evening. Although Balenziaga put through his own net in the first minute, headed goals by Raúl García and Aduríz turned the scoreline around. Lekue added a third with ten minutes to go, but Ragusa got one back soon afterwards to set up a nervous finish. The other two Spanish sides are still not qualified however after failing to win their respective matches. Villarreal were held to a 1-1 draw at FC Zurich, Bruno’s headed opener being cancelled out by a Rodríguez penalty with three minutes left on the clock, and Fran Escribá’s side now have to beat Steaua Bucharest in their last game to make sure of going through. Likewise Celta needed to win against Standard Liège to secure their place in the last 32, but a 1-1 draw means they have to better the Belgian side’s result in a fortnight’s time to take the second qualifying spot. Iago Aspas gave the Galicians an early lead, but Laifis equalized in the eightieth minute, and Aspas was sent off for protesting near the end. (24.11.16)

Athletic Bilbao 3 – Sassuolo 2

Athletic Bilbao are through to the next round of the Europa League after they beat Sassuolo 3-2 on Thursday evening, Genk’s win against Rapid Vienna opening up a four point gap between the top two and the rest. Although Balenziaga awkwardly put through his own net in the first minute, Raúl García headed the equalizer from Beñat’s corner a few minutes later. Visiting keeper Consigli had to save from Muniain and Williams before the interval, and a quarter of an hour in to the second half Aduríz headed the Basque side in to the lead after Yeray headed on another Beñat corner. Herrerín had to save from Defrel soon afterwards, but Lekue made it three after Aduríz headed on a long Herrerín free kick. Ragusa got one back however after Herrerín could only push out a cross from Politano, setting up a nervous last few minutes for the home fans. (24.11.16)

FC Zurich 1 - Villarreal 1

Villarreal were held to a 1-1 draw at FC Zurich in their fifth group tie, and they now have to beat Steaua Bucharest in their last game to make sure of going through to the next stage. Fran Escribá’s side started well, Bakambu shooting wide before Bruno headed in a Trigueros corner to open the scoring. Pato, Bruno and Cheryshev all brought good saves out of Vanins later on in the first half, but Asenjo had to be on his toes to keep out Marchesano, and Koné went close a couple of times for the Swiss second division side before the break. After the restart though Bakambu and Pato both wasted chances to increase the lead, and substitute Roberto Rodríguez hit the bar before Koné fell under a challenge from Víctor Ruíz with ten minutes to go. Rodríguez fired home the resulting penalty to level the scores, and only a first class stop from Asenjo prevented Winter from getting the winner near the end. (24.11.16)

Celta 1 – Standard Liège 1

Celta and Standard Liège came in to their match at the Balaidos stadium knowing that the winner would qualify for the knock-out stage, and that the loser would be eliminated from the competition. However the game ended with the same 1-1 scoreline as the last time the two teams met, and (with Ajax securing top spot) the Galicians now have to better the Belgian side’s result in a fortnight’s time to take the second qualifying place. Guidetti fired a shot wide before Iago Aspas picked up a Mallo throw-in and battled past three defenders to open the scoring. After that though the visitors were on top, Rubén Blanco having to save from Belfodil and Cissé, and Orlando Sá heading against the woodwork. Pione Sisto went close a couple of times after the break, but Blanco had to keep out Belfodil again, and with ten minutes to go Laifis made it all square with a header from a Collins Fai cross. Sisto tested Hubert again near the end, but with the final whistle approaching Aspas was sent off after picking up a second booking for arguing with the referee. He will miss the key match at Panathinaikos, but all eyes will also be on Standard’s game against Ajax. Only one team will go through. (24.11.16)