Browsing: Europa

Without the injured Chris Wood, who has been nursing a knee injury, his manager was robbed of his most potent weapon.

The striker scored 53 goals for Dyche at Burnley and despite his struggles this season, scoring just three times, still represents Forest’s biggest threat.

Jesus replaced Taiwo Awoniyi and dropped deep to cause problems for Porto, pulling them out of position, before scoring his third Europa League goal to seal the game from the spot.

Dyche moved to a back four, with centre-backs Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic more comfortable, especially with Elliot Anderson and Douglas Luiz sitting in front of them in midfield.

Anderson was his usual energetic, all-action self, which allowed Gibbs-White more freedom going forward, flanked by Callum Hudson-Odoi and Dan Ndoye.

The widemen were utilised often, even if their end product was lacking at times.

Around £120m worth of summer signings in James McAtee, Omari Hutchinson, Dilane Bakwa and Arnaud Kalimuendo was left out of the squad on Saturday and Dyche recalled McAtee and Kalimuendo to the bench.

Hutchinson, Forest’s £37.5m record signing, was not included in the European squad while Bakwa was injured.

Forest can perhaps slip back into their old ways under Nuno Espirito Santo – compact, counter-attacking and more pragmatic – quicker than adapting to the high press, high-tempo style Ange Postecoglou wanted to employ.

It certainly looked easier, with more fight, spirit and courage shown than under Postecoglou. The Australian could be forgiven for wondering where it was while he was in charge.

It ultimately earned Forest a first clean sheet in 21 matches, since a 1-0 win over Manchester United in April.

“I can finally breathe tonight,” Gibbs-White told TNT Sports. “It has been a difficult couple of months with all the changes and the bad performances, so it was good to get our first win in eight or nine games.

“We are delighted to get the three points and I want to thank the fans for sticking by us.

“The gaffer said when he came in that last season we had a real identity, and he wants to build on top of that. I am just delighted that the boys got the three points and the win.

“You can feel the morale. It feels a lot more positive and it needs to stay like that. That’s credit to the manager. He has instilled that in us, and we have to keep up that mentality.”

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72 min: I realised I never got back to you with Jan Bednarekâ€s age. He is still in his 20s – 29! It feels like the Polish defender has been around since the 2004.

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Crystal Palace are 1-0 down AEK Larnaca in Conference League!

Riad Bajic has got the goal to give the Cypriot side a shock lead at Selhurst Park!

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RED CARD! Sturm Graz down to 10 men against Celtic!

Chukwuani sees red for a high foot on Callum McGregor in midfield. The referee issues a straight red for the challenge. Iâ€m probably in the minority in thinking that that is a little harsh on the Sturm Graz man – McGregor came into the 50/50 with much more force but won the ball, and Chukwuani just clumsily dangled his foot, with his studs finding McGregorâ€s shin. I can see why itâ€s a sending off, but the little smile from McGregor when he saw the red in the refereeâ€s hand tells a little story.

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67 min: Feyenoord have also turned it around against Panathinaikos! Algerian international Anis Hadj-Moussa has sold one almighty dummy and curled a finish into the far corner to give the Dutch side a 2-1 lead!

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GOAL! Celtic 2-1 Sturm Graz (Nygren 64)

Two goals in three minutes! Nygren has missed a couple of chances tonight but he makes no mistake in nodding in from another Celtic corner! Celtic have turned this one around!

Benjamin Nygren heads Celtic in front! Photograph: Jane Barlow/PAShare

Updated at 16.38 EDT

GOAL! Celtic 1-1 Sturm Graz (Scales 61)

Celtic are level! A quick corner catches the Austrian side unawares and a low cross finds Scales on the six-yard box, with the centre-back turning a tidy finish into the far corner. Parkhead erupts!

Liam Scales equalises for Celtic! Photograph: Jane Barlow/PAShare

Updated at 16.37 EDT

57 min: A sluggish start to the second half for Porto, who are struggling in particular with Ndoye down Forestâ€s right wing. Porto manager Francesco Farioli has seen enough and is preparing three substitutions. Veiga, Fernandes and Mora coming on, Varela and former Norwich forward Borja Sainz are among those being hooked.

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55 min: Celtic go close! An inch-perfect through ball from Scales at the back finds Nygren, who canâ€t convert a header from six yards out. The only issue with the ball was that it was a little too ‘straight†but Nygren completely misjudged the connection, the ball bouncing off his dome at a disgusting angle, as though he had a Toblerone on top of his head.

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Peeeeeeeep!

Weâ€re back underway for the second halves in our 8pm kick-offs.

Porto fans, can you tell me why Rodrigo Mora is on the bench? Heâ€s the next big thing, apparently, and this is the first time this season that the Portuguese club have trailed.

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Half-time reading:

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Half-time scores in the Conference League

Palace are being held by AEK Larnaca, the Cypriot side!

Photograph: GuardianShare

Half-time scores from around the grounds

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Half-time: Nottingham Forest 1-0 Porto

Morgan Gibbs-White has scored the first goal of the Sean Dyche era, from the penalty spot.

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Half-time: Celtic 0-1 Sturm Graz

The Scottish side trail to that fine Tomi Horvat goal, which is one of the best goals Iâ€ve seen live this season.

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44 min: A shocking first half for Lille, who find themselves 3-0 down at home to Greek club PAOK. Giannis Konstantelias, voted the Greek player of last season, has scored the latest goal for the visitors, cutting inside on his right foot and squeezing a finish inside the near post.

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42 min: Celtic are really ramping it up, as they search for an equaliser against Sturm Graz. Sebastian Tounekti has turned his marker inside out on the left wing, and the Tunisia international sends a searching cross across the face of goal, with no Celtic player able to get onto the end of it. Rodgers†side might be 1-0 down, but they are right in this.

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40 min: Pop quiz, how is Jan Bednarek? The former Southampton defender, now of Porto.

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37 min: Given their record this season, it is not a surprise to see Porto coming back into this game against Porto. Alan Varela zings a swirling, dipping shot from 30 yards out towards the far corner, which nearly deceives Sels in the Forest goal, but the Belgian gets his fingertips to the ball, tipping wide.

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34 min: I have only two eyes and many screens to glean, so I missed Viktoria Plzenâ€s opening goal against Roma. Fear not, reader Kári Tulinius caught it, and has emailed in a fine description of what sounds like a fine goal.

“Prince Kwabena Adu of Viktoria Plzen, who Guardian readers with long memories will remember from the Next Generation 2020 feature, scored an absolute beauty against Roma. For the first, he ran towards goal from the left wing, going past two or three defenders and banging it in past Mile Svilar.â€

Prince Kwabena Adu scores a beauty against Roma for Viktoria Plzen in Rome. Photograph: Alfredo Falcone/APShare

Updated at 16.19 EDT

32 min: That scare has jolted Celtic into gear, as they try to find an equaliser. Tierney does well to reach the byline and his cross eventually finds Engels, who heads at goal … cleared off the line by Sturm Grazâ€s Emanuel Aiwu. It remains 1-0 to the Austrian side.

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30 min: Sturm Graz should be 2-0 up at Celtic, as Karic has the freedom of the left wing to canter into the penalty area, cuts the ball back to the unmarked Otar Kiteishvili but the No 10 could only ping a shot against the outside of the post!

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GOAL! Roma 0-2 Viktoria Plzen (Cheick Souaré 22)

Two quickfire goals, the latter from Cheick Souaré, has left Roma reeling! The Italian side are just one point off the top of Serie A at the moment but look well off the pace here, as Cheick Souaré scores another long-range scorcher, his low shot finding the far corner from 25 yards out to double Viktoria Plzenâ€s lead.

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24 min: More bad news for Celtic, with Alistair Johnston pulling up. That looks like a recurrence of his hamstring injury. This was the Canadianâ€s first game since August and now he looks set for another spell on the sidelines. Colby Donovan, his replacement, isnâ€t quite ready to come on yet, so Celtic are going to have to play with 10 men for a short while!

Iheanacho has also had to be replaced, so more problems for Rodgers.

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Updated at 15.34 EDT

GOAL! Nottingham Forest 1-0 Porto (Gibbs-White 19 pen)

Gibbs-White scores his first ever European goal, sending Diogo Costa the wrong way! The City Ground absolutely erupts, but Sean Dyche is a picture of calm on the sidelines. As though he planned all this. In the stands, the spectacled Evangelos Marinakis calmly claps.

Morgan Gibbs-White scores the the first goal of the Forest Dyche-ball era. Photograph: Nick Potts/PAShare

Updated at 15.28 EDT

Penalty to Forest! Handball!

Jan Bednarek, the former Southampton centre-back, is penalised and the Porto defender canâ€t really have any complaints!

A penalty all day long. Photograph: Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty ImagesShare

Updated at 15.25 EDT

GOAL! Celtic 0-1 Sturm Graz (Tomi Horvat 15)

WHAT. A. GOAL! Sturm Graz take the lead through a sensational strike from Tomi Horvat! The ball breaks loose in midfield and the Slovenian pounces on it, before curling an outrageous pearler into the top corner from 30 yards out. Schmeichel no chance! Celtic are stunned!

Tomi Horvat scores a beauty for Sturm Graz! Photograph: Ian MacNicol/Getty ImagesShare

Updated at 15.22 EDT

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Updated at 15.17 EDT

10 min: Forest are dominating the ball against Porto. It will be a fascinating game and very intruiging to see how strong the visitors are here, given they have won all but one of their matches this season. The only game they havenâ€t was a 0-0 draw with José Mourinhoâ€s Benfica a couple of weeks ago. This season Porto have scored 26 goals in all competitions and conceded just two. How will they go against a Premier League side currently languishing in the relegation zone?

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GOAL! Celta Vigo 1-0 Nice (Iago Aspas 3)

Iago Aspas might be 38 but he knows where the goal is, and the Celta Vigo legend arrows a rocket into the top corner from 25 yards!

Iago Aspas fires in for Celta. What a finish from the former Liverpool man. Photograph: Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty ImagesShare

Updated at 15.18 EDT

4 mins: I can report that Dyche has immediately reverted to a back four. None of that 3-5-2 woke nonsense.

(Itâ€s 4-3-3 tonight, for the record).

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Updated at 15.08 EDT

Sean Dyche has opted for a bright blue tracksuit for his first appearance in the Forest dugout. The manager is given a fine reception as he takes his place, one of their own. Dyche is a Forest man through and through, came through the academy, still lives in the city, this is the realisation of a dream.

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Peeeeeeeeep!

All 10 of the 8pm BST kick-offs get underway. Here are the fixtures.

Photograph: GuardianShare

Here is a record of all the full-time scores from the early kick-offs. A great win for Ferencvaros, who came back from 1-0 to win in Austria after three goals in eight second-half minutes.

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Itâ€s a fine atmosphere at Parkhead as the players come out onto the pitch, Celtic fans belting out a rendition of ‘Youâ€ll Never Walk Aloneâ€. The return of Alistair Johnston is a big plus, the right backâ€s first appearance since August.

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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers speaks to TNT:

The real leaders that I work with normally turn pressure into progress. Thereâ€s no doubt that weâ€ve had setbacks this season but this is a wonderful opportunity to take a step forward.

We want to bring joy and happiness to supporters and the way we do that is perform. Thatâ€s what we want to do tonight.

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Itâ€s worth noting that the travelling Rangers fans still gave Danny Röhl a warm reception when the new manager went across to greet them, despite the defeat. I donâ€t think anyone holds the German accountable for that dreadful defeat to Brann.

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Just a laugh, like, but I had a good chuckle at this.

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Of course, Danny Röhl is not the only new manager in the dugout this week. Nottingham Forest now have Sean Dyche running the show. Itâ€s a clash of two former European champions at the City Ground, as Porto come to town. Here are our preview pieces.

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Celtic v Sturm Graz team news

Celtic: Schmeichel, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Tierney, Hatate, McGregor, Nygren, Engels, Iheanacho, Tounekti.
Subs: Sinisalo, Trusty, Balikwisha, Yang, McCowan, Kenny, Bernardo, Saracchi, Murray, Forrest, Donovan, Ralston.

Sturm Graz: Bignetti, Oermann, Aiwu, Lavalee, Karic, Stankovic, Chukwuani, Horvat, Kiteishvili, Rozga, Malone.
Subs: Wiener-Pucher, Khudyakov, Mitchell, Kayombo, Jatta, Beck, Malic, Hierlander, Geyrhofer, Grgic, Hodl.

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Nottingham Forest v Porto team news

Forest: Sels, Williams, Milenkovic, Murillo, Zinchenko, Anderson, Douglas Luiz, Hudson-Odoi, Gibbs-White, Ndoye, Igor Jesus.
Subs: John Victor, Morato, Sangare, Kalimuendo, Dominguez, Yates, McAtee, Boly, Savona, Abbott, Willows, Blake.

Porto: Costa, Alberto Costa, Bednarek, Kiwior, Moura, Froholdt, Varela, Rosario, Pepe, Aghehowa, Sainz.
Subs: Claudio Ramos, Joao Costa, Stephen Eustaquio, William, Veiga, Sanusi, Prpic, Gul, Alarcon, Fernandes, Bras, Mora.

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Full-time: Brann 3-0 Rangers

A miserable defeat for the Scottish side in Danny Röhlâ€s first game in charge. Gers are rock bottom of the standings, owing to their miserable goal difference. One shot on target tonight. Ouch.

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Full-time: Go Ahead Eagles 2-1 Aston Villa

A famous win for the Dutch side! The runaway favourites for this yearâ€s competition, Villa, have been beaten in the rain!

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Weâ€re into stoppage time at Go Ahead Eagles. Just two minutes for Villa to find an equaliser … Cash crosses to the back post towards Mings … the big defender rises highest but completely fails to make contact on the greasy ball. Go Ahead Eagles survive!

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“Can I be the first of many to propose ‘Brann Flakes†for tomorrowâ€s breakfast headlines?†emails Keith Buchanan.

Thatâ€s excellent, Keith.

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GOAL! Brann 3-0 Rangers (Noah Holm 79)

A simple goal, as Noah Holm has all the time in the world to control a cross on the penalty spot and leather his shot past Jack Butland. Itâ€s true that Röhl might not be fully chastised for this defeat, given he is only three days into the job, but this is not a very good look. All McCoist, Rangers legend and TNT co-commentator tonight, started the night in optimistic mood, but is struggling to make sense of this performance now. That will be three defeats from three games in the Europa League for Rangers, who are also struggling domestically, sixth in the table and hosting Kilmarnock on Sunday.

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Buendia misses the penalty for Villa! Go Ahead Eagles still lead 2-1!

In a swirling wind, Buendia opts to try and find the top corner and gets it all wrong, blazing the ball over the bar! A dreadful effort and the stadium erupts! The camera cuts to Emery and Villa fans in the away end, all of whom are cursing and gesturing towards the Argentinian. Ooooof.

Deary me. Photograph: Alex Bierens de Haan/UEFA/Getty ImagesShare

Updated at 14.30 EDT

Penalty to Villa!

Itâ€s a soft one, Cashâ€s cross clearly catches the hand of Dean James but there was nothing the Indonesia international could do about it, just a yard or two away from the Villa right back when he kicked it.

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Emery has brought a lot of the big hitters off the bench – Rogers, McGinn, Cash, Kamara – as they try to get an equaliser. Rogers has just hit the outside of Go Ahead Eagles†post through a cross/shot from an acute angle. Maatsen has just flashed a dangerous low cross across the face of goal. Villa are getting closer.

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GOAL! Go Ahead Eagles 2-1 Aston Villa (Deijl 61)

Go Ahead Eagles come from behind to lead! Itâ€s the right back and captain Mats Deijl with the goal for the Dutch side, latching onto a fine lofted through ball and finishing delicately over Martínez with a little dink! Unai Emery, half-hiding in his anorak, looks absolutely miserable on the sidelined as he is getting pelted by the rain.

Go Behind Villa. Photograph: Christof Köpsel/Getty ImagesShare

Updated at 14.19 EDT

Rangers have an immediate chance to get a goal back, but Mikey Moore, the teenager on loan from Tottenham, blazes his effort over the bar from the penalty spot! He really should have hit the target after a fine cross from Meghoma.

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GOAL! Brann 2-0 Rangers (Sorensen 56)

Bad to worse for Rangers and Röhl! Awful marking from a set piece as Jacob Sorensen bundles the ball into the net, doubling Brannâ€s lead! This is woeful stuff from the Scottish side.

Jacob Sorensen scores to make it 2-0 to Brann. Photograph: Marius Simensen/BILDBYRÃ…N/ShutterstockShare

Updated at 14.18 EDT

Villa are pushing for another go-ahead goal at Go Ahead Eagles. Buendia looks full of confidence following his weekend winner against Spurs, but overall they are finding things a bit tricky in windy and wet conditions.

Villa are wearing their third kit for the first time, a blue and white number, which feels all wrong. The club describes the design as “paying homage to the rich history and unique architecture of Villa Park, drawing direct inspiration from the signature stained glass windows that have adorned the stadium since it first opened in 1897â€.

Jadon Sancho tries to wriggle out of a tight space at Go Ahead Eagles. Photograph: Christof Köpsel/Getty ImagesShare

This is a Europa League blog, but this is what is happening in the Conference League tonight. In the early kick-offs, Aberdeen are getting a pasting at AEK Athens and Shelbourne are involved in a goalless draw in North Macedonia.

Crystal Palace face Cypriot side AEK Larnaca at Selhurst Park later on. The Lincoln Red Imps play Lech Poznan and Shamrock Rovers host Slovenian side Celje.

Photograph: GuardianShare

Elsewhere, Aston Villa have been pegged back to 1-1 by Dutch side Go Ahead Eagles after Evann Guessand scored his first goal for Unai Emeryâ€s side, capitalising on a rebound after some very questionable goalkeeping from Jari De Busser, who failed to snaffle a Jadon Sancho cross.

Go Ahead Eagles equalised through a deflected strike from Mathis Suray after a clever set-piece play.

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Updated at 13.50 EDT

Half-time scores from the early kick-offs

Photograph: GuardianShare

Appointed only on Monday, this is Danny Röhlâ€s first game in charge of Rangers, who are 1-0 down at half-time to Norwegian side Brann. Emil Kornvig scored a tap-in at teh back post after a deflected cross.

Not a great start for the German manager, although there is 45 minutes for Rangers to rectify things. Here is some background to Röhlâ€s appointment this week, courtesy of Ewan Murray.

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Preamble

Breaking to your loved ones that a third consecutive night of continental football is beckoning – when there are chores to do, Celebrity Traitors to watch and children to put to bed – but the Europa League isnâ€t going to watch itself, and where else would you get written updates on Braga v Red Star Belgrade?*

*I am attempting to cover a total of 18 matches of football with just two typing hands, so please be kind if I miss the odd goal.

The Europa League may have been usurped in the hipster stakes by the Conference League but it remains arguably the most interesting European club competition, from which the eventual victors could come from all over the continent.

We join the evening at the mid-way point in the early 5.45pm BST kick off – weâ€ll bring you the half-time scores from those imminently – before gearing up for the 8pm BST kick-offs, which are below.

Photograph: Guardian

Letâ€s get it!

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Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv say they will not accept any ticket allocation from Aston Villa should the decision to ban their supporters from next month’s Europa League match be overturned.

Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group (SAG) – the body responsible for issuing safety certificates for matches – last week informed Villa no travelling fans would be permitted at the match in the city.

The decision was widely condemned, with Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy pledging that the government will “find the resources” to allow Maccabi fans to attend earlier on Monday.

But Maccabi Tel Aviv now say supporters will not travel for safety reasons – that “a toxic atmosphere has been created which makes the safety of our fans wishing to attend very much in doubt”.

A club statement said, external: “The wellbeing and safety of our fans is paramount, and from hard lessons learned we have taken the decision to decline any allocation offered on behalf of away fans and our decision should be understood in that context.

“We hope that circumstances will change and look forward to being able to play in Birmingham in a sporting environment in the near future.”

“We are deeply saddened Maccabi Tel Aviv have turned down their away fan allocation but we respect their right to do so,” a government spokesperson said.

They added it was “completely unacceptable” that the match has been “weaponised to stoke violence and fear by those who seek to divide us”.

“The government has been working around the clock to defend a basic principle – that football fans should be able to enjoy a game without fear of intimidation or violence.”

On Thursday, West Midlands Police said it had classified the fixture as “high risk” based on current intelligence and previous incidents, including “violent clashes and hate crime offences” between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv fans before a match in Amsterdam, in November 2024.

Nandy said ministers were working together to fund any necessary policing operation to allow away fans to attend, and the SAG would review the decision if West Midlands Police changed its risk assessment.

Nandy said the matter was wider than matchday security, adding it came “against the backdrop of rising antisemitism here and across the world, and an attack on a synagogue in Manchester in which two innocent men were killed”.

On Sunday, the Israeli Premier League derby between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv was cancelled before kick-off, after what police described as “public disorder and violent riots”.

Maccabi say the decision to call that game off was not down to their supporters and thanked the UK government for its efforts.

They said: “We believe that football should be about bringing people together not driving them apart.

“Our fans regularly travel all over Europe without incident and to suggest that the reason our fans cannot be allowed to travel is due to their behaviour is an attempt to distort reality.

“We acknowledge the efforts of the UK government and police to ensure both sets of fans can attend the match safely, and are grateful for the messages of support from across the footballing community.”

Aston Villa previously told their matchday stewards they did not have to work at the Maccabi Tel Aviv fixture, saying they understood some “may have concerns”.

Following Thursday’s announcement by the club about the impending fixture, Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the move “wrong” and said: “We will not tolerate antisemitism on our streets.”

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It looked like City’s hopes of a comeback had been extinguished after just three minutes when, as she did in the first leg, Mille Gejl opened the scoring for Koge.

The former Crystal Palace midfielder took a short corner to Rikke Madsen and latched on to her fellow Denmark international’s cutback from the byeline before steering her low drive into the far corner from just inside the penalty box.

However, City were pinging the ball about far quicker than in the first leg in Denmark and were back level on the night within six minutes.

Captain Amy Muir set Nicole Kozlova down the left wing and the former Koge player’s low ball into the penalty box was fired home by strike partner Abby Harrison.

A couple of fine saves from goalkeeper Lee Gibson denied the visitors before City were back level on aggregate on 25 minutes when Emily Whelan headed powerfully home after left-back Muir crossed to the back post.

City’s joy only lasted two minutes as veteran former Manchester City and Denmark forward Nadia Nadim turned in from the left wing and sent a right-foot drive looping over Gibson and into the far corner.

Glasgow were ahead again on the night when Harrison rose with visiting goalkeeper Ema Aleksic to meet a Lisa Evans corner and the ball deflected off Emma Pelkowski and into her own net.

Fellow midfielder Sarah Thygesen pounced on an Emma Brownlie error to slot what looked like a killer strike for the Danes six minutes from the end of normal time.

However, Brownlie made amends by rising to meet another Evans corner and level the score on aggregate as the game entered added time.

Just when it looked like extra time might be needed, Lisa Forrest headed a cross from fellow substitute forward Sofia Maatta over the stranded goalkeeper to signal joyous scenes among the home support and tears from the stunned visitors.

Glasgow City: Gibson, Brownlie, Golob, Smit, Muir, Motlhalo, Lauder, Evans, Whelan, Kozlova, Harrison.

Substitutes: Clachers, Warrington, McLaughlin, Forrest, Lockwood, Wróbel, Anderson, Määttä, Tanaka, Boyes.

Koge: Aleksic, Markvardsen, Uhre, Brandt, Schultz, Korhonen, Gejl, Jereko, Lacho, Nadim, Madsen.

Substitutes: Vingum, Moller, Ruedt, Huisman, Pelkowski, Garcia, Thygesen, Oskarsdottir, Simonsen, Callesen, Luplau, Briggs.

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Emi Buendía and John McGinn struck second-half goals as Aston Villa beat Feyenoord 2-0 in Rotterdam to make it back-to-back Europa League wins.

Villa, who beat Bologna 1-0 in their opening game last week, held their nerve at De Kuip after coming under heavy first-half pressure, with Buendía and then McGinn scoring for Unai Emeryâ€s side.

Back at the venue where they sealed the clubâ€s greatest triumph by beating Bayern Munich to lift the European Cup in 1982, Villa notched their third win in a week to put their dismal start to the season behind them.

Villa were forced into a late change before kick-off, with goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez withdrawn through a calf injury and replaced by the summer signing Marco Bizot.

Feyenoord, who beat both Bayern and Inter Milan in the Champions League at the intimidating De Kuip last season, created a string of first-half chances.

Bizot denied Anis Hadj-Moussa and Ayase Ueda, who also headed narrowly wide, before Leo Sauerâ€s shot from outside the box then tested the Villa keeper.

The visitors breathed a sigh of relief in the 35th minute – and the Feyenoord head coach Robin van Persie was left furious – when Ueda headed the home side into the lead from a corner, but the goal was dubiously ruled out for an apparent foul on Matty Cash.

Emeryâ€s side weathered the storm and Buendía struck the opening goal in the 61st minute, curling home into the bottom corner after being teed up by Boubacar Kamara on the edge of the area.

Villa dictated the tempo thereafter and put the game to bed when McGinn steered home his third goal in as many matches, picking his spot when the ball broke to him in the area following substitute Donyell Malenâ€s storming run.

Bizot was on hand again with crucial saves to deny Ueda and Cyle Larin in the closing stages, preventing the Dutch from mounting a grandstand finish.

Rangers showed fighting spirit against Sturm Graz, but first-half defensive lapses resulted in a second Europa League defeat in eight days to keep under-fire manager Russell Martin on the back foot.

The Light Blues lost 1-0 to the Belgian side Genk in their opening league phase game at Ibrox last Thursday night and went down 2-1 at the Merkur Arena.

The Slovenia striker Tomi Horvat scored after just seven minutes and, after the Rangers forward Youssef Chermiti hit the woodwork, the Georgia midfielder Otar Kiteishvili drove in a second in the 35th minute.

However, winger Djeidi Gassama made it 2-1 four minutes after the break with a terrific strike and offered hope for Rangers, but the comeback could not be completed and, after just five wins in 16 games, the pressure remains firmly on Martin.

Kelechi Iheanacho had a goal controversially disallowed in Celticâ€s defeat by Braga. Photograph: Andrew Milligan/PA

Kelechi Iheanacho was on the wrong end of a hugely controversial handball decision before Braga wrapped up a 2-0 Europa League win at Celtic.

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Iheanacho appeared to have brought the hosts level in the 51st minute after Kasper Schmeichel made a mess of dealing with Ricardo Hortaâ€s long-range strike in the first half. But the German referee, Tobias Stieler, disallowed the goal and the video assistant Christian Dingert stuck with the decision, despite no handball being evident on television replays.

Iheanacho capitalised on a loose pass from a free-kick to charge down a scrambled clearance from the former Celtic defender Gustaf Lagerbielke before slotting home. The ball appeared to hit the strikerâ€s face but Dingert stuck with the decision after more than two minutes of studying the footage.

Kieran Tierney and Sebastian Tounekti were denied by good goalkeeping as Celtic chased an equaliser in an open second half. Brendan Rodgersâ€s side were left with one point from their opening two matches after Gabri Martínez netted on the rebound five minutes from time.

There were clear signs Schmeichel was having an off night as the goalkeeper conceded possession several times before being beaten from 35 yards in the 20th minute.

Horta was not closed down quickly enough by Paulo Bernardo and his shot swerved and dipped. But it was not particularly powerful or in the corner and Schmeichel appeared to be caught off guard before clawing the ball into the roof of the net.

Celtic were soon back under pressure and Martínez netted from close range after Schmeichel and Scales had blocked efforts.

The Lille goalkeeper, Berke Özer, saved three penalties, included two retaken, in the win against Roma. Photograph: Andrew Medichini/AP

The Lille keeper Berke Özer saved three consecutive penalties late on as they battled to a 1-0 victory at Roma in the Europa League thanks to Hákon Arnar Haraldssonâ€s early strike.

In the first competitive meeting between the sides, Arnar Haraldsson capitalised on an early Roma error to fire the visitors ahead after six minutes. Roma were handed a golden chance to equalise in the last few minutes after a handball from Aïssa Mandi, but Artem Dovbykâ€s penalty was saved by Özer.

Drama followed as the Lille keeper was adjudged to have moved off his line, only for Dovbykâ€s second attempt to be stopped as well, but with Özer again stepping forward too early. A third effort was then entrusted to Matías Soulé, yet incredibly, Özer denied him as well and this time the save stood, sealing Lilleâ€s win.

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A free-kick is curled into the Genk box, Soutta rheads across goal towards the side-netting … and Heynen hooks clear from under his own bar! That is fantastic defending.

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GOAL! Ferencvaros 0-1 Viktoria Plzen (Durosimni 16)

A goal in Budapest.

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GOAL! Young Boys 0-2 Panathaniakos (Zaroury 13)

Big trouble for the Swiss.

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GOAL! Aston Villa 1-0 Bologna (McGinn 13)

Villa Park has its first goal of the season! The corner goes short and when the cross comes in, Rogers, unmarked should score. But he leathers fresh air then, when the ball is half-cleared to Mcginn on the edge, he gets his knee right over the ball and drives down on it, sending a skidding shot hard, straight and true, just inside the near post.

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Buendia hares through the middle and finds Rogers;his outside-of-the-boot is humped behind.

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Back at Ibrox,Mikey Moore – another Iâ€m looking forward to watching tonight – has swept a shot over the top from the edge.

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GOAL! Young Boys 0-1 Panathanaikos (Swiderski 10)

An early goal in Bern and itâ€s for the visitors.

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Itâ€s amazing how much Robbie Savageâ€s commentary has improved since he started coaching, you can tell heâ€s proper obsessed. Heâ€s just explained how Bologna are “locking on in the press†having previously noted that Villa are almost playing a 4-2-2-2; “as you know, I love formations,†he adds. Itâ€s a great development.

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Villa Park hasnâ€t seen a goal yet this season, but Gassama gets away at inside-right, hangs on a little bit too long, and his shot from a tighter angle than is necessary, is saved.

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But here come Genk again, El Ouahdi sliding in at the far post to send a finish over the top.

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In comms, Robbie Savage says Villa Park is one of his favourite grounds and I agree, itâ€s one of mine, too; the Holte, when full, is one of the great ends and sights in English football. On which point, Ibrox is also a beautiful piece of work and, as I say every time it comes up, by far the noisiest ground Iâ€ve been to, and Iâ€ve been to a few. But Ranger are in trouble, Meghoma stepping up and allowing El Ouahdi in behind, but the shot that follows his cut-back is blocked by Tavernier.

Rangers’ Aasgaard in action with Genk’s Bangoura. Photograph: Lee Smith/Action Images/ReutersShare

Updated at 15.10 EDT

And off we go!

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Our teams come out at both Villa Park and Ibrox Stadium.

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Hereâ€s a Rangers in Europe story. Be very aware, itâ€s an absolute banger.

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Martin explains that Chermiti is playing to add freshness and also that he “suits the game tonightâ€. The team are prepared but need to make it their kind of game and if they repeat Saturdayâ€s performance, he believes they can win.

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Updated at 14.59 EDT

Final scores:Go Ahead Eagles 0-1 Steaua; Lille 2-1 Brann.

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Iâ€m intrigued to see how much dissent there is at Ibrox. Itâ€s rare a manager turns around the kind of situation Russell Martin is experiencing, but as long as heâ€s got a job, heâ€s got hope. Heâ€ll need a result tonight, youâ€d think.

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Is Martin Keown superimposed?

Photograph: TNTShare

As for Bologna, Iâ€m keen to see how Lewis Ferguson gets on. He captained them to their Coppa Italia win, and will want to make an impression tonight.

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I also really like Boubacar Kamara who, if he can stay fit, has lots of the right stuff. I donâ€t think thereâ€s too much wrong at Villa, theyâ€ve just forgotten how to score which has knocked their confidence. For that reason, Iâ€m a little surprised Ollie Watkins has been dropped, because they badly need him firing – and donâ€t forget he also creates – but Iâ€m sure Emery has his reasons.

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Still missing for Villa:Amadou Onana, Ross Barkley and Youri Tielemans.

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Iâ€m looking forward to seeing how Morgan Rogers does tonight,for no reason other than I love watching him play. I really enjoy his physicality and imagination, and he looks the most likely difference between the sides.

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Emery tells TNT that Martinez is injured, then explains that this is a good opportunity for Malen. Otherwise, he says Villa have been good at home, but European games are always difficult. Itâ€s their dream to play in Europe, but theyâ€ll have to do well to get a result.

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Updated at 14.40 EDT

I wonder if Emery spoke harshly about his players because he thinks they should win tonight; if he does it and they donâ€t, what else can he then say? I think theyâ€ll have too much in midfield for Bologna, and if they can just get that first win, theyâ€ve got more than enough to have a decent season.

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So what of Genk? Well theyâ€re third-bottom of the league and managed by Thorsten Fink, most famous for the clearance that led to this:

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As for Rangers, they make one change following weekend victory over Hibs: Chermiti, making his full debut, replaces Miovski.

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Bologna have a player called Heggem, more than enough excuse to remember this forgotten banger, scored for Liverpool by his namesake on Boxing Day 1998.

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Back to our teams,Emery leaves out Martinez, Mings, Digne and Watkins; in come Bizot, Pau Torres, Maatsen and Malen.

Bologna, meanwhile, 11th in Serie A after beating Genoa 2-1 at the weekend, replace De Silvestri, Heggem, Miranda, Moro, Dominguez, and Orsolini with Zoertea, Lucumi, Lykogiannis, Ferguson, Odgaard and Cambiaghi.

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Email!“I know that itâ€s a well-worn old chuckler, but hey ho,†begins Charles Antaki. “It still raises a smile when you see Go Ahead Eagles go behind.â€

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Teams!

Aston Villa (4-4-2): Bizot; Cash, Konsa, Pau Torres, Maatsen; Guessand, Kamara, McGinn, Rogers; Buendia, Malen. Subs: Proctor, Oakley, Lindelöf, Mings, Elliott, Watkins, Digne, Andrès García, Sancho, Bogarde, Burrowes.

Bologna (4-3-3):Skorupski; Zoertea, Vitik, Lucumi, Lykogiannis; Ferguson, Freuler, Odgaard; Bernadeschi, Castro, Cambiaghi. Subs:Ravaglia, Pessina, Holk, Moro, Orsolini, Rowe, Heggem, Dallinga, Miranda, Fabbian.

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Rangers (4-3-3):Butland; Tavernier, Souttar, Cornelius, Meghoma; Diomande, Raskin; Moore; Aasgaard, Gassama, Chermiti. Subs: Kelly, Wright, Rothwell, Barron, Antman, Djiga, Miovski, Gentles, Danilo, Rice, Curtis, McCallion.

Genk (5-3-2):Van Crombrugge; El Ouhadi, Sets, Sadick, Kayembe, Medina; Hrosovsky, Bangoura, Heynen; Sreuckers; Oh. Subs:Mounganga, Ito, Karetsas, Bibout, Sattleberger, Nkuba, Mirisola, Yokoyama, Adedeji-Sternberg, Palacios, Kongolo, Erabi.

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Updated at 14.25 EDT

Latest scores:Go Ahead Eagles 0-1 Steaua Bucharest; Lille 1-0 Brann.

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Preamble

For the first time since arriving at Aston Villa in 2022, Unai Emery finds himself under pressure. At the end of last season, his players were guilty of a complete no-show in their last game, against a Manchester United side that had just lost the Europa League final, which cost them a Champions League spot, and theyâ€ve started this in similar vein, sitting third-bottom of the table and playing so badly their manager has already accused them of being lazy.

As such, todayâ€s match with Bologna – whom Villa beat 2-0 in last seasonâ€s premier competition – is more important than it seems. After receiving such public and stinging criticism, if they cannot rouse themselves to deliver a performance tonight, then what?

Life at Villa Park, though, sounds like a joy relative to goings-on at Ibrox. Though Rangers managed their first win in six against Hibs last weekend, Russell Martin is still in a pickle – one that can only be resolved with a succession of good results and performances. In the meantime, any defeat could mean the end with tonightâ€s match with Genk the latest test of his survival instinct.

Add to that a selection of other matches, and weâ€ve a decent eveningâ€s rubber-necking in prospect.

Kick-off: 8pm BST

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