Europa League: Celtic struggles, Udinese and Atletico get back on the rails

As the first game week of the Europa League’s group phase is approaching, it is – among all the teams in group I – Stade Rennes who made the worst result this week-end in its league.

The next opponent of the « Rouge et Noirs », Celtic Glasgow didn’t exactly shine in front of their home supporters however. After easily winning in Edinburgh against Hibernian in the League Cuo last Wednesday (4-1), the Hoops could not reproduce their performance at home against the same team this Saturday (0-0).
This draw is not really welcome for the Celtic in the Scottish league, since they are being distanced further both by the Rangers and Motherwell, both winners in the same time.

- The team against Hibernian : Forster - Wilson, Rogne, Mulgrew, Matthews - Forrest, Kayal (Wanyama, 71’), Ki (McCourt, 71’), Ledley - Stokes, Hooper (Samaras, 83’).

In Spain, close to the implosion after yet another bad display last Thursday, the Atlético Madrid has taken a breath of fresh air by quietly brushing Saragossa aside at the Estadio Vicente Calderon (3-1). At half-time, Madrid had already killed the game with two goals by Adrian (18’, on a header after a cross by Turan) and defender Dominguez (30’, heading a free-kick). In the second half, Adrian hit the target again to make it three (74’, following a back-pass), before Saragossa reduced the score four minutes later.
A crucial victory for the Madrid team and its manager Manzano. The Atlético is back up in tenth position before a very difficult November (including a trip to Levante and a derby against Real Madrid).

- The team against Saragosse : Courtois - Silvio (Perea, 66’), Godin, Dominguez, Filipe - Gabi, Mario Suarez (Tiago, 77’) - Adrian, Diego (Koke, 86’), Turan - Falcao.

Finally, after its defeat in Napoli during the week, Udinese came back to winning ways by coldly beating Palermo at the Stadio Friuli (1-0). The unavoidable Antonio Di Natale, recovered from his slight injury, was the only goal scorer of the game, just before half-time (38’). Udinese could have won that game by a bigger margin but had to settle for that score, after missing several clear chances.
A victory – the fifth in nine games this season – largely deserved for the Friuli team which dominated the game all the way. With eighteen points to its tally, the Udinese is still in second place in the league table, one point behind the Juventus.

- The team against Palerme : Handanovic - Benatia, Danilo, Domizzi - Basta, Isla, Pinzi, Asamoah, Armero - Floro Flores (Agyemang-Badu, 67’), Di Natale (Abdi, 89’).