JWSport Jacek Waszak – Sport journalist
Manchester United won 6:2 against AS Roma in the first UEFA Europa League semi-final and are very close to winning the competition. In the other semi-final Spanish Villarreal beat Arsenal London 2:1
Manchester United’s players smashed Roma at home in the first semi-final match of the Europa League. The hosts won 6:2
In the 9th minute. Edinson Cavani made a good pass into the penalty area to Fernandes and he put the ball in the net with an impressive cut-back over Lopez. A moment later, Paul Pogba made a fatal mistake. The Frenchman played a hand in his own penalty area and Lorenzo Pellegrini beat the goalkeeper from 11 metres. By the break it even smelled of a surprise. Pellegrini flat-footed a fifth metre pass to Edin Dzheko and the latter confidently struck into an almost empty goal.
AS Roma in Serie A occupies only the seventh place, losing to the position guaranteeing participation in the European cups eleven “eyes”. The Romans recently suffered two defeats: against Torino 1:3 and Cagliari 2:3, and tied with Atalanta 1:1. After a battle with Ajax Amsterdam, they finally defeated the Dutch team 3:2 and got into the best four of this season’s Europa League.
In the 48th minute, Bruno Fernandes returned the favour to Cavani and assisted the Uruguayan’s goal. The former Napoli striker gave his team the lead a quarter of an hour later.
In the 71st minute, Fernandes scored at 4:2, having taken advantage of a penalty kick. In the 75th minute, another goal for United was scored by Paul Pogba. He was assisted on the goal by Bruno. The score of the match was set by Mason Greenwood.
Villarreal CF – Arsenal FC 2:1 (2:0)
In the second semi-final Arsenal faced Villarreal. The Canaries are failing in the Premier League, they are doing much better in the cups in the UEFA league.
Arsenal played very mediocre football, but were consistent in their pursuit of a goal that would have put them in a much more favourable position ahead of the return leg. Mikel Arteta’s men got it right in the 73rd minute when Nicolas Pepe converted a penalty, but it was awarded for a dubious infringement by a Villarreal player. But that made the return leg in London even more exciting.
Who will ultimately go through to the final, which team, because Manchester United has a large advance and it is clear that is already one foot in the finals. Arsenal has unfortunately a different path but it is possible, or maybe Villarreal. The final will take place on May 26, at 21:00 in Gdansk, Poland. Fans can watch the match from the stands, to be precise 9500 fans including 2000 from both clubs.
Manchester United – AS Roma 6:2 (1:2)
Goals: Bruno Fernandes 9′ and 71′ (k), Edinson Cavani 48′ and 64′, Paul Pogba 75′, Mason Greenwood 86′ – Lorenzo Pellegrini 15′ (k.), Edin Dżeko 34′
Villarreal CF – Arsenal FC 2:1 (2:0)
Goals: Manuel Trigueros 5′, Raul Albiol 29′ – Nicolas Pepe 73′ (k.)
