The first matches of the Europa League playoffs have concluded. The very first matches "gifted" fans both the expected drama and unexpected results: in one game, goals rained down like rain, while in another game, a single shot changed the entire scenario.
One of the most striking results was recorded in Glasgow. Stuttgart faced Celtic away and secured a resounding 4-1 victory. The hosts planned to at least show resistance at home, but the German team took control of the pace of the game from the very first minutes. Although Nygren scored the only goal of the score for Celtic in the 21st minute, the visitors responded harshly: Hannouss scored a brace in the 15th and 28th minutes, Leveling further consolidated the lead by the 57th minute, and Thomas put the final point in the 90+3rd minute.
Celtic - Stuttgart 1:4
Goals: Nygren 21 - Hannouss 15, 28, Leveling 57, Thomas 90+3.
In France, on the contrary, it wasn't the goals that impressed most, but the result itself. Lille suffered an unexpected 0-1 defeat at home to Red Star Belgrade. The decisive goal of the match was scored by Uchenna in the 45+1st minute. Now, every minute in the second leg for Lille becomes a "golden" value: even a small defeat leaves the door of hope open at the moment, but there's almost no room for mistakes.
Lille - Red Star 0:1
Goal: Uchenna 45+1.
In another match, Ludogorets defeated Ferencváros 2-1 at home. For the hosts, Dua opened the scoring in the 24th minute, while the visitors quickly responded with Dele in the 27th minute. However, Son's goal in the 67th minute secured an important advantage for Ludogorets. In this pair too, there's intrigue alive in the return match: a goal difference hasn't decided anything yet.
Ludogorets - Ferencváros 2:1
Goals: Dua 24, Son 67 - Dele 27.
For information, the second legs of the playoffs are scheduled for February 26. So, for now, this is only the first part, and the main test is yet to come. Since there was so much noise in the first games, it's clear that return matches will test the "nerves" even more.
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