On a big night of Europa League action, we saw some great events unfold on Thursday as three of the matches are in the balance but Manchester United took a firm grip of their tie against Granada — taking a two-goal lead back to Old Trafford. In the other ties, there were victories for Roma and Villarreal while Arsenal drew with Slavia Prague.
With the second legs due to take place next Thursday the 15th , the players, coaching staff and fans can absorb the highs and lows of the first legs, and in the calm light of day prepare for the next instalment. Nothing is settled yet, so take a look at the SBOTOP odds and our tips, news and updates over the next few days.
In the meantime here are the big takeaways from the four first legs.
The Pressure is Off Fernandes at United
Granada 0-2 Manchester United
The latest Europa League 2021 betting odds pitch Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester United as favourites to win the tournament, and on the evidence of this match they are the team to beat. The Red Devils have been overly reliant on Bruno Fernandes since his arrival at Old Trafford 14 months ago, but they are learning how to thrive when the Portuguese star has a quiet game. Paul Pogba, who has had his ups and downs, is currently on the up, playing with renewed commitment and showing the quality that has never been in doubt. He left his mark on Granada winger Kenedy with a brutal challenge, with just eight minutes gone, but that didn’t slow the Frenchman down as he stamped his authority on the game.
And upfront the ever sharp Marcus Rashford was on hand to pick up a long ball from Victor Lindelof, bring it under control, and fire it past Rui Silva to make it 1-0. That goal meant Rashford became the first Manchester United player to score eight goals in European competition since Bobby Charlton in 1965.
Fernandes had a quiet night, but he still got on the score-sheet with a late penalty to put the Red Devils firmly in charge.
Dutch Need Courage in Rome
Ajax 1-2 Roma
Ajax blew a lead tonight at the Amsterdam Arena, and they head to the second leg in Rome with an uphill task ahead of them.
The Giallorossi have been stuttering of late in Serie A, following up a defeat to Napoli with a 2-2 draw with Sassuolo — a result which left them outside the automatic European qualification places in seventh. So Roma really need to win this competition to qualify for next season’s Champions League. But towards the end of an evenly contested first half, they were undone by a classy Ajax move, which ended when Dusan Tadic fed Davy Klaasen who slotted his shot low into the left corner of Roma’s net.
Lorenzo Pellegrini levelled for Roma with a free-kick early in the second half but only after Ajax skipper Dusan Tadic had a penalty saved, and Roger Ibanez made the Dutch pay heavily with a late winner.
Slavia Eye Another Premier League Scalp
Arsenal 1-1 Slavia Prague
In one of the big Europa League 2021 results of the knockout phase, Slavia Prague knocked out Premier League high flyers Leicester City in the Round of 32. And tonight, they held Arsenal to a first-leg stalemate at the Emirates in an explosive finish.
The Gunners came into the game on the back of a humbling 3-0 defeat to Liverpool, and head coach Mikel Arteta said he hoped that would be the ‘slap in the face’ his team needs to re-ignite their season. Arsenal certainly had the better of the first half with plenty of time on the ball and chances to go ahead, but Alexandre Lacazette blasted over when he had time to pick his spot and Bukayo Saka spurned a great opportunity when he had a one-on-one with the keeper.
Lacazette hit the crossbar early in the second half and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed a late chance but then, with four minutes left he slotted a great ball through for Pepe to score. Arsenal celebrated but they were quickly deflated when Tomas Holes headed a 93rd-minute equaliser.
Another slap in the face for the Gunners!
Hotshot Gerard Lifts the Yellow Submarine
Dinamo Zagreb 0-1 Villarreal
Villarreal take a one-goal lead back to Spain after a clinical performance in Zagreb.
Gerard Moreno is La Liga’s
Ajax celebrate after scoring their only goal of the night
joint second-highest scorer this season with 19 league goals, alongside Luis Suarez and with only Lionel Messi ahead on 23. He came close with an effort midway through the first half but, when Kevin Theophile-Catherine handled in the penalty area Gerard slotted home the spot-kick to give Villarreal a priceless lead going into the second leg.
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