The Football Faithful
·27 September 2024
The Football Faithful
·27 September 2024
The UEFA Europa League returned this week with the first fixtures of the competition’s new-look league phase.
Lazio outlined their credentials on Wednesday evening with an impressive 3-0 win at Dynamo Kyiv. Marco Baroni’s side have had a mixed start to the Serie A season but cruised to a comfortable win with Boulaye Dia on target twice in an ill-tempered game that saw both teams finish with 10 men.
Bodø/Glimt enhanced their reputation as giant-killers with a 3-2 win over two-time winners FC Porto in Norway. Despite having Isak Dybbvik Maatta sent off on 51 minues, Bodø/Glimt recovered from a goal down to earn an impressive win.
Galatasaray, fresh from victory in the Istanbul derby, continued their superb start to the campaign with a 3-1 win over PAOK, though there was a less encouraging performance from Manchester United, who were held at home by FC Twente.
Thursday’s action saw pre-tournament favourites Tottenham Hotspur open up with a 3-0 win over Qarabag. The North Londoners were another side reduced to 10 men after Radu Dragusin was sent off after just seven minutes.
The Azerbaijan visitors, who due to traffic arrived at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium just 15 minutes before the scheduled 20:00 kick-off, which was postponed until 20:35, missed a penalty and several chances to get into the game. Brennan Johnson continued his hot streak for Spurs, while Dominic Solanke was also on target.
Elsewhere, Ajax thrashed Besiktas in Amsterdam in a fixture that saw Jordan Henderson clash with teammate Bertrand Traore, Rangers won 2-0 at Malmo, and Europa Conference League champions Olympiacos suffered a stuttering start after losing 2-0 at Lyon.
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