On Thursday night, both United and City suffered defeat. The Citizens went down 1-0 in Lisbon due to Xandao’s back heel goal in the second period. Sporting are the only contenders from Portugal left in this season’s Europa League competition and they made the most of their home factor on Thursday night.
They now stand a chance to follow Benfica’s stride in the Champions League by reaching the Europa League quarter-final stage. Manchester City should set their minds on securing nothing less than a 2-0 goal margin win in the return leg.
Their home form and record is remarkable enough to find confidence ahead of this task. However, better than anyone now, they understand that Sporting Lisbon are a force to fear.
Manchester City’s neighbours, Manchester United, are also not safe after allowing Athletic Bilbao to bang 3 goals into their net in a 5-goal thriller. Athletic Bilbao could just play the game of hanging on. A draw or even a 1-goal margin defeat to the Red Devils in the second leg won’t deny Bilbao from progressing.
However, Man United cannot be thinking that their Spanish opponents will settle for less after doing half the job in England. Supporters at San Mames can be very demanding at times and everyone knows the hostile atmosphere that Bilbao’s home crowd creates for visitors. Manchester United are in an awkward decision and they must face it. They are in exactly the same pot than their bitter rivals.
Both teams have two options to qualify: the first one is to reverse the first-leg result and send the game into extra-time to keep their hopes alive; the second one is to win directly by a 2-goal margin at the very least. Relegated Champions League participants Manchester United and Manchester City must turn the tables around or wave goodbye to the 2011/12 UEFA Europa League.
In fact, things aren’t really working for English teams in Europe this season but the same can’t be said about Spain’s representatives. In the UEFA Europa League, Atletico Madrid and Valencia are on the brink of sealing qualification.
Atletico edged Turkey’s Besiktas 3-1 at the Vicente Calderon while Valencia hit PSV with a 4-2 victory. Spain’s candidates have the advantage ahead of the return fixtures in the Last 16 of the competition. Remaining very cautious is the only thing they need to do because of their failure to keep a clean sheet on Thursday night.
Nothing is guaranteed yet but signs are good for Athletic Bilbao, Atletico Madrid and Valencia. Maybe this is room for drama or maybe this is simply Spain’s year to mark the UEFA Europa League like their Iberian neighbours from Portugal did last season.
Mar 15, 2012 2:00pm Athletic Bilbao vs Manchester United
Mar 15, 2012 2:00pm PSV vs Valencia
Mar 15, 2012 4:05pm Beşiktaş vs Atlético Madrid
Mar 15, 2012 4:05pm Manchester City vs Sporting CP Lisbon
For the full list of fixtures and results, go to our UEFA Europa League page.
