Europa League: The Red Devils Take a Strong Lead Towards the Final

After the first legs of the Champions League semi-finals, the first legs of the Europa League semi-finals took place on Thursday night, featuring two major matches scheduled for 9 PM. After a dramatic victory over Olympique Lyonnais, Manchester United traveled to San Mamés to face Athletic Bilbao, currently sixth in La Liga. Playing in a 3-4-3 formation with an attacking trio of Fernandes, Garnacho, and Höjlund, the Red Devils quickly made their presence felt.

Garnacho, making a run down the right, expertly slotted a low cross shot past Julen Agirrezabala, but the referee ruled out the goal for offside (5'). The Basques, set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, were initially caught off guard but soon reacted. Berenguer was denied by Onana (7'), and Lindelöf saved his team from a cross by Inaki Williams (22'). However, Manchester United opened the scoring shortly after.

Found by Fernandes, Maguire delivered a perfect cross, deflected by Ugarte, and Casemiro finished it off with a precise header at the far post (0-1, 30'). An ideal start to the match became even better for Ruben Amorim's side. Despite an obvious handball by Garnacho in the lead-up to the play, the Red Devils were awarded a penalty after Vivian fouled Höjlund. Following a video review, the Basque defender was sent off (35'), and Fernandes confidently converted the penalty, sending Agirrezabala the wrong way (0-2, 37').

With a numerical advantage, Manchester United further pressed their advantage just before halftime. Perfectly assisted by Höjlund under pressure from the locals, Fernandes calmly slotted the ball past Agirrezabala with his right foot (0-3, 45'). Nearing a 4-0 on a rebound from Mazraoui that hit the crossbar, the Mancunian club continued to dominate after the break. Maguire almost conceded a penalty after a challenge with Sannadi (58'), while Casemiro came close to extending the lead, first with a curled shot saved by Agirrezabala (63'), before hitting the post with a header from a corner (64').

The Spurs Charge Towards the Final

For the final thirty minutes of the match, Ruben Amorim opted to introduce Mason Mount and Matthijs De Ligt. However, these substitutions did not alter the course of the match. In control, the Red Devils secured a comfortable (3-0) victory, bringing them significantly closer to the final. In the other match of the evening, Tottenham, sitting sixteenth in the Premier League, faced the Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt. With a 4-2-3-1 formation and Solanke leading the attack, the Spurs started the match brilliantly.

Just seconds into the game, Johnson scored with a close-range header after a superb flick-on from Richarlison (1-0, 1'). With momentum on their side, Postecoglou's team continued to threaten the visitors, but Maddison failed to hit the target (7'). A few minutes later, Richarlison had his attempt saved by Haikin (32'). Dominating the game, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium hosts eventually doubled their lead shortly after.

Assisted by Porro, Maddison expertly controlled the ball before slotting a winning cross shot (2-0, 34'). Leading at halftime, the London club confirmed their advantage after the break and extended it further with a penalty converted by Solanke (3-0, 61'). Despite Maddison leaving the field injured and being replaced by Kulusevski, and Saltnes reducing the deficit (3-1, 83'), the Spurs maintained their two-goal advantage on the scoreboard, taking a significant step towards the final where they are expected to face, barring a major turnaround, Manchester United...