It has been a rather positive Europa League first leg for the Italian and English teams. Inter confirmed the positive run winning for 0-1 away against Rapid Wien thanks to a Lautaro Martinez's penalty. Over all the team looked well despite the chaos created by Icardi these days and looks like the team is much more unite now having Handanovic as captain. He did also a very important save in the second half. They are still working on it but looks like the new Spalletti's Inter has a right mind set now. Perisic, Nainggolan and Politano are also getting back on form. Good news for Luciano!
Different story for Lazio which faced the solid Sevilla without Immobile and Milinkovic Savic but no excuses. Marusic and Caicedo had the chances to at least score a goal but they have missed them so this is what leaves hopes for the Biancocelesti in the second leg. The negative 0-1 result was made possible by the Wissam Ben Yedder goal at 22'. Somehow we think if Immobile will be on the pitch in the second leg some magic miracle might happen. Again the Lazio's defensive line showed their limits. Tare and Lotito should really work on this for the future.
Superb performance by Ancelotti's Napoli! A very convincing 1-3 victory against Zurich which only scored a goal on penalty with Benjamin Kololli at 83' when the Partenopei were already leading 0-3. Insigne at came back to score at 11' - finally after a very long time- thanks to a complete gift of the goalkeeper Brecher who let the ball slipping far from his feet so Lorenzo was well placed to get the easy assist from the right. Really we cannot see this in a Round of 32 of Europa League but well that happens. Callejon(21') and Zielinski(77') did the rest in pure coral Napoli style. The Quarter Finals are already in the pockets!
Despite the 1-0 defeat by Arsenal against Bate Borisov still we believe the Gunners will hit back and succeed in the second leg. Unlucky and imprecise the Emery's team. Too many chances wasted with Lacazette and company unable to even score a goal. So the BATE did it in one of the very few chances they had thanks to a Stanislaw Drahun's header at 45'. The cross came from a free kick on the right flank. The Arsenal defenders should have done much better. Gunners will have to be focused 100% in their home game. We are positive about them getting the next stage! Good luck Gunners!
Sarri. The man in the eye of the storm after one of the heaviest defeats in the Chelsea's history (6-0 against Manchester City in the Premier League). At least looks like the EL path is going better. Ross Barkley(30') and Olivier Giroud(58') can give some quietness to the Blues supporters even if the did let Malmo scoring the 1-2 goal with Anders Christiansen at 80' and it was widely deserved because they did have their share of chances but Arrizabalaga and many deflections from Chelsea's defenders managed to stop the opponents attempts. The result should be fair enough for Sarri to get the next phase. But watch out! The Malmo is fresh and competitive!
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