The Sky Sports Football writers analyze the UEFA Europa League and Conference League campaign on Thursday while Spurs lose at AZ, Manchester United Draw in Real Sociedad, Rangers enjoy a famous victory against Fenerbahce and Chelsea defeated FC Copenhagen.
Where do the goals come from for man utd?
The Europa League is a nice escape for Ruben Amorim from his nightmare start as head coach of Manchester United in the interior.
But one thing that he cannot escape is the fact that he is in charge of a team that does not score enough.
The goal of Joshua Zirkzee in the draw at Real Sociedad was only his second of 2025 and would have been saved if the real Sociedad -goalkeeper Alex Remiro had paid attention.
Alejandro Garnacho, without a goal in 22 games, and Rasmus Hojlund, without a goal in 19, did not score in this calendar year. Not the type of front three to bring fear into the opposition, right?
That is all that Amorim now has to play with thanks to the failure to add teenage striker Chido Obi to the Europa League team on time for the knockout phase. It is also the reason why United could only call five Outfield players on the couch in Spain.
And even when Hojlund, who takes the most flack for the striking problems of United, was able to score, his teammate, Diogo Dalot, gave the chance to put the ball on a plate for him. He was understandably furious with decision -making.
It is a regrettable state of affairs and lets Amorim swim against the tide.
United can take faith in the second stage after their performance at Anoeta, but this inescapable reality will be with Amorim while fighting to keep the season alive. Zinny Boswell
All that preparation – and Spurs never showed up
After he had lost from Manchester City last week, Ange Postecoglou almost admitted that he gave the Europa League priority to the Premier League after resting Heung-Min Son, Dejan Kulusevki and Djed Spence eight days ago.
The tasteless achievements in Alkmaar would be bad enough without the knowledge of the entire season of Spurs that hangs on it.
In some respects it is difficult to become despondent about such a weak version, including a lonely shot on goal and an XG of barely 0.4, given in seven days that Tottenham could easily be in the quarterfinals of the Europa League.
But this was traces in their despondent worst. Consider the Carabao Cup semi-final second stage against Liverpool. Maybe worse.
It was summarized by a terrible routine for free kick just before half-time, where James Maddison-in place to go for goal and played a poorly executed one-two who eventually wasted the chance.
All night feels like exactly the same. Spurs has never found their rhythm, never started. The entire point of the Postecoglou era was intended as fairly running and attacking football.
At least they would go down without a fight. This was little more than a damp Squib, although Spurs has the poor finish of AZ to thank that the draw is still red -up. Ron Walker
Rangers again keep their best for Europe
Barry Ferguson adjusted the formation and opted for a back five in Istanbul. They may not have kept a clean slate, but they did not find out like in their last two domestic matches.
They looked more defensively, but also in attack with Cyriel Dessers and Vaclav Cerny who show what they can offer if they show the best of themselves.
Leaving the Scottish Cup to Queen's Park was more than a disappointment, but it does mean a free week to prepare for the return while trying to set up a quarter -final draw against Roma or Athletic Bilbao.
Fenerbahce was disappointing, but that was their first defeat in 19 games. There is no way in which this draw is over and Jose Mourinho will certainly have a plan for the second stage at Ibrox next week.
He will have more options with Fred back from the suspension and Jack Butland was tested several times in the Rangers goal.
Ibrox Under The Lights will become a cracker, the question is that the home fans can find out the players instead of inspiring them to become a different famous European victory?
The lack of consistency of Chelsea is a concern
This was a version that this Chelsea team caught and perhaps embodied their season.
They were so sloppy in parts. They were fantastic in sharing.
Only two shots for an expected goals of 0.06 before the break was not the sign of a team of a team to win this competition. It was too safe. Pass without a goal.
That changed immediately when Maresca turned to his bank and Levi Colwill, Christopher Nunku and the fully involved Enzo Fernandez, whose enthusiasm and set the tone for a much improved second period.
Nevertheless, Chelsea, who clockwise tapping, killed the set piece and the Danish champions allowed to keep the draw alive.
Inconsistency is a common characteristic of a development team full of potential, but the UPS and Downs for 90 minutes remain a great concern for the long -term perspectives among this manager. Lewis Jones
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