This Thursday, at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, in Milan, Milan hosted Roma in a match for the quarter-finals of the Europa League and were defeated 1-0. The visitors’ goal was scored by Gianluca Mancini.
Thus, with the negative result, the team led by Stefano Pioli will be forced to win the second leg by two goals to advance to the next stage. In case of victory by just one, the decision will go to extra time and, in case of a new equality in the aggregate score, the place will be decided on penalties. For Roma, the team has one foot in the semifinals, as they can advance with a simple draw. The winner of the duel faces the winner of the game between Bayer Leverkusen and West Ham.
Finally, the return match takes place next Thursday, at 4 pm (BrasÃlia time), at the Stadio Olimpico, in Rome.
Oh goal
Early on, in the 17th minute, Paulo Dybala took a corner kick to Gianluca Mancini’s head. The number 23 rose above the opponent’s defense and saved it in the right corner of the goal.
Bayer Leverkusen x West Ham
Also this Thursday, this time at the BayArena, Bayer Leverkusen hosted West Ham, also in a game valid for the first leg of the competition, and won 2-0. The winning goals were scored by Jonas Hofmann and Victor Boniface.
With the positive result, the team led by Xabi Alonso, in addition to remaining undefeated this season, opened up a good lead, as they could lose the return game by up to a goal difference to advance. On the other hand, West Ham will be forced to win a victory by three goals to go straight through. In case of victory by just two, the decision will go to extra time and, in case of a new equality in the aggregate score, the place will be decided on penalties. Whoever advances will face the winner of the match between Milan and Rome.
Finally, the return match takes place next Thursday. The ball drops at 4 pm (BrasÃlia time), at the Olympic Stadium in London.
The goals
Despite having scored twice, the first goal only came out in the final stretch of the second stage, in the 38th minute. After the ball inside the area, Jonas Hofmann took it firmly and finished in the right corner of goalkeeper Fabianski.
The second came in the first minute of stoppage time, this time assisted by Hofmann. The athlete released Victor Boniface inside the area, who sent his header into the back of the net.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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