In a thrilling Europa League clash at Old Trafford, Manchester United kicked off the tenure of their new manager, Ruben Amorim, with a 3-2 victory against Bodo/Glimt. This match was particularly significant as it marked United’s second consecutive win in the tournament, following a shaky start with three draws and the dismissal of Erik ten Hag. The game’s intensity was palpable from the outset; United established an early lead just seconds into the match. After capitalizing on a misplayed back pass from the visitors, Rasmus Hojlund blocked the goalkeeper’s clearance, paving the way for Alejandro Garnacho to score into an unguarded net.
Despite the promising start, United’s defensive vulnerabilities quickly surfaced. Bodo/Glimt equalized in the 19th minute through Hakon Evjen’s well-placed shot, and just four minutes later, Philip Zinckernagel turned the tides by putting the Norwegians ahead. United appeared to lack creativity and were struggling to find a solution when Hojlund brought them back into the match just before halftime. With a deft flick from Noussair Mazraoui’s cross, Hojlund volleyed into the net, restoring hope for the home side. The second half saw United seize control as Hojlund found the net again, ultimately giving United a lead they managed to maintain despite late-game pressure from Bodo/Glimt.
In contrast, Tottenham Hotspur faced a contrasting experience, drawing 2-2 against Roma in London after a promising start. Spurs initially took charge of the match with a fifth-minute penalty scored by Son Heung-min, following a foul on Pape Matar Sarr. However, Roma quickly responded through Evan Ndicka, who converted a free kick from Paulo Dybala to level the score. Brennan Johnson managed to put Spurs back in the lead shortly before halftime, but the match took a late twist when Mats Hummels equalized for Roma in injury time, denying Spurs a crucial win. Following this draw, Tottenham found themselves struggling to break into the automatic qualification spots for the knockout stages.
The competition in the Europa League is heating up, as evident by other teams making headlines on the same matchday. Athletic Bilbao continued their impressive campaign, securing a commanding 3-0 victory over Elfsborg, which placed them joint at the top of the table alongside Lazio, who maintained their unbeaten streak despite being held to a goalless draw by Ludogorets. Both teams are now level on points, keeping the competition fierce as they vie for early spots in the knockout rounds. Eintracht Frankfurt also showcased their strength, arriving at 13 points after a 2-1 victory against Midtjylland, while Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen continued his stellar performance, scoring his seventh in seven matches despite a draw against AZ Alkmaar that left them slightly behind the leaders.
Turning to Ligue 1, Lyon made a significant leap in the standings, climbing to seventh place after dismantling Qarabag 4-1 in Baku. Striker Georges Mikautadze shined with two quality goals, proving instrumental in bringing Lyon back into contention. Meanwhile, Rangers, who have struggled in domestic leagues, found their form with a noteworthy 4-1 victory over Nice in France. This win allowed them to sit closely on the heels of Lyon, demonstrating the unpredictable nature of both domestic and European competitions.
In the Conference League, Chelsea maintained their dominant run by securing a 2-0 victory over Heidenheim, marking their fourth straight win in the competition. A second-half strike from Christopher Nkunku following a brilliant assist from Jadon Sancho showcased the depth of talent within the squad. Chelsea’s resilience was evident as they defended against a spirited fightback from Heidenheim, with goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen making critical saves to keep the clean sheet. Late in the game, the two-time European champions applied the finishing touches through Mykhailo Mudryk, solidifying their position at the top of the group and setting a strong pace in the early stages of the tournament.
