A new dark day for English football, this time in the Europa League - after the elimination of City, United and Arsenal from the Champions League, very possibly Chelsea too, the Manchester clubs fell in the second most rated European competition!
Admittedly, it's not over yet, the return matches will be played next week, but who expected that - Athletic Bilbao played with Manchester United in the middle of "Old Trafford" and won 3:2, while City unexpectedly fell against Sporting in Lisbon (1:0 ).
On the Island, the Basques played a game that will be remembered for a long time - Marcel Bielsa's boys played with the English champions, who were saved from a heavy defeat by the phenomenal goalkeeper De Gea.
The guests were not disturbed even by an early goal by Manchester (Rooney), in fact only then did the Basque show begin. Llorente in the last minute of the first half, then De Marcos after an action in which half the team participated (admittedly, from offside), and finally Munian after an unbelievable mistake by Rafael, brought Athletic Bilbao to the entrance of the quarterfinals of the Europa League. Hope for the "devils" was saved again by Rooney, from a penalty in stoppage time.
City's defeat in Lisbon is not so tragic, but all the same, Roberto Mancini's company faces a hellishly tough second leg after the goalless defeat at the "José Alvalade" stadium.
- No, this result is not a surprise, everything is possible in football. We didn't play well, but we still should have scored. We are waiting for the rematch - Mancini said after the match.
The injury of Kompany, who left the field in the 12th minute, hurt just as much as the defeat of the City coach.
- I believe it is nothing more difficult - added Manćini, who kept Stefan Savić on the bench for the entire match.
The only goal of the match was scored by Sandao in the 51st minute.
Valencia had an easy 4:0 against PSV at "Mestalja" after an hour of play, and then conceded two goals in the last half hour and complicated the job in the second leg.
Atletico from Madrid also relaxed in the finish, so after 3:0 against Besiktas, they conceded a goal and left hope for the Turks.
The Dutch had a good night - Twente beat Schalke at home, while AZ Alkmar outplayed Udinese.
The away victory was recorded by Olympiakos, against Metalist in Kharkiv (1:0).
Results
Manchester United - Athletic Bilbao 2:3
Rooney 22, 90+2 (penalty) - Llorente 44, De Marcos 72, Muniain 90
AZ Alkmar - Udinese 2:0
Martens 63, Falkenburg 84
Standard Liège - Hanover 2:2
Bujtens 27, Chite 30 - Stindl (penalty) 22, Diouf 56
Valencia - PSV 4:2
Ruiz 11, Soldado 13, 43 (penalty), Pjati 56 - Tivonen 83 (penalty), Wijnaldum 90
Atletico Madrid - Besiktas 3:1
Salvio 24, 27, Adrian 37 - Simao 53
Metalist - Olympiakos 0:1
Foster 50
Sportnig - Manchester City 1:0
Shandao 51
Twente - Schalke 1:0
De Jong (penalty) 61
Gallery
Bonus video:
