LONDON (REUTERS) - Dinamo Zagreb sealed a playoff berth in the Europa League knockout stages after a stunning early goal from Mislav Orsic gave them a 1-0 win at a second-string West Ham United in Group H on Thursday (Dec 9). West Ham had already secured top spot and an automatic last-16 berth while runners-up Dinamo will face one of the third-placed teams dropping down from the Champions League. Orsic again shone against Premier League opposition in Europe's second-tier competition after netting a hat-trick in Dinamo's memorable 3-2 aggregate win over Tottenham Hotspur in last season's knockout rounds. The winger beat West Ham's reserve goalkeeper Alphonse Areola with a dipping shot from the edge of the penalty area into the top corner, delighting a handful of away fans at London stadium. Areola did well to keep out two long-range efforts from Luka Ivanusec and another by Orsic as Dinamo dictated the game and were rarely troubled by the home side. Red Star Belgrade, the 1991 European Cup winners, clinched Group F with a 1-1 draw at Portugal's Braga who finished second at the expense of third-placed Midtjylland who could only manage a 0-0 stalemate at Ludogorets. Wenderson Galeno fired Braga ahead when he converted a 52nd-minute penalty before Aleksandar Katai replied with his own spot-kick, sending goalkeeper Matheus the wrong way after defender Radovan Pankov was fouled. Midtjylland, who needed a win for a top-two finish, will go into the third-tier Europa Conference League where they will meet one of the runners-up for a last-16 berth. Earlier on Thursday, Napoli secured a playoff berth with a thrilling 3-2 home win over Leicester City in Group C which sent the Premier League side from first to third in the standings and out of the competition. Spartak Moscow topped the group with a 1-0 victory at Legia Warsaw.
LONDON (AFP) - Napoli sent Leicester crashing out of the Europa League as the Italian side advanced to the knockout stages with a 3-2 win in a dramatic conclusion to Group C on Thursday (Dec 9). Leicester were top of the group going into the final round of matches, but Brendan Rodgers' team were condemned to an unwanted place in the Europa Conference League after the defeat in Naples dropped them to third place. Napoli had blown a two-goal lead as Leicester hit back to level by half-time, but Eljif Elmas's second goal of the game won it for the hosts after the interval. Spartak Moscow finished top of the group after a 1-0 win at Legia Warsaw, secured by Zelimkhan Bakaev's 17th-minute goal. Leicester would have salvaged their Europa League place if Legia's Tomas Pekhart hadn't missed a stoppage-time penalty. Napoli ended in second place, two points ahead of Leicester, and will feature in the Europa League knockout round play-offs in February. Continuing a disappointing season for the FA Cup holders, Leicester now have the unwanted burden of playing in the knockout play-off round of Europe's least glamourous club competition when it resumes in the new year. "I've got to be honest I don't even know what the competition is," Rodgers said of the Europa Conference League. "I was focused on the Europa League and winning this group and at the very least finishing second. But I am sure we will find out soon enough." Seven Leicester players and three staff members missed the trip to Italy, with Rodgers revealing both positive Covid-19 cases and other illnesses had depleted his squad. He was still able to name eight of the team beaten by Aston Villa last weekend, in contrast to Napoli, who are in the midst of a major injury crisis which deprived them of Victor Osimhen, Kalidou Koulibaly, Lorenzo Insigne and Fabian Ruiz. Despite their fitness issues, Napoli took the lead in the fourth minute as Adam Ounas marked his first start for the club since 2019 with a clinical low strike from just inside the penalty area. Napoli struck again in the 24th minute when Andrea Petagna beat Leicester's offside trap and squared his pass to Elmas, who slotted past Kasper Schmeichel with ease. Leicester rocked Jonny Evans gave Leicester hope when he fired home after Napoli failed to clear James Maddison's 27th-minute free-kick. Rodgers' men blew a 2-0 lead in a draw against Napoli in September and it was Napoli's turn to squander that advantage this time. Evans' first goal in Europe for eight years was followed in the 33rd minute by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's maiden goal for Leicester. Maddison's free-kick was only cleared to the edge of the area, where the 23-year-old midfielder smashed a superb volley into the bottom corner. But Napoli regained the lead in the 53rd minute as Elmas lashed home from Giovanni Di Lorenzo's cross. Maddison hit the post from just six yards moments later as Rodgers held his head in frustration. Real Sociedad secured second place in Group B with a 3-0 win against PSV Eindhoven, who drop into the Europa Conference League. Mikel Oyarzabal netted a 43rd-minute penalty and scored again in the 62nd minute before Alexander Sorloth struck in the final moments after Ibrahim Sangare's red card for PSV. Group B winners Monaco were held to a 1-1 draw at Sturm Graz. Group A winners Lyon lost their 100 per cent record in this season's competition after a 1-1 draw against second-placed Rangers. In Group D, first-placed Eintracht Frankfurt drew 1-1 at third-placed Fenerbahce, while second-placed Olympiakos lost 1-0 against Antwerp.
PARIS (AFP) - A new-look Tottenham slipped to a 1-0 defeat at Pacos de Ferreira of Portugal in their Europa Conference League play-off first leg on Thursday (Aug 19). Coach Nuno Espirito Santo made 11 changes to the team that defeated champions Manchester City in their Premier League opener at the weekend. Not surprisingly, it was a disjointed performance by the Londoners who were again without England star Harry Kane. Three of Tottenham's summer signings started the game - goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini, defender Cristian Romero and winger Bryan Gil. Teenagers Nile John and Dane Scarlett were handed chances to shine while identical twins Michael and Matthew Craig were on the bench. Lucas Silva struck the only goal on the stroke of half-time for the home side. The 23-year-old Brazilian striker, signed from Flamengo last year, nipped in behind the Tottenham defence to slot home the chance. In Turkey, former Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho enjoyed a winning start with Roma as the Italian side edged out Trabzonspor 2-1. Mourinho fielded three new signings in his team and it was one of those, Eldor Shomurodov who grabbed the winner. With 10 minutes left, the Uzbek striker, signed from Genoa in the summer, was fastest to react when a header from Gianluca Mancini came back off the post. Lorenzo Pellegrini had given Roma a 55th-minute lead when Henrikh Mkhitaryan, another new arrival, played in the decisive pass. The Turks were level 10 minutes later when substitute Andreas Cornelius headed in just moments after replacing Gervinho. More on this topic Related Story Football: Kane to miss Tottenham's Europa Conference League match amid transfer talk Related Story Football: Pep Guardiola laments Man City's inefficiency in opening-game loss to Spurs "This is not a Conference League level opponent, it felt more like a Champions League play-off," Mourinho told Sky Sport Italia. "They have a lot of experienced players. There was pressure and if anyone thought this would be easy, they were mistaken." Elsewhere, Colombian striker Luis Sinisterra scored a hat-trick as 1970 European Cup winners Feyenoord trounced Elfsborg of Sweden 5-0. In the Europa League play-offs, Greek champions Olympiakos closed in on the group stage with a 3-0 home win over Slovan Bratislava. Mady Camara, Pape Abou Cisse and an own goal from Vasil Bozhikov secured the victory. Galatasaray, defeated in Champions League qualifying by PSV Eindhoven, drew 1-1 at Randers who were only sixth in the Danish league last season. Antwerp endured a tough start to their campaign, losing 4-2 at Cypriot champions Omonia Nicosia. Scottish champions Rangers edged out Alashkert of Armenia 1-0 at Ibrox having played the entire second half with 10 men following a red card for John Lundstram.
GENEVA (REUTERS) - The next four Champions League finals from 2022-2025 will be hosted by St Petersburg, Istanbul, London and Munich respectively, European soccer's governing body Uefa said on Friday (July 16). The Krestovsky Stadium in St Petersburg was scheduled to stage the 2021 final. However, due to the postponement and reallocation of the 2020 final to Lisbon because of the Covid-19 pandemic in Europe, the final hosts were pushed back by a year, with St Petersburg now hosting the 2022 final. Istanbul, which lost the 2021 final hosting rights to Porto to allow a limited number of fans to attend the match, will instead stage the showpiece game in 2023. Munich, originally scheduled to be the venue for the 2023 final, will now host the match in 2025 while London's Wembley Stadium will retain the rights for the 2024 final. Bilbao and Dublin, who were unable to stage matches at this year's European Championship, agreed a settlement with the Uefa executive committee and will host the Europa League final in 2024 and 2025 respectively. Bilbao will also host the women's Champions League final in 2024. "We were all disappointed when the Covid-19 pandemic saw the four Uefa Euro 2020 games moved away from Dublin so this really is something to look forward to just three years from now," Football Association of Ireland chief executive Jonathan Hill said in a statement. "The 2024 Uefa Europa League final will be a landmark event with huge economic benefits for Dublin and for Ireland along with the boost it will give our game in the build-up to the final." Next year's Europa league final will be played in Seville, with Budapest set to host the 2023 title decider for the second-tier European club tournament. More on this topic Related Story Football: BeIN pays about $600m for Uefa football rights Related Story Football: Chelsea shatter dream of Guardiola’s Man City to win Champions League final
GDANSK, POLAND (REUTERS) - Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hopes that winning the Europa League would be the start of "something more" for the club. United take on Spanish side Villarreal in Wednesday's final in Gdansk, looking to win their first trophy since a Europa League success under Jose Mourinho in 2017. Having finished second in the Premier League this term - their highest finish in the Norwegian's three seasons in charge - Solskjaer is aiming even higher as he looks to restore United to their former glories. "These are big nights for us, it might be the stepping stone for something better to come," Solskjaer told a news conference on Tuesday (May 25). "It is a bright future for this team, a young team, it's a team we've rebuilt over the last few years. Hopefully, this is the start of something more. "When players sign to play for Man United, they sign to win trophies. They accept the challenge of being the best, because this is the best club in the world so that's the pleasure of the pressure of Man United." Former manager Alex Ferguson, who won 13 Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues during his United tenure, travelled with the team to Poland. Solskjaer is looking to lead United to glory 22 years to the day since his winner in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich completed an historic treble under Ferguson, and the Norwegian welcomed the presence of the club's most successful coach in Poland. "He's a special man and he's like an encyclopaedia of football, even though I got him on a quiz question yesterday," Solskjaer added. "One of the players got the answer before him, I'm sure he's not happy at that. "Just to have him around when we eat, if the players wonder about something they can ask him, he's always available for a chat because this is the club of his heart. "I hope he enjoys tomorrow night because I owe most of my career to him and this club." However, Solskjaer remained tight-lipped on captain Harry Maguire's fitness. The 28-year-old sustained ankle ligament damage at Aston Villa 16 days ago and was using crutches until last week. "We've prepared well," Solskjaer said. "Anthony (Martial) didn't make it, Phil (Jones) of course didn't make it and Harry is just going to jog up and down the sideline (in training on Tuesday). "He'll probably try to join in (training) a little."
ROME (REUTERS) – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reached a major final as Manchester United manager for the first time after a 3-2 defeat to AS Roma at the Stadio Olimpico was enough to earn his side an 8-5 aggregate win in the Europa League semi-finals on Thursday (May 6). United will face Villarreal in the final in Gdansk on May 26 after the Spaniards beat Arsenal 2-1 on aggregate. Solskjaer had lost his last four semi-finals during his Old Trafford reign and despite Thursday’s defeat in Rome, the Norwegian’s side progressed comfortably thanks to last week’s commanding 6-2 first leg win. “It’s a great achievement to get to the final. We didn’t win the game and that’s disappointing but we did the hard work in the first leg,” United captain Harry Maguire told BT Sport. “We started the game a bit edgy. It was end-to-end like basketball and we gave them too many chances in second half. Now we’ve got to go to the final and win it.” Edinson Cavani fired home a powerful finish after 39 minutes to open the scoring, but Roma found the net twice in the space of three second-half minutes through Edin Dzeko and Bryan Cristante to turn the game on its head. United had goalkeeper David de Gea to thank for not going further behind as the Spaniard produced a string of superb saves. Cavani headed the visitors level but 19-year-old debutant Nicola Zalewski’s shot took a big deflection off Alex Telles to beat De Gea as Roma secured the win on the night – but it was United who were left celebrating at the final whistle. “We had some great European nights this season, with some big wins. It’s a pity for that second half in Manchester,” Roma midfielder Bryan Cristante told Uefa. “Tonight we still had a few goals to score, but we exit the competition with our heads held high.” Solskjaer’s team had tripped up in the semi-finals of two League Cups, the FA Cup and the Europa League since he succeeded Jose Mourinho in December 2018, but another exit never looked likely in the Italian capital. Earlier this week Mourinho, who led United to their last trophy by winning the Europa League in 2017, was surprisingly named as Roma’s new coach from next season. More on this topic Related Story Football: Scrapped Man United-Liverpool game rearranged for May 13 Related Story Football: Manchester United to punish fans who committed criminal acts in Glazer protests Hence the hosts started like a team with a point to prove. De Gea superbly denied Gianluca Mancini from point-blank range, Henrikh Mkhitaryan headed into the side-netting and Dzeko drew another smart save from the Spanish goalkeeper. But United grew into the game and came close when a clever Cavani lob clipped the top of the bar, before a powerful shot from the Uruguayan was saved by Antonio Mirante. The visitors took the lead soon after, when a Fred pass sent Cavani racing through on goal to fire home. Roma drew level in the 57th minute when Dzeko headed in from close range, and Paulo Fonseca’s side quickly completed the comeback when Cristante scored from the edge of the area three minutes later. De Gea produced a superb double save on a Dzeko header and Pedro shot, before blocking a Mkhitaryan effort from point-blank range. United survived the onslaught and drew level after 68 minutes when Cavani headed home a Bruno Fernandes cross, but Roma soon threatened again as Mkhitaryan’s shot thumped the foot of the post. Substitute Zalewski made an immediate impact when his volley caused the Roma winner on the 83rd minute, but it went down as a Telles own goal after taking a heavy deflection. Joy for Villareal's Emery Villarreal, meanwhile, held out for a 0-0 draw on a nerve-jangling night at Arsenal, as visiting manager Unai Emery returned to haunt the London club that sacked him in 2019. The Spanish side, who had lost their four previous European semi-finals, one to Arsenal in the 2005-06 Champions League, protected their first-leg advantage with a disciplined display. Arsenal, who now face the prospect of having no European football next season for the first time in 25 years, looked flat and never managed to exert any sustained pressure. Arsenal's Pablo Mari looks dejected after the match against Villarreal. PHOTO: REUTERS “We are devastated, really disappointed,” said Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, who was dealt a blow in the warm-up when Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka was injured and had to be replaced by full back Kieran Tierney. “But we congratulate Villarreal. I think we deserved to win the game but the details define these ties. The way we started in Villarreal wasn’t good enough.” It was a desperately disappointing night for Arsenal that began with a large group of fans again demonstrating against the club’s American owner Stan Kroenke and ended with Spaniard Arteta facing increasing pressure over his future with Arsenal languishing in ninth spot in the Premier League. More on this topic Related Story Football: Henry says Spotify CEO Ek contacted Arsenal owners for takeover offer Related Story Football: Spotify CEO says he has 'secured funds' to buy Arsenal from owner Kroenke His misery contrasted sharply with the mood of Emery who now takes the so-called Yellow Submarine to Poland on May 26 with the chance to win his fourth Europa League having done so three times in a golden period with Sevilla. “I’m very proud, Arsenal are a very good team but I think we deserved it,” he said. “We made a very serious match, we all helped each other, we defended very well and sometimes with the possession we controlled the match.” Looking ahead to the final he said: “It will be very difficult but we deserve to play this final and we will show our supporters our best performance again.” Worthy winners Emery’s canny Villarreal side were worthy winners over the two legs although they rode their luck on a couple of occasions at The Emirates on Thursday when Arsenal skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang twice hit the post. The Gabon striker thumped a volley against the upright in the 25th minute, although that was a rare Arsenal chance in a first half in which they showed an alarming lack of intensity considering the prize on offer. Aubameyang then went even closer after the break when his header from Hector Bellerin’s cross hit the inside of the post and somehow did not spin across the line. Emile Smith Rowe also lobbed the ball narrowly wide for the Gunners while Rob Holding saw a header flash past the post. More on this topic Related Story Football: Arteta 'extremely happy' at Arsenal, dismisses links to Barcelona Related Story Football: Arteta holds 'positive' Aubameyang talks, but captain not certain to return But the Spanish visitors were calm and composed in possession and might have put the tie to bed had Gerard Moreno made more of a glorious chance early in the second half instead of shooting straight at Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno. Villarreal’s players celebrated loudly at the final whistle after surviving five minutes of stoppage time. “Tonight I’m crying tears of emotion instead of disappointment,” said Villarreal youth product Pau Torres, now 24, who admitted crying when he watched the 2006 Champions League semi-final defeat by Arsenal. “Villarreal have missed out on so many semi-final chances to reach the final but now, finally, we’ve done it.”
LONDON (AFP) - Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has revealed his family were scared by his weight loss after he contracted malaria while on international duty in March. The Gabon forward missed four games following the diagnosis after a feeling of lethargy left him questioning the cause. He returned off the bench in the Europa League semi-final first-leg defeat by Villarreal last week and is in line to start the return game, having scored in Sunday's Premier League win at Newcastle. But the 31-year-old has only now revealed how a sudden drop in weight and change in mood had his relatives worried about his health. "I was feeling very, very bad," he said on Wednesday (May 5). "This was the worst moment of being sick in my life because it was really hard. "I had three days in a row, fever, all day and all night, non-stop. Even the paracetamol and stuff had no effects on this. After that, I spoke to the doctor. "I said I needed to go to the hospital because I had travelled to Africa so maybe it was something like malaria. "I stayed in hospital for three days. I was really, really down and I think I lost four kilos. It was a really bad moment and I think my family was a bit scared to see me like this." Aubameyang, who signed a new three-year contract in September, has struggled for form this season and was given a period of compassionate leave to visit his sick mother, before being dropped for the north London derby win over Tottenham after arriving late. The bout of malaria then followed but Aubameyang, who said Thursday's crunch game with Villarreal at the Emirates Stadium was "maybe the start of the season" for him personally, is aiming to return to form at just the right time. The forward hit a hat-trick when Arsenal beat Valencia in the second leg of a Europa League semi-final two years ago under Unai Emery, whose Villarreal side now stand in the way of a second final in three years for the Gunners. More on this topic Related Story Football: Arsenal's Aubameyang hospitalised with malaria Related Story Football: Arteta says Aubameyang is 'totally' committed to Arsenal Villarreal hold a slender 2-1 advantage from the first leg at El Madrigal, where Nicolas Pepe's penalty gave Arsenal what could prove to be a crucial away goal. The winners would almost certainly face Manchester United, who won the first leg of their semi-final against Roma 6-2. Arsenal have not played Champions League football since 2017 but winning the Europa League would take the club back into the elite competition next season.
VILLARREAL, SPAIN (REUTERS) - Villarreal claimed a narrow advantage in their Europa League semi-final against Arsenal with a 2-1 home victory in the first leg on Thursday (April 29), although they will feel frustrated at letting the London club off the hook. First-half goals by Manu Trigueros and Raul Albiol put the Spanish club in command and it looked bleak for the visitors when Dani Ceballos was sent off just before the hour mark. Arsenal were rocking and needed keeper Bernd Leno to avoid them slipping further behind but they were thrown a lifeline when Nicolas Pepe converted a 73rd-minute penalty. A chaotic game took another twist as Villarreal were also reduced to 10 men when former Tottenham Hotspur player Etienne Capoue received a second yellow card. Villarreal, coached by former Arsenal manager and Europe League specialist Unai Emery, maintained their 100 per cent home record in the competition this season. But the tie remains delicately balanced ahead of next week's return in London.
PRAGUE (REUTERS) - Arsenal cruised past Slavia Prague 4-0 to book a Europa League semi-final spot on Thursday (April 15) after they struck three quick-fire goals in seven first-half minutes to advance 5-1 on aggregate. Alexandre Lacazette scored twice, including a penalty, while Nicolas Pepe and Bukayo Saka also found the net in the quarter-final second leg to set up a last-four clash with Villarreal. Arsenal, surprisingly held to a 1-1 home draw by the Czech champions, signalled their intent from the start as they pressed forward to create chances while Slavia struggled to move the ball out of their own half and rarely threatened in attack. "I feel like in the first leg we played really well but didn't take our chances," Arsenal's Saka told BT Sport. "The way we pressed, they couldn't get out and the control we had over the game, the movement, the rotations, they couldn't stop us." The visitors opened the scoring in the 18th minute when Pepe drove a shot home from a pass by Emile Smith-Rowe, who had a goal disallowed for offside minutes earlier after a VAR review. Lacazette then coolly slotted in a spot-kick after 21 minutes after Czech midfielder Jakub Hromada bundled over Saka. Arsenal struck again three minutes later when Saka cut inside a defender and fired a low shot past keeper Ondrej Kolar. Lacazette netted his second of the night in the 77th minute when he latched onto Pepe's cross before jinking away from two defenders to create some space to beat the Czech keeper. Arsenal, who ended Slavia's 21-match unbeaten streak at home in all competitions this season, next face their former manager Unai Emery's Villarreal side who beat Dinamo Zagreb 2-1 on the night and 3-1 on aggregate to reach the semis. Slavia, who made four changes after the break, were without defender Ondrej Kudela who was serving a 10-match Uefa ban for "racist behaviour" in their Europa League last-16 match against Scottish side Rangers last month. The home side, who beat Leicester City as well as Rangers en route to the quarter finals, reached the end of the road against an Arsenal side that pressured the Czechs all over the pitch. "They were better today by every measure," Slavia coach Jindrich Trpisovsky told reporters. "They scored with their chances and we lacked better movement to be more successful in the attack."
MADRID (AFP) - Marcus Rashford's brilliant finish and a Bruno Fernandes penalty handed Manchester United a 2-0 victory over Granada on Thursday (April 8), putting them firmly in charge of their Europa League quarter-final first leg. Rashford latched onto a long ball from Victor Lindelof in the first half, the striker injecting one bit of quality into a frantic contest at Los Carmenes before Fernandes made it two in the 90th minute after being elbowed by Yan Eteki. The result gives United a commanding lead heading into the second leg at Old Trafford, where they should finish the job and book their place in the semi-final to face either Ajax or Roma. Rashford has now scored eight of United's 23 goals in this competition. Granada celebrated their 90-year anniversary on Tuesday and arguably have never played a bigger fixture, a club that has never won a major trophy against one that has claimed 20 Premier League titles and three European Cups. This is something of a fairytale for the Spanish club that finished 10th in the second division only three years ago before Diego Martinez, arguably La Liga's brightest up and coming coach, engineered promotion and then qualification for Europe. Six players in their starting line-up played for Martinez in the second tier and with Los Carmenes empty, Granada even sent all their season ticket holders a personalised ticket as a souvenir to mark the occasion. For United, the Europa League remains Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's only realistic hope of a trophy and with a place in the top four all-but guaranteed, he can afford to give it his full attention. Solskjaer fielded a strong line-up, with Rashford handed a start despite coming off against Brighton on Sunday with a knock. David de Gea was picked in goal for the first time since February. Granada had Roberto Soldado up front, the 35-year-old striker who endured two disappointing seasons with Tottenham in the Premier League but tasted victory against United in his last appearance for them in 2014, when he came off for a young Harry Kane. United had to survive a frantic opening period when neither side really settled but Rashford dropped the first bit of real quality into the match just after half an hour. Lindelof spotted his run in behind but Rashford still had a lot to do, his outstretched foot cushioning the ball brilliantly into his path and giving him a simple finish past Rui Silva. Granada responded, a mishit cross hitting the post before Kenedy tested De Gea with a well-struck volley. But United absorbed the pressure and should have scored a second in the second half when Daniel James burst through down the left and slipped in Fernandes, but he was unable to find the finish from the angle. Fernandes, though, won the penalty, struck down by the arm of Eteki before getting up to take it, a scuffed shot squirming into the bottom corner to put United in sight of the semis.
MADRID (REUTERS) - Real Madrid's Champions League quarter-final first leg at home to Liverpool in April will not have to be moved abroad after the Spanish government said on Tuesday (March 23) it would lift restrictions on flights from Britain at the end of this month. The restrictions began in December over concerns about a British strain of Covid-19 and forced Atletico Madrid to play the home leg of their last-16 tie against Chelsea in Bucharest. Real Sociedad had to face Manchester United in Turin rather than their home city of San Sebastian for their Europa League last-32 first leg. But Spain's government has now said the restrictions will come to an end on March 30, meaning Real can welcome Liverpool to their Alfredo di Stefano training ground on April 6. Granada can also host Manchester United in their Europa League quarter-final first leg at the Spanish club's Nuevo Los Carmenes stadium on April 8. Atletico lost their 'home' leg against Chelsea in Bucharest 1-0 and were knocked out 3-0 on aggregate, while Real Sociedad were hammered 4-0 by Manchester United in Turin, eventually exiting the Europa League by the same scoreline on aggregate. Other countries imposed similar restrictions on travel from Britain leading to Manchester City and Borussia Moenchengladbach moving both legs of their last-16 encounter to Budapest with Liverpool and RB Leipzig doing the same for their tie. More on this topic Related Story Football: Bayern to face PSG, Real Madrid v Liverpool in Champions League last eight Related Story Football: Bayern beat Lazio to reach Champions League quarter-finals
LONDON (REUTERS) - Tottenham Hotspur closed in on a place in the Europa League quarter-finals as Harry Kane scored both goals in a 2-0 home win against Dinamo Zagreb on Thursday (March 11). The England captain was in the right place to convert a rebound in the 25th minute and he gave his side some insurance to take to Croatia next week with a second after the break. It was an efficient display from Jose Mourinho's side as they claimed a fifth successive win in all competitions. A hard-working Dinamo, who had won their last six matches in the competition, could have made a dream start when Mislav Orsic ran through on goal in the opening minute but shot tamely. After that Tottenham were generally in command with Kane's 25th and 26th goals of the season enough to make them firm favourites to reach the last eight. The only worry for Tottenham, who face Arsenal in the north London derby on Sunday, was the sight of Kane having an ice pack applied to his knee after he was substituted late on.
LONDON • Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers shouldered the blame for his side's shock exit from the Europa League after Thursday's 2-0 home loss to Slavia Prague but vowed to "fight to be better next year". Rodgers, who was without injured midfielder James Maddison and banned striker Kelechi Iheanacho, left 13-goal Harvey Barnes on the bench for the first hour, while Youri Tielemans was deployed in a more advanced position. His decisions failed to pay off but he revealed the competition was never his top priority as a strong Premier League finish and an FA Cup run are more important. With the score tied at 0-0 from the first leg in Prague, Lukas Provod and Abdallah Sima scored in the second half at the King Power Stadium to put the Czech side into the last 16. "It's my responsibility. I pick the team to try to get the result and that clearly didn't work as well as I would have liked," said Rodgers, who also dropped Timothy Castagne and Ricardo Pereira to the bench. "We've changed the team often because we've carried injuries all year... we had to find a way to freshen up the team. "I would still expect us to do better but when you're missing the players we are, that's going to affect the quality of your game." Leicester had only lost once in this calendar year and were among the favourites to have a deep run at the tournament. But the Czech leaders, unbeaten in the Czech First League after 20 games, proved too much for a side that lacked the inspiration of 11-goal forward Maddison and Barnes. The Foxes never seriously tested Ondrej Kolar, with only Cengiz Under's early low cross troubling the goalkeeper. Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel told LCFC TV: "I think we have to be brutally honest with ourselves, look over two legs, the better team won, which is a shame... We're still in two competitions, we're still fighting in two big competitions, so that's got to be our focus now." 5 Brendan Rodgers has never progressed from the Europa League's round of 32 in five attempts as manager. Former Liverpool and Celtic manager Rodgers has now been eliminated from all five of his Europa League knockout ties in the last-32 stage. "We have to learn from it," said the Northern Irishman, who yesterday celebrated his second anniversary at Leicester. "We'll get back in, move on and we've enjoyed the European experience and we want to fight this year and be better next year." The Foxes, behind second-placed Manchester United in the Premier League only on goal difference on 49 points, host Arsenal tomorrow. REUTERS
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND (REUTERS) - Manchester United eased into the Europa league last 16 after a 0-0 home draw with Real Sociedad on Thursday (Feb 25) completed a 4-0 aggregate win over the Spanish side in their round of 32 clash. With one eye on Sunday's Premier League clash against Chelsea, United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer started striker Marcus Rashford and defender Harry Maguire on the bench. Sociedad missed a 13th-minute penalty as Mikel Oyarzabal blazed his spot-kick wide before a lethargic United came to life and Bruno Fernandes rattled the crossbar with a swerving shot from 15 metres. Modibo Sagnan hit the woodwork for Sociedad with a close-range header shortly after the break before United substitute Axel Tuanzebe had a goal disallowed for Victor Lindelof's foul on Jon Bautista. Fernandes made way for Rashford at the interval but United largely went through the motions in the second half as they kept the visitors at bay, with striker Anthony Martial enduring another frustrating evening.
LONDON (REUTERS) - Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur had Europa League last-32 games moved to different venues on Friday (Feb 12) after Covid-19 regulations made travelling to and from their opponents' countries impossible to manage. Both legs of Arsenal's tie against Benfica have been moved to neutral venues due to travel restrictions in the United Kingdom with respect to arrivals from Portugal. The first leg, which was due to be played at the Estadio Da Luz on Feb 18, has been moved to Rome while the second leg will be played in Athens at Olympiakos Piraeus' ground a week later. Arsenal's home leg on Feb 25 was moved because Portugal is on Britain's "red list", which means those arriving from the country must self-isolate for 10 days, with no exemptions for elite athletes. "Uefa can confirm that the Uefa Europa League Round of 32 second leg match between Arsenal and Benfica will now take place at the Stadio Georgios Karaiskakis in Piraeus, Greece," European soccer's governing body said in a statement. Spurs said their first leg away to Austrian side Wolfsberger will now take place in Budapest, Hungary next week. "The new Puskas Arena... will host the match as Covid-19 regulations in Austria mean we can no longer play at the Worthersee Stadion in Klagenfurt," the London club said. Manchester United's Europa League last-32 game at Real Sociedad has been moved from San Sebastian to Turin due to Covid-19 travel restrictions in Spain that prevent the English side from entering the country. Liverpool's Champions League first leg away to RB Leipzig on Feb 16 has been moved to Budapest as a result of travel restrictions in Germany, as has Manchester City's first leg at Borussia Moenchengladbach on Feb 24. More on this topic Related Story Football: Champions League, Europa League games moved out of Spain Related Story Coronavirus microsite: Get latest updates, videos and graphics Related Stories: Related Story Merkel acknowledges making mistakes in Germany's coronavirus pandemic fight Related Story France recommends single Covid-19 vaccine dose for those previously infected Related Story Don't let S'pore's anti-virus efforts go to waste during CNY celebrations Related Story Japan receives first batch of Covid-19 vaccine, courtesy of Pfizer Related Story New Covid-19 cluster found after wife, older son of Chinatown Complex shop owner test positive Related Story 3 SIA passenger flights to Melbourne converted to cargo-only after city enters 5-day lockdown Related Story Trump was sicker than acknowledged with Covid-19 when he was hospitalised in October Related Story The coronavirus pandemic emptied Europe's cities. What will bring people back? Related Story S'porean households got $2,000 in Covid-19 support per member on average in 2020 Related Story First SIA flights with crew fully vaccinated against Covid-19 depart Singapore
LONDON (AFP) - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said he would be happy to switch to one-off European fixtures given the complications of two-legged ties during the coronavirus pandemic. After being knocked out of the Champions League in the group stage, Manchester United kick off their Europa League return against Real Sociedad next Thursday. Old Trafford will host the return leg of the round-of-32 clash but the first fixture will be played in the Italian city of Turin rather than San Sebastian due to Spanish restrictions on travellers entering the country from England. Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool will all play the first leg of their Champions League last-16 ties at neutral grounds, while both matches between Arsenal and Benfica in the Europa League have been moved. "With Europe, of course that's what we hope, that it's going to be sustainable," United manager Solskjaer said on Friday (Feb 12). "Different governments, the travel in Europe at the moment is difficult as you all know and it's not a decision that we made. "But when one game is at a neutral venue it's a disadvantage, of course, for the team that doesn't have the home game. "But that's out of our hands, it's nothing that we can say 'OK, we'll just meet in Turin and play one game'. I wouldn't mind that at all, one game less." Following the shutdown of football last March due to Covid-19, UEFA completed the Champions League in Lisbon over single-legged ties from the quarter-finals onwards. Germany hosted the conclusion of the Europa League using the same format, with Manchester United bowing out in the semi-finals to eventual winners Sevilla in Cologne. "That's what we did last season," Solskjaer said. "We met somewhere neutral and made it a tournament. "Of course home and away if we are going to keep that going. "We do have a little advantage. It's a disadvantage for Sociedad, of course, to have their home game in Turin." Solskjaer's immediate focus is Premier League matters as second-placed United travel to Sam Allardyce's embattled West Brom on Sunday. Paul Pogba will miss the trip to the Hawthorns and the coming weeks with a thigh injury but Eric Bailly has returned to training following Tuesday's 1-0 extra-time FA Cup win against West Ham. "We've had a rare opportunity to do a little bit of training and actually some recovery because you've got Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and then not a game until Sunday, so that's been a rarity for us really," Solskjaer said. More on this topic Related Story Football: City eye revenge over Spurs, United hoping to regain momentum at West Brom Related Story Football: Champions League, Europa League games moved out of Spain