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The 2024/25 UEFA Europa League matchday took place over the last two days and saw some surprising results: Manchester United drew with Twente at Old Trafford, while Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham won 3-0 against Qarabag in their first home game of the European campaign. . Here are the winners and losers of the round:
Winner: Jose Mourinho
The Portuguese coach started his Europa League season well, as Fenerbahce won 2-1 against Union Saint-Gilloise. Mourinho’s side performed positively, scoring twice with defenders, opener Caglar Söyüncü and Christian Burgess’ own goal before Ross Sykes’ goal before the final whistle gave the visitors something to cheer about. Mourinho’s side needed a win to respond after the disappointing 3-1 defeat to Galatasaray in the Istanbul derby last weekend.
Winners: Lazio
Marco Baroni’s team won 3-0 against Dynamo Kiev and convinced many after a good victory thanks to a coupling from former Salernitana man Boulaye Dia and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s goal. The Biancocelesti endured a challenging summer of major changes, as former key players Luis Alberto, Felipe Anderson and captain Ciro Immobile all left the club, while Baroni replaced former manager Igor Tudor, who replaced Maurizio Sarri at the end of March. The former Verona manager has started a new cycle this season and despite some initial problems, it seems he is starting to figure things out after a solid European debut.
Losers: Manchester United
Erik ten Hag’s side are the favorites to win the tournament, but things are not looking good after the 1-1 draw against Twente in their opening match in the competition. Despite Christian Eriksen’s opening goal, the away team managed to find the equalizer at Old Trafford with Sam Lammers and once again showed how this team cannot be consistent throughout the season.
Winner: Ivan Juric
The 1-1 against Athletic Club was not the result he wanted, as the Spaniards only scored their goal in the last minutes of the match at the Stadio Olimpico, but new AS Roma coach Ivan Juric can certainly be satisfied with his first two goals. matches after replacing former captain and icon Daniele De Rossi. Under his leadership, the Giallorossi won 3-0 against Udinese on Sunday and then drew against Ernesto Valverde’s Athletic, one of the best teams in the competition. A good start that can make the Croatian manager smile for the future.
Loser: Radu Dragusin
Despite Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham’s 3-0 win at home to Qarabag, former Genoa player Radu Dragusin was sent off seven minutes into the match. Dragusin becomes the first player to be sent off on his debut in major European competition for Tottenham, while his seventh-minute red card is the first for Spurs from the start of a major European match.
Wednesday September 25
AZ 3, IF Elfsborg 2
Bodo Glimt 3, Porto 2
Anderlecht 2, Ferencváros 1
Dynamo Kiev 0, Lazio 3
Galatasaray 3, PAOK 1
Nice 1, Real Sociedad 1
Ludogorets 0, Slavia Praha 2
Midtjylland 1, Hoffenheim 1
Manchester United 1, Twente 1
Thursday September 26
Malmö 0, Rangers 2
Fenerbahce 2, Union Saint-Gilloise 1
Roma 1, Athletics Club 1
Ajax 4, Besiktas 0
Braga 2, Maccabi Tel Aviv 1
Lyon 2, Olympiacos Piraeus 0
Eintracht Frankfurt 3, Viktoria Plzen 3
Tottenham 3, Qarabag 0
Steaua Bucharest 4, Rigas Futbola Skola 1