Europa League: Celtic wins, Atletico falls, Udinese sinks
While Stade Rennes was knocked out of the Coupe de la Ligue this Wednesday in Le Mans, its European opponents have also known difficult games. These rivals were either involved in their domestic league, or playing League Cup games like their French opponent.
In Scotland, Celtic confirmed its return to form by easily beating Hibernian (4-1) in the quarter-finals of the Scottish League Cup. The club from Edimburgh had scored first, on an own goal by Majstorovic (4’), and was still leading at half-time. However, the Hoops finally made the difference during the second half, with a brace of their winger James Forrest (46’ and 58’), and goals by their forwards Anthony Stokes (64’) and Gary Hooper (69’). Qualified for the semi-finals, the Celtic is now the number one favourite in the competition, the other contenders being Falkirk (D2), Kilmarnock (D1) and Ayr United (D2).
- The team against Hibernian : Forster - Matthews, Majstorovic, Rogne, Ledley - Wilson, Kayal (Wanyama, 70’), Ki, Forrest (Cha, 82’) - Stokes, Hooper (McCourt, 76’).
In a leading position in the Serie A, the Udinese has conceded its first defeat of the season, in a difficult trip to Naples (0-2). After Di Natale had to come off injured, the Friuli defence gave in twice in the first half, on goals by Lavezzi (20’) and Maggio (44’).
With this result, Francesco Guidolin and his men are giving up the league lead to the Juventus, and return to second position, one point behind the Juventus. In a very close league season, they are also seeing the Lazio, Naples and AC Milan catch back on them.
- The team against Naples : Handanovic - Benatia, Danilo, Ferronetti - Basta (Abdi, 85’), Agyemang-Badu, Pinzi, Asamoah (Neuton, 64’), Armero - Torje (Fabbrini, 46’), Floro Flores.
Finally, as opposed to the rest of the teams in the group, the Atlético Madrid was only playing on Thursday night in the Spanish league. On a really bad run of form, the Colchoneros sought at the Estadio San Mamés against Athletic Bilbao (0-3). All three goals were conceded during the last half an hour, under the pouring rain. Spanish international Fernando Llorente was essential in the Basque team’s victory, by scoring a brace in three minutes (68’ and 71’), before Toquero killed the suspense a few minutes later (75’)
With this really poor result, the Atlético is close to a crisis, and its manager Gregorio Manzano seems already threatened. The Madrid team is twelfth in the league standings, far from its pre-season European ambitions, and getting ever close to the relegation zone. In all competitions, the Atlético hasn’t win in seven games for only two goals scored (one of them in Rennes). Another setback at home against Saragossa next Sunday could seal the fate of Manzano.
- The team against Bilbao : Courtois - Silvio, Miranda, Godin, Filipe - Assunção, Gabi - Reyes (Salvio, 57’), Diego (Koke, 80’), Turan - Falcao.