2017/18 UEFA Europa League

FCIM

Harry Palmr wrote: »

Napoli playing in front of three men and a dog (not seen the dog)

Surprising to see Sarri has put out a few key players in among the second 11. Can't blame people for not turning up when they know they're going to bin the competition as soon as possible though.

Rekop dog

Italian sides have treated this competition with comtempt in recent years. Lazio have also fielded mainly reserves.

Makes sense for Milan to have a good crack at it though as the best route to the Champions league for them as it stands.

Mr.Nice Guy

Anthony Lopes just made a big double save to keep it 0-0. Before that Mariano was through on goal, fouled by Victor Ruiz denying him a clear goalscoring opportunity, but Mariano stupidly got back to his feet and tried to score. Almost a certain red card for Ruiz if he had stayed down. Naive stuff from Mariano.

ERG89

Celtic on top vs a Zenit side who were certainly on a Christmas break the last 2 months

Mr.Nice Guy

0-0 at Half-Time between Lyon and Villarreal. Quite a scrappy game with a lot of niggling fouls. Two Villarreal players booked but they should be down to ten for a foul on Mariano. The striker helped Ruiz out by getting back to his feet instead of rolling around a few times. Lopes has made two good stops. Fekir had a free-kick effort saved by Asenjo. Both sides lacking quality in the final third.

Mr.Nice Guy

1-0 Lyon! Minute into the second half and Ndombele gets his first goal for the club.

Update: And minutes later it's 2-0! Fekir on the rebound after super work from Mariano who has been involved in both goals. Asenjo unfortunate as his save from Mariano Diaz was very good.

Mariano is giving Alvaro and Ruiz a torrid time. He's started this half on fire.

Update: And Mario Gaspar just slapped Mariano off the ball. All these officials and no one sees it. No VAR tonight but if there was and they reviewed that Mario likely would be off. That's two Villarreal players lucky to not have been given red cards.

Goal! And would you believe it Villarreal then break and score via Fornals. 2-1. Lyon gonna be fuming about that.

Rekop dog

Looks like you chose the best game to watch this evening.

Mr.Nice Guy

DEPAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

WHAT A GOAL. UNREALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

That strike needed Alan Partridge commentating for it. 3-1.

https://twitter.com/InsideGones/status/964255023185178626

ERG89

Looking at a few minutes of Napoli vs Leipzig the only way the home side could care less is if they wore sweat pants for the 90 minutes. I know they want to win the league but show a bit of something like

Mr.Nice Guy

Full-Time and the first leg ends Lyon 3-1 Villareal. Second half was very good after a scrappy first half and the Depay goal was a screamer. Depay can wreck the head a lot of the time but he's capable of producing some stunning goals.

I wasn't impressed with the referee tonight. Villareal could have had two players sent off and Lyon were lucky not to have conceded a penalty after a clumsy foul from Mendy. I think Lyon deserved the win. Ndombele put in a fine performance in midfield and Mariano Diaz played great. Villarreal didn't provide much service for Bacca although Lopes did have to make some good stops.

Lyon will be favourites but I think the tie is still in the balance. It's not going to be easy for this young side to go to Villarreal and avoid defeat. Second leg should be fascinating.

citytillidie

Results
Crvena zvezda (SRB) 0 V 0 CSKA Moskva (RUS) 17:00
Astana (KAZ) 1 V 3 Sporting CP (POR) 16:00
Östersund (SWE) 0 V 3 Arsenal (ENG)
Ludogorets Razgrad (BUL) 0 V 3 AC Milan (ITA)
Borussia Dortmund (GER) 3 V 2 Atalanta (ITA)
Nice (FRA) 2 V 3 Lokomotiv Moscow (RUS)
Spartak Moskva (RUS) 1 V 3 Athletic Club (ESP)
Real Sociedad (ESP) 2 V 2 Salzburg (AUT)
Marseille (FRA) 3 V 0 Braga (POR)
Celtic (SCO) 1 V 0 Zenit (RUS)
København (DEN) 1 V 4 Atlético Madrid (ESP)
Lyon (FRA) 3 V 1 Villarreal (ESP)
Napoli (ITA) 1 V 3 RB Leipzig (GER)
AEK Athens (GRE) 1 V 1 Dynamo Kyiv (UKR)
Partizan (SRB) 1 V 1 Viktoria Plzeň (CZE)
FCSB (ROU) 1 V 0 Lazio (ITA)

citytillidie

This weeks games
Wednesday 21st February
CSKA Moskva (RUS) V Crvena zvezda (SRB) (Agg 0-0) 17:00 - Live on BT Sport 3

Thursday 22nd February
16:00
Lokomotiv Moscow (RUS) V Nice (FRA) (Agg 3-2) - Live on BT Sport 2

18:00 Kick Off
Zenit (RUS) V Celtic (SCO) (Agg 0-1) - Live on BT Sport 3
Villarreal (ESP) V Lyon (FRA) (Agg 1-3) - Live on BT Sport Extra 3
RB Leipzig (GER) V Napoli (ITA) (Agg 3-1) - Live on BT Sport 1
Atlético Madrid (ESP) V København (DEN) (Agg 4-1)
Dynamo Kyiv (UKR) V AEK Athens (GRE) (Agg 1-1)
Lazio (ITA) V FCSB (ROU) (Agg 0-1)
Sporting CP (POR) V Astana (KAZ) (Agg 3-1)
Viktoria Plzeň (CZE) V Partizan (SRB) (Agg 1-1)

20:05 Kick Off
Arsenal (ENG) V Östersund (SWE) (Agg 3-0) - Live on BT Sport 2
AC Milan (ITA) V Ludogorets Razgrad (BUL) (Agg 3-0) - Live on BT Sport Extra 2 / BT Sport 3
Atalanta (ITA) V Borussia Dortmund (GER) (Agg 2-3) - Live on BT Sport 1
Athletic Club (ESP) V Spartak Moskva (RUS) (Agg 3-1)
Salzburg (AUT) V Real Sociedad (ESP) (Agg 2-2)
Braga (POR) V Marseille (FRA) (Agg 0-3)

Mr.Nice Guy

Looks like Nice are heading out of the competition. They're losing 1-0 at half-time to Lokomotiv. Nice were the better team and Balotelli has struck the crossbar twice; he also had a good chance inside the box. The Russians got a goal against the run of play though and Nice now need three goals to progress. Balotelli is looking quite frustrated and he's already on a yellow. I wouldn't be surprised if he picks up another one before this is done.

Full-Time and Lokomotiv advance with a 1-0 win. Nice will rue the opportunities in the first half they didn't convert. They also had a decent shout for a penalty. But I can't say they've been robbed as Moscow defended well. I was disappointed with the showing of Saint-Maximin. He's a player I like but his decision making can be poor and that was the case today. Did very little right.

Gonna watch the second leg of Villarreal vs Lyon on BT Sport Extra 3. The first leg which Lyon won 3-1 was very enjoyable and I've a feeling this tie could go right to the wire. Team news:

Villarreal XI: Asenjo; Mario, Alvaro, Bonera, Jaume Costa; Rodri, Javi Fuego, Trigueros; Fornals; Carlos Bacca, Unal.

Lyon XI: Lopes; Rafael, Marcelo, Morel, Mendy; Tousart, Ndombele; Traore, Fekir, Memphis Depay; Mariano Diaz.

Rodri and Fornals are players I like watching for Villarreal. Big fan of the defensive midfield of Lyon with Tousart and Ndombele so keen to see how they get on in a big game. Mariano was excellent in the previous leg and he'll look to do well back in Spain. Hope Lyon advance but wouldn't be overly confident given their form of late.

Update: Villarreal blessed not to concede a penalty. Looked like Traore was fouled. Lyon playing well. Ndombele is putting in a good showing so far.

Half-Time: Lyon and Villarreal is goalless at the break. Lyon had the better of things and were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty. I expected more from the home side but an effort from Unal is the only moment to force a significant stop from Lopes. Ndombele has been the standout player of the half. Bossing things in midfield and stepping up on the big stage once again.

Some interesting half-time scores from elsewhere:

Zenit 2-0 Celtic
RB Leipzig 0-1 Napoli

Celtic's lead from the first leg has been overturned and they need to find an away goal now. Napoli need two more goals to make it through.

Update: Lyon so close to putting the tie to bed. Fekir rounds the keeper but his touch is a little heavy and his shot towards goal is from a very acute angle. Bonera blocks it but then slips and it almost leads to a goal but he's able to make another block. We're entering the final thirty minutes and Villarreal are going to have to go for it which will leave them vulnerable to the counter. It should make for an exciting finale.

Red card: Villarreal's Jaume Costa given a second yellow for dissent which makes things even harder with a little over ten minutes left in normal time.

Goal! Finally Traore finishes one of many chances he's had tonight as Fekir passes around Asenjo and lays it on a plate for him to run it into the net. Tie over now but I think it has been for a while.

https://twitter.com/OL_Plus/status/966761068403060736

Full-Time: Lyon win 1-0 on the night and 4-1 on aggregate. It was starting to get a bit feisty near the end as Villarreal's players got frustrated. Nine yellow cards. I thought Lyon were impressive. I expected Villarreal to offer a lot more than they did and wasn't expecting such a mature showing from Lyon. Ndombele was the best player I thought. He and Tousart were great. I thought Marcelo did well in defence too. Mendy was a bit of a liability at times and Depay could have offered more. Villarreal were poor.

Headshot

Some gutless performance by Celtic.

ERG89

Headshot wrote:

Some gutless performance by Celtic.

They messed up in the first leg as Zenit were absolutely pathetic so they should have had at least 2 going there.
Speaking of messing up if Napoli played their starting XI in one of the ties they would have won the tie easy but Sarri fu*ked up in Europe for the second time this season.

Mr.Nice Guy

Poor stuff from Celtic. A lot of sides will be pleased to see Napoli out you'd think.

Atalanta vs Dortmund looks the pick of the evening games with Dortmund having a 3-2 lead. Teams:

Atalanta XI: Berisha; Toloi, Caldara, Masiello; Hateboer, De Roon, Freuler, Spinazzola; Cristante; Ilicic, Gomez.

Borussia Dortmund XI: Burki; Toljan, Toprak, Papastathopoulos, Piszczek; Dahoud, Sahin; Pulisic, Gotze, Schurrle; Batshuayi.

MD1990

Zenit not even that good tonight.

Celtic were awful.

It will leave a huge stain on their season as the SPL is so weak.

Agent Coulson

Celtic were terrible Rodgers shown up in Europe yet again.

Mr.Nice Guy

1-0 Atalanta. Toloi scores! All level now.

Headshot

And Liverpool thought they had it bad with Keepers. How Bürki is starting for this Dortmund team is bewildering

Berserker

Arsenal 0-2 Ostersunds. Is there a shock on the cards?

monkey9

ERG89 wrote: »

They messed up in the first leg as Zenit were absolutely pathetic so they should have had at least 2 going there.
Speaking of messing up if Napoli played their starting XI in one of the ties they would have won the tie easy but Sarri fu*ked up in Europe for the second time this season.

It's all about the Serie A title for Napoli though. They're pretty much guaranteed Champions League football for next season so tonight's exit will be forgotten quickly if they can finally get over the line and win the title i think for first time since Maradonna was there.

ERG89

monkey9 wrote:

It's all about the Serie A title for Napoli though. They're pretty much guaranteed Champions League football for next season so tonight's exit will be forgotten quickly if they can finally get over the line and win the title i think for first time since Maradonna was there.

Honestly they should have put in a lot more effort in Europe a couple of more games wouldn't kill them. Even the teams he picked made no sense.

Berserker wrote:

Arsenal 0-2 Ostersunds. Is there a shock on the cards?

No but isn't it just typical Arsenal

Mr.Nice Guy

Wait, what? Arsenal are losing 2-0?! OK I have to switch over.

Agent Coulson

Arsenal getting thrown to shreds by what might as well be amateur players.

Quazzie

Agent Coulson wrote: »

Arsenal's Reserve team getting thrown to shreds by what might as well be amateur players.

FYP and it's still too overdramatic.

Agent Coulson

Mkhitaryan probably earns more in a week than the entire Ostersund squad combined earn in a year.

Quazzie

Agent Coulson wrote: »

Mkhitaryan probably earns more in a week than the entire Ostersund squad combined earn in a year.

You think they earn less than €10k each per year?

Agent Coulson

Wenger and those Arsenal players should be ashamed of themselves.

All thinking of the league cup final on Sunday and not the game tonight.



Ostersund showing a PL team what professionalism & passion is all about.

ERG89

Arsenal fortunate they didn't concede that last minute penalty last week. They'll be fine but it doesn't reflect well on them.

monkey9

ERG89 wrote: »

Honestly they should have put in a lot more effort in Europe a couple of more games wouldn't kill them. Even the teams he picked made no sense.

Yeah, you do want to have a successful European run. But honestly, i can well understand Napoli completely sacrificing the Europa League this year for the title. If they can get over the line, then it's done. They can celebrate having the weight of that title drought off their shoulders, maybe strengthen the squad in the summer and go again next season on both fronts.

I do understand your point of view, but on this one, i'm willing to give Napoli a pass.

LuckyGent88

Just saw the Arsenal score LOL

monkey9

You'd still expect Arsenal to get through, but even that first half just adds to the whole Arsenal demise under Wenger and it is a demise.

Agent Coulson

That's the goal for Arsenal they will stroll it now.

Mr.Nice Guy

It was fun while it lasted. Back to Atalanta/Dortmund.

citytillidie

Why are Arsenal wearing their away kit at home

Quazzie

Agent Coulson wrote: »

Wenger and those Arsenal players should be ashamed of themselves.

All thinking of the league cup final on Sunday and not the game tonight.



Ostersund showing a PL team what professionalism & passion is all about.

Very few of them will be anywhere near the team that starts on Sunday, but don't let that stop the continuous dribble of shíte you've been talking tonight

citytillidie

Police officer killed in Bilbao, kicking off with the Russians

callaway92

citytillidie wrote: »

Why are Arsenal wearing their away kit at home

Both of Ostersunds kits clash with Arsenal’s home kit, so they are both wearing the away one.

Mr.Nice Guy

Ugly scenes at the San Mames for Athletic Bilbao's game with Spartak Moscow. A policeman is reported to have died of a heart attack from dealing with the trouble.

monkey9

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

Ugly scenes at the San Mames for Athletic Bilbao's game with Spartak Moscow. A policeman is reported to have died of a heart attack from dealing with the trouble.

Ugh.

citytillidie

https://twitter.com/SportCentralES/status/966784902451560449


A policeman has died following clashes between Athletic Bilbao and Spartak Moscow fans outside the San Mames in Bilbao tonight.
Reports say 800 fans were involved in three large incidents near the stadium, where fireworks and missiles were thrown. #ultras #Hooligans #football

citytillidie

xtal191

https://twitter.com/AwayDaysVideos/status/966764866588631042

ERG89

Keeper botches hugely for Atalanta. 1-1

Mr.Nice Guy

The substitute Schmelzer scores for Dortmund after Berisha spills it. Atalanta heading out as it stands.

Full-Time and Dortmund advance. I feel for Atalanta. They had chances to make this a different outcome but couldn't do so and Dortmund got the key goal late on.

Agent Coulson

Embarrassing result for Arsenal despite going through.

Quazzie

Agent Coulson wrote: »

Embarrassing result for Arsenal despite going through.

:D:D:D

You seem deeply upset by it.

Makes tonight's poor game a lot more enjoyable

citytillidie

Results
CSKA Moskva (RUS) 1 V 0 Crvena zvezda (SRB) (Agg 1-0)
Lokomotiv Moscow (RUS) 1 V 0 Nice (FRA) (Agg 4-2)
Zenit (RUS) 3 V 0 Celtic (SCO) (Agg 3-1)
Villarreal (ESP) 0 V 1 Lyon (FRA) (Agg 1-4)
RB Leipzig (GER) 0 V 2 Napoli (ITA) (Agg 3-3) RB Leipzig (GER) win on away goals
Atlético Madrid (ESP) 1 V 0 København (DEN) (Agg 5-1)
Dynamo Kyiv (UKR) 0 V 0 AEK Athens (GRE) (Agg 1-1) Dynamo Kyiv (UKR) win on away goals
Lazio (ITA) 5 V 1 FCSB (ROU) (Agg 5-2)
Sporting CP (POR) 3 V 3 Astana (KAZ) (Agg 6-4)
Viktoria Plzeň (CZE) 2 V 0 Partizan (SRB) (Agg 3-1)
Arsenal (ENG) 1 V 2 Östersund (SWE) (Agg 4-2)
AC Milan (ITA) 1 V 0 Ludogorets Razgrad (BUL) (Agg 4-0)
Atalanta (ITA) 1 V 1 Borussia Dortmund (GER) (Agg 3-4)
Athletic Club (ESP) 1 V 2 Spartak Moskva (RUS) (Agg 4-3)
Salzburg (AUT) 2 V 1 Real Sociedad (ESP) (Agg 4-3)
Braga (POR) 1 V 0 Marseille (FRA) (Agg 1-3)

Through to Round of 16
CSKA Moskva (RUS)
Lokomotiv Moscow (RUS)
Zenit (RUS)
Lyon (FRA)
RB Leipzig (GER)
Atlético Madrid (ESP)
Dynamo Kyiv (UKR)
Lazio (ITA)
Sporting CP (POR)
Viktoria Plzeň (CZE)
Arsenal (ENG)
AC Milan (ITA)
Borussia Dortmund (GER)
Athletic Club (ESP)
Salzburg (AUT)
Marseille (FRA)

Agent Coulson

Keown still can't find it in himself to lay any blame on Wenger at all.