Big guns seeking consolation
BETWEEN them Manchester United and Ajax Amsterdam have been champions of Europe seven times, but two of the continent’s grand names are seeking to secure entrance to the second-tier Europa League final today.
United host Celta Vigo defending a 1-0 lead from the first leg in Spain, while in the other semi-final Ajax travel to Olympique Lyon with a 4-1 advantage. The winners progress to the May 24 final in Stockholm.
Having lost at Arsenal in the Premier League last weekend, winning the Europa League is the best chance United have of gaining a Champions League spot next season.
Midfielder Juan Mata, who could come back into the team after returning from injury against Arsenal, said United would go for broke today.
“We’re going to give everything we have for that goal,” Mata told the United website.
“We need to play a very solid game against Celta. We have an advantage but I’m sure they will come here hoping to turn the tables and they will be a dangerous team.”
Paul Pogba, Eric Bailly, Daley Blind and Antonio Valencia could all return for United after being rested against Arsenal.
Celta are playing their first European semi-final and will not give up easily despite losing out to Marcus Rashford’s free-kick at the Balaidos Stadium.
“This result obliges us to come out and attack in the second leg and we have to make sure our attacking players are freed,” said Celta coach Eduardo Berizzo after the first leg.
“We have a game plan that we have to execute with conviction. This result won’t confuse us at Old Trafford. Our idea is always to go out to win.”
While United view the trophy as a stepping stone to the elite Champions League, Ajax have no such concerns having already qualified through their domestic place.
Loss
Feyenoord’s shock loss last weekend means Ajax are still alive in the Dutch championship, a point behind going into the last game on Sunday.
But first they must progress in France, ideally without a repeat of the scare they survived in the quarter-finals when Schalke briefly overturned a two-goal deficit from the first leg.
“Againt Schalke we saw that we couldn’t just rest on a 2-0 lead,” Ajax coach Peter Bosz said. “And Schalke isn’t as high in my estimation as Lyon, which I think are a fantastic team.
“The match isn’t over. We know that we need to be in top form in France again but we’ve shown that we have a very good team.”
Lyon are buoyed by a thrilling weekend 3-2 over Nantes to keep their Ligue 1 top four hopes alive.
“On Thursday, we need to be more focused in dead-ball situations and be better organised when we lose the ball,” said coach Bruno Genesio. “We also need to make use of the support the fans give us... We showed that we’re capable of scoring three goals and turning situations around. – DPA