UEFA Europa League Matchday 1: What We Learned

While the start of the 2023/2024 Champions League campaign took all the headlines, Thursday night football also returned to the Europa League with a few pulsating fixtures. Bet Central explores what happened.

Xabi Alonso Showing Midas Touch In Management

Across his career with Real Sociedad, Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich, Xabi Alonso was a midfield maestro who had a Midas touch that elevated his teams. He was a huge success as a player in Europe.

His Bayer Leverkusen side made their debut in this year’s Europa competition and they had a phenomenal start seeing Swedish side Hacken 4-0. His start is promising enough and his steady progress suggests he could have the Midas in management as well.

Brighton Runs Into A Small Speed Hump

Brighton have started the Premier League very brightly despite some of their more talented players to some of the bigger clubs in English football like Alexis MacAlister and Moises Caicedo. It was in the Europa League that they bumped in their 1st real blight on their season thus far.

Brighton’s João Pedro scored twice from the penalty spot but were powerless to stop Greek giants AEK Athens from scoring a hat trick of goals to edge them at the Amex. Roberto De Zerbi will not be discouraged as his team performed admirably.

Pierre Emerick Aubameyang Fires For Marseille

Pierre Emerick Aubameyang scored twice as Marseille played out an exciting 3-3 draw with Dutch powerhouse Ajax Amsterdam. It was an end-to-end spectacle which had a flurry of goals.

More than anything, Gabonese international Aubameyang proved he still has a lot to offer on the European stage when he showed his prolific finishing. Jacques Abardonado will be pleased with the veteran striker’s contribution.

Mohammed Kudus Gets On The Board For West Ham

West Ham United won the Europa Conference League last season and thus qualified for the Europa League, but lost talisman to Arsenal during the transfer window. They began their campaign with a resounding 3-1 win over Backa Topola.

In an attempt to bring a bit of stardust to their team, they signed Mohammed Kudus from Ajax and their marquee signing delivered his 1st goal in Europe on Thursday. His manager David Moyes will be hoping for a lot more.

Spanish Sides Draw A Blank In Week 1 

When one looks across the European competitions whether it be the Champions League or Europa League, the Spanish teams always have a strong presence and are found on the winning side more often than not.

On Thursday both their Europa participants found themselves on the wrong side of the results when Villarreal lost out 2-0 to Panathinaikos in Greece and Real Betis were humbled 1-0 by Rangers in Scotland. Both sides will be looking to do better in the return fixtures.