Some of Europe’s biggest names were in Europa League action tonight as the teams dropping out of the Champions League were thrown into the mix. And there was some great action though not all of the big names had a good night.
With Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, Napoli and Sevilla all in action there were plenty of goals and not exactly where we expected.
No home comfort for Dortmund
Of all tonight’s Europa League 2022 results the big shock came at the Signal Iduna Stadium where Borussia Dortmund were at SBOTOP odds of 1.37 to beat Scottish league side Rangers, but the Bundesliga’s second placed side blew their chance of a first leg lead quite spectacularly, losing 4-2 and now facing an uphill battle at the Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow where the two teams will meet again.
BVB showed their pedigree in a recent 4th versus 2nd clash away to Union Berlin, winning 3-0, but before that game they were hammered 5-2 on their own turf by Bayer Leverkusen and this latest setback is hardly good preparation for a home game against Borussia Monchengladbach this weekend. The Scots caught their hosts on the hop and were 2-0 up at the break as captain James Tavernier converted a penalty and Alfredo Moreles added a second. Marco Rose named an unchanged side from the 11 which beat Union Berlin, and would have expected to win, but his side were three down when John Lundstrom scored early in the second half. Rangers’ fourth, an own goal courtesy of Dan-Axel Zagadou was sandwiched by strikes from Jude Bellingham and Raphael Guerreiro as BVB kept themselves in the tie with a two goal deficit.
This was not how BVB had hoped their 1,000th gave at the Signal Iduna Park would have panned out, and now Rose has work to do to ensure his side doesn’t make it three home defeats on the run.
Torres is Barca’s best buy
Following his transfer from Manchester City, flying winger Ferran Torres has made two assists in three matches, and in tonight’s 1-1 draw with Serie A pace setters Napoli, he levelled with a 59th minute penalty after Piotr Zielinski had given the Italian side a first half lead. The result gives the Blaugrana a good chance to progress but Luciano Spalletti’s Azzurri must now be favourites.
Cash strapped Barca had a productive January transfer window, bringing in Adama Traore from Wolves and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Arsenal, as well as Torres. All three former Premier League stars started tonight but Torres was the pick of the bunch and he’s certainly hit the ground running. City boss Pep Guardiola might be having second thoughts.
Martial on target for Sevilla
Manchester United exile Anthony Martial scored for his new club Sevilla as the La Liga side took charge of their play-off against Dynamo Zagreb. Ivan Rakitic gave Sevilla an early lead from the penalty spot and, on 41 minutes, Mislav Orsic equalised for Dynamo Zagreb; but then two goals in as many minutes sent Sevilla into half time with a 3-1 lead. Lucas Ocampos converted a sharp chance from a corner and then Anthony Martial clinically finished off a fast break with a low shot into the corner after Papu Gomez had put him through.
A goalless second half meant that Sevilla have a two goal advantage to take to the second leg in Zagreb and they will fancy protecting that. Martial is settling well in his new home and is in a title chase as Los Sevillanos are just four points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid.
Martinez is magic for Porto
Porto vs Lazio pitched together two teams on the edge of the Europa League 2022 betting odds scene, both at 24.00 to win the tournament but each with big ambitions in Europe. And it was Porto who emerged with a first leg lead thanks to a brace from Toni Martinez. The two teams went in level at half time after a well contested first half. The Italians had taken an early lead when Mattia Zaccagni was first to react to a Luis Alberto corner to slot home from close range, but then Martinez levelled when he met a Joao Mario cross with a firm header.
Mario was the provider again when Martinez fired a low shot into the corner for his second, early in the second half, and he could have had a hat-trick moments later but his shot, destined for the top corner, was brilliantly saved by Thomas Strakosha. Porto take a 2-1 lead to Rome.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
