Their talisman is injured and Celta Vigo are slumping badly at the wrong time, just as others are arresting their slidesCelta de Vigo’s fans saw hope disappear before their eyes. An hour had gone and José Luis Morales had just scored Levante’s third but it wasn’t only what was happening on the pitch that brought the fatalism flooding back at Balaídos, it was what was happening alongside it. There had been applause and anticipation when Iago Aspas, their captain and their everything, stepped into the sunlight and began warming up, tracksuit off ready to return after six weeks away; now there was silence as he ducked into the shadows and sat down again, worry and resignation written across his face...
Only Barcelona and Atlético can match Eibar’s results over the last three months as another unlikely run at Europe continuesIván Ramis took off his shirt and put his hat on, a flat red porkpie perched on his head as he stood in the corner of Butarque where a couple of dozen Eibar fans down from the Ego valley were going wild in wigs: some red, some blue and some Scottish, ginger locks tumbling from tam o’ shanters. As he had flung his top high into the air before running towards them shouting, they had thrown the hat on the pitch; so he wore it, along with a smile that even the referee trotting over with a yellow card couldn’t wipe...
The £90m French midfielder has had a tough time in England this season and he struggled again to justify his lofty valuation against Celta VigoIt cannot be easy wearing the tag of world’s most expensive footballer, and it may turn out the detailed transfer fee revelations of the past few days prove a blessing in disguise for Paul Pogba.Since Manchester United brought him back in such costly fashion last summer there has been a background muttering for most of the season to the effect that he does not actually look like a £90m player. José Mourinho keeps saying that he will, one day, while United’s many detractors and even one or two of their supporters feel that pushing the boat...
Manchester United and Celta Vigo have picked weakened teams in their league matches in search of back-door qualification for the Champions LeagueOlive branch of the week was handed out by Pep Guardiola after his side’s win over Crystal Palace, when the Manchester City manager said he hoped Manchester United would go all the way and win the Europa League because it would be amazing to have five English clubs in the Champions League next season.So it would, though looking around at the standard of competition in Europe, some are going to have to pull their socks up to make any more impression on the knockout stages than they managed this time. Monaco scored six goals against Manchester City, proceeding to...
A moment of magic from Marcus Rashford covered for the fact that United’s strikers have struggled all season – backing up José Mourinho’s regular gripesFeyenoord, Fenerbahce, Zorya, St-Étienne, Rostov, Anderlecht and now Celta Vigo. Against their seventh different opponent from a seventh country Manchester United’s challenge was to finally produce the signature display that had eluded them on their travels.Do so in this Europa League semi-final first leg and José Mourinho’s side would make themselves firm favourites to reach the final at Solna’s Friends Arena in Stockholm later in May. Related: Marcus Rashford gives Manchester United crucial away win over Celta Vigo Related: Celta Vigo v Manchester United: Europa League semi-final first leg – as it happened Continue reading...