Europa League

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      TNT Sports presenter Jules Breach stuns in bold suit and can barely hide excitement ahead of hometown club’s Europa tie

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      TNT SPORTS presenter Jules Breach stole the show ahead of Brighton’s first-ever game in European football.The Seagulls face AEK Athens at the Amex Stadium in the Europa League as they make their make their footballing bow on the Continent.
      Jules Breach stole the show with her outfit ahead of Brighton’s Europa League clashCredit: https://www.instagram.com/julesbreach/
      Breach is a huge Brighton fanCredit: Instagram @julesbreach
      Roberto De Zerbi’s side will take on AEK AthensCredit: Reuters
      Breach is no stranger to the European calendar, having been a regular on the sidelines of many games over the years.
      However, seeing her hometown club of Brighton feature in the competition nearly three decades after they were nearly liquidated has left the presenter ecstatic.
      Taking to Instagram, Breach shared a story revealing that she was wearing a suitable blue and white suit for the occasion.
      In a column for FourFourTwo ahead of the match, Breach admitted it felt “unreal” to see Brighton in the competition.
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      She wrote: “For the last few years, I’ve had a front-row seat for the Europa League, presenting live matches around the continent, so I’ve seen first-hand how desperate teams are to win it.
      “One of the quirks of the Thursday evening tournaments is that almost every side kicks off their campaign thinking they can go far… 
      “The Seagulls are in Europe for the first time in their history.
      “Roberto De Zerbi has his side playing the finest football Albion fans have ever witnessed, and the Europa League anthem will be blaring out at the Amex.
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      “My goosebumps have goosebumps just thinking about those Thursday nights under the lights.
      “It still feels unreal to supporters who have followed Brighton through thick and thin – from watching them almost fall out of the Football League in 1997, have to groundshare with Gillingham and play at the Withdean, to the here and now, going on a European tour.”
      Breach could also not help but admit she was dreaming of making the final in Dublin.
      She added: “Winning it is obviously the ultimate goal, but the journey, particularly for fans who are living it for the first time, is what it’s all about.
      “This year, you might be travelling anywhere from Gothenburg to Czestochowa (I had to Google them, too), not just Liverpool or Rome.
      “Sure, everybody wants a big knockout tie, but touring some of the most obscure cities almost becomes a more fascinating part of the experience.
      “It’s a chance to go on new adventures and create incredible memories with people who adore the game as much as you. And that’s really why we all love football.
      “The final will be staged in Dublin on May 22. Call me a fantasist, but I can picture it now: teenager Evan Ferguson, born in Bettystown, less than 30 miles from the capital, hits the winner and delivers Albion’s first European trophy.
      “Maybe, maybe not, but for now I can keep dreaming. Watching the Seagulls play in Europe for the first time has ensured one dream has already come true.”
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      Despite Breach’s assertion regarding Evan Ferguson’s possible goal at the end of the journey, he will play no part in the start of the story after being pictured heading down the tunnel due to an illness.
      Brighton are fresh off the back of a 3-1 win over Manchester United, where fans praised Roberto De Zerbi’s style of football.
      Brighton fans can’t contain their excitementCredit: Getty More

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      Brighton 2 AEK Athens 3: Seagulls’ first ever European game ends in heartbreak as Greeks spoil the party

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      BRIGHTON’S big day was ruined as AEK Athens crashed the European party in Sussex.Roberto De Zerbi’s side were given a stark lesson in what is needed to compete at this level as the 13-time Greek champions made the most of a string of defensive mistakes.
      Djibril Sidibe opened the scoring with an outstanding headerCredit: Getty
      Joao Pedro levelled from the penalty spotCredit: EPA
      The striker was awarded the penalty following a VAR checkCredit: Getty
      The day all Seagulls fans have been dreaming of since the end of last season got off to a shocker with an early goal from Djibril Sidibe.
      Joao Pedro scored two penalties either side of Mijat Gacinovic’s first half goal, before Ezequiel Ponce plundered a late winner.
      De Zerbi was without striker Evan Ferguson and captain Lewis Dunk, who will have been devastated to miss such a huge moment in the club’s history.
      Brighton’s story is a wonderful and romantic one, but the Greek champions weren’t content with playing along in the Seagulls’ big celebration.
      Jesus Almeyda’s men were ready to rough up their usually stylish hosts and took the lead through a goal detail-driven De Zerbi will have hated.
      Former Everton full-back Sidibe loitered on the edge of the box unmarked at a corner, drifted in while Kaoru Mitoma was looking elsewhere and powered a superb header into the top corner.
      Brighton did not have their usual control, but a burst of chances brought about the first equaliser.
      Debutant Ansu Fati saw a rasping strike tipped behind by Cican Stankovic. Igor Julio then headed agonisingly wide from the corner.
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      Mijat Gacinovic scored the second for AEK Athens just before half timeCredit: Getty
      Pedro was awarded a second penalty after the breakCredit: Reuters
      He then converted the second spot kickCredit: Getty
      Brighton had settled and were driving forward, forcing their way towards a leveller – though help was needed from VAR.
      Pedro raced into the AEK box down the right and cut back looking to let loose an effort, only to be clipped and brought down by Ehsan Hajsafi.
      Referee Kristo Tohver initially thought he had been deceived, initially booking the former Watford man for diving.
      But a review was ordered and the Estonian official didn’t take long to realise his mistake.
      Having won the spot kick, Pedro converted confidently – firing low and left to claim his place in the Brighton history books with the club’s first ever goal in Europe.
      They may have got things going at the sharp end, but set pieces were still proving a problem for the Seagulls, and Athens quickly struck again – leaving chairman Tony Bloom, the architect of his club’s fairytale, grimacing in the stands.
      Hajsafi, who was later stretchered off with a neck brace following a clash of heads, whipped a deep free-kick over a high Brighton defensive line.
      It sparked chaos as Jan-Paul van Hecke’s attempted clearance deflected off Garcia and onto the outstretched boot of Gacinovic past Steele.
      The second goal was unfortunate, but the first half was a lesson in European street smarts from a far more experienced side.
      But Brighton kept pushing and their new strike partnership of Pedro and VAR came up trumps again after the break.
      The Brazilian striker wriggled past Damian Szymaski in the box and immediately hit the deck.
      Again his appeals were waved away and again a review was needed, replays showing that Szymaski had in fact walloped Pedro on the shin.
      The £30million man again sent the keeper the wrong way, this time finishing to the right.
      He should have won it shortly after too, firing straight at Stankovic when one-on-one either side of chances for Mitoma and Pascal Gross.
      It looked like a dream winner would arrive, but then the hosts left themselves uncharacteristically wide open again as Niclas Eliasson and Ponce were left with just Tariq Lamptey to beat and did so with ease.
      The Seagulls could not make the most of 13 minutes added time, with Simon Adringra, Gross, Solly March and Van Hecke all going close, the final chance being blocked by one of their own in Igor.
      Ezequiel Ponce claimed the winner in the 84th minuteCredit: PA
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      Jose Mourinho told to have dinner with Donald Trump as ex-Man Utd and Chelsea boss makes new bizarre claim

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      JOSE MOURINHO has been told to “have dinner with Donald Trump” after making a bizarre claim.The Roma boss is preparing his side for the start of the Europa League tonight as they head to Moldova to face FC Sheriff.
      Fans have mocked Jose Mourinho after the Roma manager’s bizarre claimCredit: Rex
      Mourinho, 60, led the Serie A side to the final of the competition last season but suffered penalty shootout heartbreak against Sevilla.
      The Portuguese coach was fuming with the match officials afterwards.
      He was hit with a four-match ban for directing abusive language at English referee Anthony Taylor during the game in Budapest.
      Footage then emerged of Mourinho launching a foul-mouthed tirade at the officiating team in the stadium car park as he called their performance a “disgrace”.
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      That was then followed by Taylor and his family being harassed and abused by angry supporters at the airport the following day as they headed back to the UK.
      And it seems that Mourinho is still fuming about that night back in May and is even REFUSING to accept that his team were beaten.
      During his pre-match press conference ahead of taking on Sheriff, he said: “It is a different season to the last, a different competition.
      “I will also continue to say until the bitter end that we did not lose that final in Budapest. Every time people talk to me about it, I will tell them that we did not lose.
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      “Having said that, today we start from scratch and the first objective is to qualify for the next phase.
      “Last year we started the group with a defeat and that complicated matters, having to go through the play-offs, so winning the group would obviously be important.”
      Mourinho’s refusal to accept defeat soon had rival fans taking the mick on social media, with one saying: “Him and Trump should have dinner together.”
      Another tweeted: “Wake up Jose , it is painful but accept defeat.”
      While a fellow fan commented: “Just checked and you absolutely 100% categorically lost that game, Jose. Big style. Let me know if you need anything else.”
      Roma’s hangover from that Europa setback continued into the start of the current campaign.
      They collected just one point from their opening three Serie A matches, but they bounced back in style at the weekend as they thrashed Empoli 7-0 at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday. More

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      Sheriff Tiraspol vs Roma LIVE SCORE: Latest updates, team news as Jose Mourinho’s side face minnows in Europa League

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      ROMA begin their Europa League preparations tonight with a big clash against Sheriff Tiraspol.The Serie A side will be hoping to go a step further than they did last season hen they reached the final but winning it all this time.

      Kick-off time: 5.45
      Stream/TV: TNT Sports 5

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      West Ham vs Backa Topola LIVE SCORE: Latest updates as Hammers back in Europe after Conference League success

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      WEST HAM take on Serbian minnows Backa Topola in the Europa League tonight. The Hammers are months removed from their Europa Conference League success and will be out for more this season, having reached the semi-finals of the competition two years ago.

      Kick-off time: 8pm BST
      Stream/TV: TNT Sports 2

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      Ajax vs Marseille LIVE SCORE: Latest updates from Europa League match as former European Cup winners clash

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      AJAX take on Marseille tonight in a juicy opening group stage match in the Europa League. Both sides are former winners of the Champions League and are in the same group as Premier League side Brighton in Europe’s secondary competition.

      Kick-off time: 8pm BST
      TV channel/Stream: TNT Sports 4

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      LASK vs Liverpool LIVE SCORE: Latest updates from Europa League clash, team news and kick-off time

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      LIVERPOOL kick off their Europa League campaign on Thursday night with a trip to LASK. The Reds make the trip to Austria with hopes of getting their campaign off to the perfect start.

      Kick-off time: 5.45pm BST
      Stream: BT Sport 1

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      Eden Hazard ‘offered shock return to football by European side’ which would see him take on Premier League giant

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      EDEN HAZARD has reportedly been offered a shock return to football with Royale Union Saint-Gilloise interested in making a move. Hazard left Real Madrid this summer after agreeing to terminate his contract with the Spanish giants and is currently a free agent.
      Union SG are reportedly interested in offering Eden Hazard a return to footballCredit: Getty
      And despite being linked with calling time on his career and heading into retirement, Union SG are hoping to change his mind.
      According to AS, the Belgian outfit are interested in taking Hazard on and getting him back out on the pitch.
      The 32-year-old is said to be considering the offer which would see him face up against an old Premier League foe from his days with Chelsea.
      Union SG are in the Europa League where they face Liverpool in Group E alongside LASK and Toulouse.
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      The spectacular offer would also see all three of the Hazard brothers play in the same city in Belgium.
      Thorgan made the switch from Borussia Dortmund to Anderlecht this summer who play their football in Brussels, alongside Union SG.
      Whilst Kylian is also currently playing in the Belgian capital with RWD Molenbeek who were promoted from the Belgium’s second division last season.
      Eden Hazard has been the most successful of the three brothers with an incredible 126 international appearances for the Red Devils.
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      Thorgan Hazard was recently presented as an Anderlecht player after a move from Borussia DortmundCredit: AFP
      Kylian Hazard is playing for RWD MolenbeekCredit: Getty – Contributor
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      But he struggled during his time in Spain with Real where he featured just 76 times across his four year spell with the club.
      As well as considering retirement there has been other offers for the former Lille winger with Crystal Palace also reportedly interested.
      He is said to have rejected a big money offer from the Saudi Pro League during this summer’s transfer window too.
      Hazard failed to live up to his eye-watering £115m price tag at Real MadridCredit: Getty More