Several interesting posters in Europa League early this Friday morning. Manchester United has rebounded well after its rout against Liverpool (7-0) on Sunday by winning 4-1 at home against Betis Sevilla, unlike Arsenal, hung up in Lisbon by Sporting (2-2), Thursday in the 8th round of the Europa League. On the Italian side, AS Roma took a good option on its ground by dominating Real Sociedad 2-0, and Juventus had more difficulty in Turin against Freiburg (1-0).
Premier League leaders Arsenal had to settle for a 2-2 draw at Sporting Portugal, currently fourth in the league.
A goal by French international William Saliba (1-0, 22nd) preceded Gonçalo Inacio’s (1-1, 35th). After the break, Paulinho gave Sporting a short-lived lead (2-1, 55th) as Hidemasa Morita scored an own goal a few minutes later (2-2, 62nd).
Betis equalized through Ayoze Perez with a superb low cross-shot from the right corner of the penalty area (32nd). Then the Red Devils took the lead and scored three more goals by the Brazilian Antony, with a beautiful curved shot in the top corner (52nd), a header by Bruno Fernandez from a corner (58th) and finally by Wout Weghorst (82nd).
In Turin, Juventus had to settle for the bare minimum against Freiburg, fifth in the Bundesliga. Argentine world champion Angel Di Maria broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute when he took a cross from Filip Kostic from close range.
The Germans thought they had equalized in the 62nd minute through Lucas Holer, but the goal was disallowed for a handball after VAR review. Juventus played without Paul Pogba, not included in the group for disciplinary reasons.
Fenerbahce and Michy Batshuayi were beaten 2-0 by Sevilla on Thursday in the first leg of the Europa League Round of 16. The Red Devil went up to the game in the 67th minute in the stambouliotes ranks. The score was then 1-0 after Joan Jordan scored in the 56th minute. Erik Lamela scored the 2-0 in the 85th minute.
