Europa League: Atlético, Celtic and Udinese unsuccessful
Before the third game week of Europa League next Thursday, all the European opponents of Stade Rennes conceded the draw last week-end.
The next visitor at the Stade de la route de Lorient, Celtic Glasgow gave itself a big scare last Saturday in Kilmarnock. Trailing 0-3 at the hour-mark, the Hoops managed to equalize in only seven minutes (3-3). The forward Anthony Stokes scored a braxe in three minutes (73’ and 76’), with a first goal scored on a brilliant free kick, and the defender Charlie Mulgrew scored the last goal four minutes later (80e).
An extraordinary reversal of the situation which saved the appearances for a team in difficulty in its own championship. Since the Rangers also drew, the damages remains limited, even though the Celtic is distanced by the second, Motherwell, winner in the same time in Hibernian (1-0).
- The team against Kilmarnock: Forster - Cha (El Kaddouri, 68’), Majstorovic, Mulgrew, Matthews - Forrest, Ki, Kayal (Wanyama, 46’), Ledley - Stokes, Hooper (Bangura, 46’).
In Spain, Atlético Madrid also experiences difficulties in its championship. In Granada, a team struggling in the relegation zone, the attack of the Colchoneros remained desperately inoffensive (0-0) and this situation starts to draw many critics from the Spanish press. During the last seven matches, the Atlético ended five times a game without scoring any goal. Its two victories 4-0 against Santander and Gijon are saving the appearances however.
Goalless since four matches, the star striker Falcao wasn’t saved from the critics. « Clumsy » against Grenada, according to Marca, the Columbian delivered a very poor game against the Andalusians, and was even substituted in second half.
- The team against Grenada: Courtois - Juanfran, Miranda, Dominguez, Filipe - Tiago (Assunção, 56’), Mario Suarez (Adrian, 56’), Gabi - Diego, Falcao (Pizzi, 74’), Reyes.
Finally on Sunday, the Udinese didn’t succeed either. During a depressing afternoon in Serie A (6 games played for only 2 goals scored and 5 matches ending on a 0-0 score), Udine didn’t enhance the balance sheet by conceding a goalless draw on the ground of struggling side Atalanta Bergamo.
The Udinese even ended the game with ten players on the ground, after the expulsion of Pinzi just after the hour of the game. Without any inspiration, the Udinese can thank its Slovenian goalkeeper Handanovic for his numerous saves.
- The team against Bergamo: Handanovic - Benatia, Danilo, Domizzi - Basta, Isla, Pinzi, Asamoah, Neuton - Torje (Abdi, 66’), Di Natale (Flores, 82’).