Football action on Thursday in the UEFA Europa League saw several sides edge close to qualification to the next round, others to elimination and to some they are standing on a tightrope.
The second elite continent cup competition in Europe saw entertaining actions on Thursday, dramatic games and expected results.
Manchester United V Sevilla
At Old Trafford, Manchester United surrendered a two goal lead against Sevilla in addition to being bedeviled with injury issues and key players unavailability for the second leg.
Erik Ten Hag’s side took the lead via a goal from Marcel Sabitzer in the 14th minute before the Austrian international doubled the home side’s advantage 7 minutes later.
However, in a game where the Old Trafford side couldn’t bury a lot of chances that fell their way they allowed the Spanish side crawl back into the game via goals from Jesus Navas and an own goal from Harry Maguire.
Integral defender Lisandro Martinez picked up a knock in the game and he most likely wouldn’t be available for selection in the second leg.
Bruno Fernandes picked a yellow card for an handball committed following a shot from outside the box and the Portuguese wouldn’t be available for the second leg of the Europa League clash for accumulating several yellow cards.
It should be a highly competitive game at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan in Sevilla, Spain with both teams intent on progressing to the next round.
Juventus V Sporting Lisbon
At the Allianz stadium in Turin, the Old Lady did the job against Sporting Lisbon in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League encounter via a slim margin as they defeated the Portuguese side courtesy of a goal from Federico Gatti.
It’s all work to be done for Sporting Lisbon at the Estádio Jose Alvalede, Lisboa in Portugal in the second leg but it would be daunting task for them due to the fact that they haven’t defeated Juventus in a competitive encounter ever.
They have faced in three competitive meetings so far with the Bianconeri winning twice and drawing once.
Feyenoord V AS Roma
The side tutored by Arne Slot got the better of AS Roma on their turf, the Stadion Feijenoord, Rotterdam in Netherland.
A goal from Mats Wieffer ensured that the away side would walk away with their heads bowed in discontent after suffering a defeat in Netherland.
It’s all work to be done for Jose Mourinho’s side in the second leg of the UEFA Europa League encounter and Feyenoord know the job is not yet completed.
Bayern Leverkusen V Union Saint-Gilloise
Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen couldn’t get a victory against Karel Geraerts, Union Saint-Gilloise as both sides battled to a 1-1 draw at the Bay Arena in Leverkusen, Germany.
Florian Wirtz netted in the 82nd minute to equalize for the home side after high-flying Nigerian International Victor Boniface took the away side into the lead in the 51st minute.
It is expected to be an heated encounter between the two sides at the Stade Joseph Marien in Brussels in Belgium when they face next Thursday in the UEFA Europa League.
