Europa League

JOSE MOURINHO has aimed a dig at old side Manchester United by claiming it’s ‘not fair’ they’ve dropped into the Europa League.
The Red Devils crashed out of the Champions League after losing 3-2 at RB Leipzig last night, leaving them third in their group behind the Germans and Paris Saint-Germain.

Jose Mourinho says old side Man Utd are one of the favourites for the Europa LeagueCredit: Reuters

The Spurs boss feels its unfair teams from the Champions League drop down for another shot at European title gloryCredit: Rex Features

United now find themselves in familiar territory after reaching the Europa semis last season.
And they could end up facing Mourinho’s high-flying Tottenham later down the line.
The Special One reckons United are now one of the favourite to win the Europa League this term.
But he believes it’s unfair that some clubs who have exited the Champions League get another stab at continental silverware in the Europa.

Mourinho, who led United to glory in the 2017 final, said: “Of course now United become one of the top favourites to win the competition.
“The teams that drop from the Champions League are always strong teams.
“Normally they don’t belong at the level of the Europa League and United is one of the top teams.
“The group was very hard – PSG, United and Leipzig – and we all knew it.

“It was not going to be easy for any one of them and we knew, from that group, a top team would drop into the Europa League.
“It’s a point of principle [disagreeing with third-placed Champions League sides entering the Europa League]. If it happened to my team, I would feel exactly the same.
“It is the way it is and honestly brings more quality to the competition –  we cannot forget that.
“When you have eight new teams in the competition and eight teams that belong to another level, and they drop to the Europa, of course the level of the competition is going to improve.

“No doubts, and when the quality improves, the attention improves. It’s a good thing for the competition.
“But by the sports point of view is where I think it is not fair. A team that doesn’t succeed in one competition drops to another.
“Imagine the third team in the Europa League – now there is another competition – and the third team, instead of finishing, goes to another competition in the hierarchy of European football.
“In football, when for some real we don’t succeed… unlucky, next season. But it is the way it is and is not a problem for me.”
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ARSENAL are on the brink of a crisis after their North London derby defeat to Tottenham at the weekend.
The result left them languishing 15th in the Premier League after 11 games.

Mikel Arteta’s side are on the brink of a crisisCredit: Reuters

Mikel Arteta is likely to heavily rotate his side

But Mikel Arteta’s side have been able to find solace in the Europa League this term, having won five out of five in the competition.
Despite already being through, the Spaniard will be desperate to notch another win when his side face Dundalk on Thursday night, to keep the doubters at bay, at least temporarily.
The 38-year-old is still likely to ring the changes, however, having used the competition as a launchpad for some of his younger talents.
Summer recruit Alex Runarsson, 25, is set for another run out in the competition between the sticks, having appeared three times so far this term.

Cedric Soares will likely replace Hector Bellerin at right-back, while Sead Kolasinac returned from a coronavirus layoff against Rapid Vienna last week and could start again in place of Kieran Tierney.
Pablo Mari marked his return to action with a goal against the Austrians, and will likely step up his recovery with another run-out.
Shkodran Mustafi has been a regular in the Europa League, and could be called upon ahead of Rob Holding – with Gabriel Magalhaes given the night off and David Luiz still recovering from his nasty cut sustained against Wolves.
Mohamed Elneny may return at the heart of the midfield and could be partnered by Dani Ceballos.

Youngster Miguel Azeez may be handed a debut

Pablo Mari made a goalscoring return last weekCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Miguel Azeez has been pushing for a first-team debutCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Teenager Miguel Azeez will be hoping for a debut, having been an unused substitute twice this season.
Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka will be rested, while Joe Willock may be utilised further forward.
Having been suspended in the Premier League, Nicolas Pepe is a certainty to be fielded on the right flank, while Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith-Rowe also vie for Willian’s usual place in the attacking midfield trident.

Eddie Nketiah may be given the nod upfront, although Folarin Balogun could be given a first Gunners start, having scored against Molde from the bench.
Alex Lacazette may be involved, although Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hasn’t featured in the Europa League since matchday one.
Gabriel Martinelli is nearing a return, having featured for the Under-21s in the EFL Trophy this week – but won’t quite be ready for this one.
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Folarin Balogun scored his first Gunners goal against MoldeCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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ROMA’S Europa League clash against Young Boys descended into chaos after Henrikh Mkhitaryan was PUNCHED by Mohamed Ali Camara.
The Guinea defender was immediately shown a straight red card by the referee as players from both sides rushed in to try and defuse the situation.

Mohamed Ali Camara was sent off for punching Roma’s Henrikh MkhitaryanCredit: Reuters

Former Arsenal and Manchester United midfielder Mkhitaryan dropped to the ground after Camara inexplicably punched him in the closing stages of the match.
After Edin Dzeko put the hosts 3-1 up in the 81st minute, the Armenia international was looking to win the ball back from Camara down the right side.
In doing so he was penalised for a free-kick after holding back his opponent, which bizarrely infuriated Camara enough to strike out.
The 23-year-old lashed out by punching Mkhitaryan’s upper chest, much to the frustration and anger of his team-mates who went down to ten men.

Lorenzo Pellegrini then rushed in to the defence of his Roma team-mate, which only added to the red mist of Camara.
Roma’s Amadou Diawara – a compatriot of Camara – then dragged him away with a number of the Young Boys squad to stop him from going at Mkhitaryan again.
The incident capped a disappointing night for the visitors who had taken the lead in the 34th minute through Jean-Pierre Nsame.
But the Serie A side equalised just before the break after Borja Mayoral scored his fourth of the season.

Camara was given his marching orders with Young Boys losing 3-1 in RomeCredit: AFP or licensors

Teenage left-back Riccardo Calafiori – making just his second appearance of the campaign – then put Roma ahead 14 minutes into the second half, before Dzeko secured victory late on.
The result secured top spot in Group A for the Italian outfit, with Young Boys missing the opportunity to qualify for the Round of 32 stage.
However they can still advance beyond the group stage should they get at least a point against at home against CFR Cluj next week.

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MIKEL ARTETA has admitted what many Premier League bosses fear – having 2,000 fans back DOES give a ‘huge’ advantage to the home side.
Arsenal were the first top-flight club to open up to spectators after a nine-month absence and players responded with a storming display which saw them go 3-0 up by half-time.

Mikel Arteta believes having fans in the stadium gives the home side a ‘huge’ advantageCredit: EPA

Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa is among a group of Premier League bosses who fear it will be unfair because not all sides are able to welcome back their fans due to the Covid-19 tier system.
And the experience of Arteta tonight is unlikely to go down well in some quarters.
He said: “It was very special and delighted to have them back – they made a huge contribution.
“They make a huge difference. We had 2,000 but they were loud and they were very supportive with the team and they were really helpful.

“They were very encouraging to the team. And I think Lac [Alexandre Lacazette] was saying here that it makes a huge difference to feel that support and an energy from them.”
Striker Lacazette echoed his boss and added: “It was amazing. They really help us during the game even in some bad moments.”
Gunners team-mate Ainsley Maitland-Niles said: “We’ve waited a long time, it’s a great feeling to have them back. It’s just great to have that sound back and have our 12th man back.”
Lacazette ended a 67-day goal drought with a brilliant opening strike and was one of several players who impressed in the 4-1 win over Rapid Vienna.

And Arteta warned those who have flopped in recent Premier League games could see tonight’s stars keep their place for the North London derby against Tottenham on Sunday.
Arteta said: “The boys wanted it. I could see from the start they wanted it.
“They were hurt from the defeat in the previous game and they showed the attitude and desire that is required to play.
“You’ve seen that in the last few games we use some players on Thursday and they ended right, and they played in a weekend. These can change and these will change.
“You could see tonight that some of them might deserve to start the game on Sunday.”
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The Gunners had 2,000 fans in attendance for the Rapid Vienna match and they certainly made themselves heardCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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