Manchester United secured a home win over Anderlecht in the Europa League quarter-final second leg.
In regulation time, the teams repeated the result of a week ago in Brussels: Sofian Anni answered the goal with an accurate shot. The winner was determined only in additional time... The decisive blow is in the account.
Note that two players of Manchester United could not finish the game at Old Trafford due to injuries: they left the field in the first half, and got injured at the end of the second half.
It came to extra time in the match between Schalke and Ajax. The Dutch club had won a landslide victory a week earlier (2: 0), but in Gelsenkirchen the Dutch champions failed to maintain a solid advantage. In regulation time, Goretzka and Burgstaller equalized the score in the confrontation, and in the extra time Daniel Caligiuri scored the goal, leading Schalke to the semifinals. However, “Ajax”, who remained in the minority after the removal of Yoel Veltman, managed to avoid defeat in the second extratime after two meetings. Due to the goal scored away, the club from Amsterdam moved on. Finally, all questions about the outcome of the confrontation on last minute extra time was filmed by Amin Younes.
Schalke - Ajax. 3: 1. Nick Virgever
Europa League. ¼ final. Return matches
(1:1, 0:0, 0:0)
Goals: Mkhitaryan, 10 (). Rashford, 107 (). - Annie, 32 ().
The Lyon defense decided to take a day off and chose the Europa League semi-final for this. Looking at how easily Ajax scores, how easily creates moment after moment - it was hard to believe that these teams are of the same class and level. Only the guests' goalkeeper Anthony Lopes could partially compensate for the collective clouding of the minds of his defenders - he would have claimed the title of player of the match, had his team not missed four goals. And Lyon started the match well and even had a full-fledged scoring chance when Cornet did not score after an excellent combination involving Jalle and Tusar. However, the rest of the first half, the guests frankly failed - “Ajax” did not create any particular difficulties for the French, and nevertheless was able to score two goals, taking advantage of the gross mistakes of the Lyons. First, a completely unforgivable foul at this level was committed near his own penalty Morel - Ziyech made a sharp serve, and Traore only slightly touched the ball, which would have dropped into the far corner of Lopes' goal without it. And soon the goalkeeper of “Lyon” together with the defender Diacaby “brought” the second ball - an unsuccessful removal of the goalkeeper, the loss of Diacaby's position - and now Dolberg already has a one-on-one way out, which he implements. Guests could get the third goal in the first half - but Lopes saved then “Lyon”, reflecting the blow of Younes from close range. In the second half of the game, the defense of the guests began to play even worse, although it was difficult to imagine that this was possible. Tusar made a mistake, losing the ball in his half of the field, and “Ayaxids” ran away three in two - Younes beat from the goalkeeper's border, and Lopes did everything he could, but the ball still crossed his goal line. The only player in the Lyon attack who played the match at his level - Mathieu Valbuena - was able to score a "prestige goal" when the Ajax defense played unsuccessfully, but soon Traore restored the crushing score, closing the transfer of Ziyeh - with the complete connivance and center of the guests, and Rafael, who has just come on as his replacement. The rest of the match was some kind of crazy festival of missed chances and disregard for defensive play - and this time on the part of both teams. More moments had “Ajax”, with their counterattacks over and over again tearing apart the unintelligible constructions of the guests. It's a miracle that Lyon hasn't missed it yet, and the name of this miracle is Lopes. The goalkeeper of the French team kept the score of the match more or less decent, but the Lyons' chances in the return match did not get any better.
Background.
The Europa League semi-final match between Ajax and Lyon took place on Wednesday - an unusual day for the calendar of the second most important European competition. This change in the schedule was due to the fact that one of the most important national holidays is celebrated in Holland on this day - the Day of Remembrance, dedicated to the memory of those who died in military conflicts of the 20th century. Ajax's road to the semi-finals was very difficult. In the 1/16 finals, “Ayaxids” with great difficulty overcame the resistance of the Polish “Legia” - after an away draw (0: 0) the Dutch still managed to snatch victory in the home match thanks to the only goal scored by defender Nick Virgever. At the next stage of the tournament, the team of Peter Bose was opposed by “Copenhagen”, and again everything was decided by the advantage of one goal - after the defeat at a party with a score of 1: 2, “Ajax” won at home (2: 0), and winning goal striker Kasper Dolberg scored from the penalty spot. The quarterfinals with Schalke became a real thriller - after the home victory (2: 0), in the return game, Ajax missed two unanswered goals in regulation time and the teams went into overtime, and the Ajaxids were forced to play in the minority due to removal Veltman. In extra time, the rivals scored as many as three goals for two, but two of them were scored by the Dutch. In the national championship, Ajax continue their battle for the title, four points behind the leader of Feyenoord. The last game the Amsterdamites spent April 23, losing to PSV with a score of 0: 1, and last weekend they did not play due to a break associated with the Dutch Cup. In today's match, Peter Bose could not count on two key defenders - Joel Veltman and Nick Virgever earned disqualifications after the game with Schalke. Lyon made their way to the semi-finals in an even brighter manner than Ajax. In the 1/16 finals, Bruno Genesio's team did not leave a stone unturned from another Dutch club - “AZ Alkmaar”, the two-legged confrontation with which ended with a total score of 11: 2. At the next stage, “Lyon” played with the formidable “Roma” - in the first game, the French won back, losing 1: 2, and achieved the score 4: 2 in their favor, and in the return meeting they withstood at “Olimpico” (1: 2). As in the case of Ajax, the quarterfinal match between Lyon and Besiktas was not limited to the main time - its outcome was decided by a penalty shootout. Until now, the French club had no luck in the penalty spot - the club thus lost in 2005 in the Champions League quarterfinals in a match with PSV, as well as APOEL in 2012 in the 1/8 finals of the Champions League. Nevertheless, this time luck was on the side of Genesio's charges. However, in a duel with “Besiktas”, “Lyon” suffered a significant loss - top scorer team Alexander Lacazette, on account of which 30 goals this season, was injured, and could not start at the start of today's game. It is also worth noting that the Europa League for Lyon is important not only as a trophy, but also as a way to qualify for the Champions League - in the French championship, Genesio's team lost their chances of getting into the Champions League, as they lag behind Nice, which is in third place. by as much as 20 (!) points.
The course of the match.
The teams began the match at a calm, “exploratory” pace - the Ajax players had more possession of the ball, but rolled it mostly in their own half of the field. However, on occasion, the opponents scared each other with high pressure on the narrow half, not allowing each other to relax. Ajax supporters diligently booed Lyon players as soon as they tried to build their own attack. At the 10th minute, the guests still managed to create a full-fledged scoring chance - Luca Tusar on the right flank played a “wall” with Christophe Jallet and shot from the endline into the center of the goalkeeper's - Maxwell Cornet got there faster than anyone else, and his toe kick was only volitional fortune was able to reflect and transfer to the corner goalkeeper of “Ajax” Andre Onan. The hosts responded mainly with counterattacks - so, in the 12th minute after breaking through to the gate of “Lyon” from afar Matthijs de Ligt decided to break through - Anthony Lopes took his strong shot in his gloves. On the 21st minute, after the goal kick, the guests were able to win a rebound in a foreign half of the field - the ball was picked up by Nabil Fekir, moved to the penalty area and inflicted long-range shot- however, it turned out too weak. Morel broke the rules on Dolberg in the 24th minute - “Ajax” got the right to a potentially dangerous standard near the right corner of the penalty area. Aminu Ziyeh performed an excellent twisted serve from his left foot to the goalkeeper's, where Bertrand Traore only slightly touched the ball, but still ferried it to the far corner. 1: 0! At the 27th minute, Kenny Tete hung into the penalty area from the depths - Dolberg jumped high, but his header did not hit the target. In the 30th minute, Ziyeh found free space on the left - he beat Jalle beautifully and shot, but Nkulu was reliable and cleared the ball. Soon de Ligt was awarded a yellow card for a rough foul in midfield. In the 34th minute, the guests made a childish mistake - Lopes, having received a pass from the defender, knocked the ball out, but not far away - Traore won the horse fight and gave a pass to Dolberg - Diacaby lost his position, and the Ajax forward went one-on-one and easily converted your chance. 2: 0! In the 39th minute, the guests were able to earn a free kick dangerously close to the gate, but Valbuena played it so badly that it became clear that Lyon needed a break to emotionally and psychologically recover from an unsuccessful first half. Soon Gonalon earned a yellow card for a foul that thwarted a quick attack, “Ajax”. In the 42nd minute, Morel made a one-touch pass to Fekir, who entered the penalty area at an acute angle and hit the bottom corner - however, Onana was reliable, correctly selected a position and took the ball in his hands. A minute later, Younes almost used the failure of “Lyon” in the center of defense - the striker, after an excellent perepasovka with Klassen, jumped one on one with Lopes, but the goalkeeper of the guests saved his team.
At the beginning of the second half, Genesio's team conceded one more time. Tusar lost the ball in his own half, Ziyech immediately made a pass to the left edge of the penalty area, from where Younes shot into the near corner - Lopes seemed to be dragging, but the ball still bounced off the line from his hands. Defender “Lyon” brought the ball into the field, but the side referee still recorded a goal. 3: 0! At the 52nd minute good moment was at Fekir - he removed de Ligt on the swing and shot from within the penalty area, but Onana was in place, pulling the ball out of the far corner. “Lyon” rushed to attack after the third conceded ball - Christophe Jallet was especially zealous on the right flank. But his own zone became especially vulnerable to counterattacks - Dolberg broke through the edge, reached the penalty area and inflicted a strong beat- Lopes hit the ball with difficulty. In the 58th minute, Luca Tusar left the field - the player did not best match and was responsible for Ajax's third goal. He was replaced by Rashid Gezzal. In the 62nd minute, the yellow card was awarded to Bertrand Traore - he was punished for a rough foul against Tolisso. A couple of minutes later, Traore distinguished himself again - this time in a constructive manner - shifted to the right into the penalty area and hit the goal - Lopes deftly folded and made a save. In the 66th minute, Valbuena reclaimed one goal for Lyon. Jalle performed another cross from the right flank, Schöne unsuccessfully fought off the shell with his head to the border of the penalty area, where Valbuena processed it, met no resistance and shot into the left nine, with no chance for Onana. 3: 1! In the 69th minute, Fekir got another scoring chance - Gonalon and Gezzal played a combination in the center, the center def of “Ajax” unsuccessfully rushed to intercept the pass, and Fekir went one on one, but Onana was able to stop his pass. Soon the second substitution took place at “Lyon” - Raffael came out instead of Jalle. And a moment later he became the indirect culprit of the next goal - Klassen threw the ball to the left flank, from where Ziyech performed a cross without much resistance from Rafael - in the center of the goalkeeper Lyon again had a gaping void, and Traore scored a double from close range. 4: 1! Soon some madness began on the field - the teams completely spat on the defense. At one point, Gezzal manages to make another exit to the gates of others, and Onana saves after his blow, and then after Rafael's shot. A second later, “Ajax” answers - Ziyech breaks through from the left, beats the goalkeeper, but his cross does not find a partner, and in the next attack Dolberg and Younes go two-on-one, but the latter spoils everything with a bad shot. In the 77th minute, Klassen struck from the border of the penalty area - Lopes hit the ball in a jump, flying into the right nine. In the 79th minute, Kluivert came out instead of Younes, and Schöne left the field a little earlier - he was replaced by Donny van de Beck. Lacazette appeared at Lyon, replacing Cornet. Another counterattack of “Ajax” three in three took place in the 81st minute - Traore, Dolberg and Ziyeh could not bring it to mind and earned only a corner. At the end of the match, “Ajax” began to often break the rules in their own half of the field, and the guests got the opportunity to break through several standards, but they never got anything from them. In the 88th minute, Kasper Dolberg left the field and was replaced by David Neres. On the 2nd added minute, after Klassen's penetrating pass, Neres jumped out to the gate, but Lopes saved, and a few moments later he made a save after Ziyeh hit from a lethal position. At the last minute, Lyon gave a corner, and Lacazette, forgotten by the defenders of Ajax at the far post, hit, but could not get into the goal.
The best player match - Bertrand Traore.
The Ajax striker scored a double - but he could have distinguished himself even more, had he been more careful in implementation. In the first half, Traore, with a barely perceptible touch, sent the ball into the net after Ziyeh served from the free kick, and in the second forty-five minutes he closed the cross of the same Ziyeha, skilfully avoiding the goalkeeper's guardianship.
Very soon in all leading European football championships the winners will be determined and everyone will go on vacation. But the main matches of this year will be held in late May and early June. These are, as you might have guessed, the Europa League and Champions League finals. Now more and more football fans are wondering where the Europa League final in 2017 will take place? We have all the information on this issue, which we are happy to share with you.
The final of the UEL 2016/2017 is the culminating duel between the two the best teams, who have come a long way to the second strongest club tournament in Europe. This year's Europa League final will take place at Friends Arena, Sweden on 24 May. There is very little left, namely, to find out the names of the lucky ones who will be able to get to the main match of the tournament. Glory and big prize money are at stake. Therefore, the fight for tickets to the finals promises to be hot.
A little about the main arena
Friends Arena in Solna was opened on November 14, 2012 with a friendly match between the national teams of Sweden and England. After that, the Swedish national team began to play all their games at this stadium.
The stadium can simultaneously accommodate 50,000 spectators. In addition, thanks to the retractable roof, the arena can be converted into an indoor concert hall with a capacity of up to 70,000 people.
Who has the best chance of winning the 2016/2017 Europa League final?
The name of the winner will be announced on May 24, 2017. However, bookmakers, fans and football experts have already made their predictions, revealing the clear favorites of the tournament. The best chances to win the Europa League are Manchster United, Roma, Lyon. But as history shows, anything can happen in football, and clear favorites are often left behind.
It is worth noting that in this LE draw, the Spanish "Sevilla" will definitely not win the tournament, as they did in the last three seasons. Let us remind you that this year the Andalusians perform in more prestigious tournament called - the UEFA Champions League.
2017-2018 UEFA Europa League Final will be the 47th draw of this tournament and 9th in a row since the UEFA Cup was renamed the Europa League. The competition is considered the second most prestigious club competition football tournament"Old World" after the Champions League, and it is attended by teams from the European championships, who took the corresponding places at the end of last season in their national leagues, as well as cup winners and clubs that lost in the 3rd and the Champions League playoff round.
The winner of the LE will be entitled to play against the winner of the Champions League in the match for the UEFA Super Cup, and will also become the owner of a direct ticket to group stage Champions League next season.
Final UEL 2018: when, where and at what stadium will be held
On December 9, 2016, at a meeting of the UEFA Executive Committee in Nyon (Switzerland), it was decided to give the right to host the 2018 UEFA Europa League final to the Parc Olympique Lyonne stadium in France (also known as Lumiere). The arena has a capacity of 59,186 spectators and is the third largest stadium in France after Parc des Princes and Velodrome.
The local club Lyon plays their home matches at the stadium. In addition, the UEFA EURO 2016 final was played here, as well as semi-finals and finals are planned. women's championship world soccer 2019 and some matches of the summer Olympic Games 2024 year. It is also sometimes used for rugby and hockey matches.
May 16, 2018 was chosen as the date for the final match. As in the tradition of previous years, the start of the match is scheduled for 20:45 Moscow time. In 10 days it will be played decisive game Champions League, and the participants in the 2018 UEFA Super Cup will be finally announced.
Past winners
In the last UEL draw in the final game, English "Manchester United" and Dutch "Ajax" met. As a result, the Manchester club turned out to be the strongest, beating the Amsterdam players with a score of 2: 0.
And this is how the list of the last 10 finals of the Europa League looks like
- 2016/17 - Manchester United 2-0 Ajax
- 2015/16 - Sevilla 3-1 Liverpool;
- 2014/15 - Sevilla - Dnipro 3: 2;
- 2013/14 - Sevilla 0-0 Benfica p.s. 4: 2;
- 2012/13 - Chelsea 2-1 Benfica;
- 2011/12 - Atlético 3-0 Athletic;
- 2010/11 - Porto 1-0 Braga;
- 2009/10 - Atlético 2-1 Fulham;
- 2008/09 - Shakhtar - Werder Bremen 2: 1;