Europa League: Lille’s Ozer Shines While Villa Triumphs, Forest and Scottish Clubs Struggle
The UEFA Europa League delivered a night of thrilling action, highlighted by Lille’s sensational goalkeeper Berke Ozer, who saved three penalties to ensure victory against AS Roma. Meanwhile, Aston Villa continued their winning streak, while Nottingham Forest and Scottish teams faced disappointing results.
Ozer the Hero as Lille Beat Roma
Lille’s Berke Ozer emerged as the hero in a dramatic 1-0 victory over AS Roma. After Hákon Arnar Haraldsson capitalized on a defensive error to score in the sixth minute, the match was marked by intense pressure from the hosts. Roma had a golden opportunity to equalize when a handball by Aissa Mandi resulted in a penalty. However, Ozer saved Artem Dovbyk’s initial attempt, and even after a retake due to an infraction, he denied a second shot. A final penalty from Matias Soule also met the same fate, securing Lille’s win and showcasing Ozer’s remarkable goalkeeping.
Aston Villa Wins Again in Europe
Aston Villa made their mark with a solid 2-0 win against Feyenoord, notching their second consecutive victory in the group stage. Goals from Emi Buendía and John McGinn in the second half propelled Villa to a commanding performance, with goalkeeper Marco Bizot stepping in admirably to replace the injured Emiliano Martínez. Villa’s resurgence has them among the teams with maximum points in the Europa League, demonstrating their growing confidence after a shaky start to the season.
Nottingham Forest’s European Dreams Dashed
In contrast, Nottingham Forest’s return to European football ended in disappointment as they lost 3-2 to Danish side Midtjylland at the City Ground. The hosts initially equalized after conceding an early goal but struggled defensively, allowing Midtjylland to regain the lead with two goals from set-pieces. Despite Chris Wood pulling one back late from the penalty spot, Forest remains winless in their first two matches back in Europe, leaving new manager Ange Postecoglou searching for answers.
Scottish Clubs Struggle in Europa League
Scottish clubs also faced tough outings, with Celtic and Rangers both suffering defeats. Celtic fell at home to Braga, losing 2-0 despite a strong push for an equalizer. A long-range strike from Ricardo Horta opened the scoring, and Gabri Martinez’s late goal sealed the win for Braga. Meanwhile, Rangers continued their dismal start to the season, losing 2-1 to Sturm Graz. Their struggles are compounded by a lack of points in both European and domestic competitions.
Other notable results included Fenerbahçe’s 2-1 victory over Nice, with Kerem Aktürkoglu scoring both goals early in the match. Real Betis also achieved a 2-0 win against Ludogorets, while Porto maintained their perfect start with a late victory over Crvena Zvezda.
