29 August 2010

Euro-rivals: Bad weekend for the Group A rivals

Two days, four matches and four defeats for the teams in Group A of the Europa League: the defeat of Juventus against Bari was the last of a series which included Salzburg, Manchester City and Lech Poznan.

The Austrian champions confirmed their bad start to the season. After having failed to qualify for the Champions League – at the hands of Apoel Tel Aviv – they were forced to another disappointment in the championship. The team coached by Huub Stevens was betean by Mattersburg, the team at the bottom of the table after 5 defeats. While awaiting to play the two games in hand, which were postponed to prepare the preliminary round as best they could (one of which against Sturm Graz), Salzburg is at the bottom side of the Bundesliga with 4 points. Leaders Reid have 15 points.

Manchester City suffered their first defeat in the championship. Roberto Mancini’s team lost 1-0 at home against Sunderland. The match winner was a penalty in the dying minutes. Due to this defeat the citizens are now 4 points behind Chelsea.

Lech Poznan also faced their first disappointment. The Polish champions lost 2-0 in the big match against Jagellonia, a team which thanks to this victory is now at the top of the table together with Poland Warsaw with 10 points. Lech Poznan has 5 points.