Although it looked like another thrashing was on the cards early on, this match quickly proved far from one-sided. Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen scored first and crucially finished strong under duress – overturning a 2-1 deficit late on – to sting a spirited Celtic showing, qualifying for next year’s Europa League knockout rounds as Group G winners with a game to spare.
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Tag: Europa League
Reece Oxford’s Augsburg extension reinforces his refreshing progression
Cast aside too quickly as another teenage wonderkid who swiftly disappeared according to English critics, Reece Oxford’s career trajectory has been re-energised by a Bundesliga journey taking him from Borussia Monchengladbach to Augsburg – where his consistent performances earned a new contract extension last week, like most things, that went under-the-radar. Continue reading
That was quick: Jose Mourinho agrees Roma deal, replacing Paulo Fonseca in July
15 days after Tottenham dismissed him just before their first domestic Cup final since 2014-15, Jose Mourinho has emerged as Paulo Fonseca’s successor at Serie A side Roma, announcing hours earlier that his compatriot’s existing deal would not be renewed beyond this summer.
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Gianluigi Donnarumma renewal talks rumble on; Milan target Mike Maignan
Milan vice-captain and first-choice goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has just two months left on his existing deal, though is no closer to a formal contract renewal per Italian reports. They’ve offered €8m annually (£6.9m) but his agent Mino Raiola hasn’t accepted their proposal – with Lille goalkeeper Mike Maignan on their radar as a possible replacement and he’s interested. Continue reading
Analysis: Arsenal duo Omari Hutchinson, Miguel Azeez sparkle in Friday’s FA Youth Cup win
If there was great pride seeing Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith-Rowe dismantle Slavia Prague to help Arsenal reach the Europa League semi-finals for the third time in four seasons last week, two players in particular shone 24 hours later during FA Youth Cup action and will certainly believe they can be next to emulate them in the first-team proper: sooner rather than later. Continue reading
Only £100m? No chance: David Moyes’ defiant Declan Rice stance speaks volumes
David Moyes’ weekend comments on captain Declan Rice were both refreshingly bullish and shed light into an intriguing subplot as the season continues to unfold. While a lot of fanfare has covered Tomas Soucek’s rise, Jesse Lingard’s immediate impact and an unlikely but very real European qualification charge, the England international has proven a dependable constant. Continue reading
Sevilla signing Alejandro Gomez has no regrets, ready for new challenges
After it was confirmed earlier this week that Atalanta captain Alejandro Gomez was joining La Liga side Sevilla – rather than another Serie A rival – in a cut-price deal worth up to £7m, comments aplenty have emerged about the move. Teammates, former boss Gian Piero Gasperini and Papu had their say as he prepares for another of Europe’s top five leagues.
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Stefano Pioli: Fikayo Tomori has interesting qualities, but needs time to settle
After his loan deal from Chelsea was complete, centre-back Fikayo Tomori was named in Milan’s matchday squad but didn’t feature during their 3-0 home defeat by Atalanta over the weekend. His new head coach, Stefano Pioli, praised his intelligence and said the 23-year-old has interesting qualities, though a lack of training with them means he’ll need time to settle in Italy. Continue reading
Italian clubs circle around Atalanta’s unsettled star Alejandro Gomez
Atalanta captain Alejandro Gomez is expected to depart next month after a well-documented row with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini that has only worsened with time and unsurprisingly, has courted interest across Italy. Inter, Roma and Napoli are three league-chasing rivals linked as Serie A leaders Milan appear to have pulled out of the race for the 32-year-old forward. Continue reading
UEL MD3 Group Stage Previews: Tottenham, Villarreal and Leicester in action
A look ahead to three group stage fixtures from MD3 as the Europa League continues on Thursday. Villarreal host Maccabi Tel Aviv, Tottenham hope they can atone for their embarrassment in Antwerp against Ludogorets before Premier League rivals Leicester hope to follow up their emphatic 4-1 win over Leeds in a big home clash against Portuguese side Braga. Continue reading
Europa League MD2 Group Stage Previews: Leicester, Leverkusen and Tottenham feature
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A look ahead to three group stage fixtures from MD2 as the Europa League continues on Thursday. Bayer Leverkusen are among the sides targeting successive UEL victories when they travel to Sparta Prague next, while Premier League sides Leicester and Tottenham hope to build on slender top-flight victories away from home comforts in Greece and Belgium respectively. Continue reading
Europa League Group Stage Previews: Bayer Leverkusen, Arsenal among those in action
A look ahead to three contrasting group stage fixtures from MD1 as the Europa League returns on Thursday. Last year’s quarter-finalists Bayer Leverkusen welcome Nice back to the competition after a two-year absence, Arteta’s Arsenal travel to Austria with Rapid Vienna first up while Maccabi Tel Aviv host Qarabag. Which players will impress this week? Continue reading
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