While Ajax Amsterdam outclassed Besiktas (4-0), Roma and Athletic Bilbao were unable to decide between themselves (1-1) in the clash of the evening.
This second evening of the Europa League, counting for the first day of the league phase, proved to be just as prolific as the previous one, Wednesday. On the bridge before 7 p.m., José Mourinho’s Fenerbahçe did the job against the Belgians Union Saint-Gilloise (2-1) while the Glasgow Rangers dominated Malmö (2-0) in Sweden. Later, Ajax Amsterdam, Steaua Bucharest and Tottenham – despite an early red card received by Dragusin – achieved the successes of the evening, respectively against Besiktas (4-0), Riga (4-1) and Qarabag (3 -0).
In a clash of contenders for the final victory, Athletic Bilbao snatched, thanks to Paredes (85th), the draw (1-1) in the last minutes on the AS Roma pitch, although launched by Dovbyk ( 32nd). In Germany, Frankfurt and its French striker Ekitike squandered a two-goal advantage against Plzen (3-3) while Braga, at home, enjoyed a stunning success against Tel Aviv (2-1).
The results of the evening in C3:
- Fenerbahçe – Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1
- Malmö – Rangers 0-2
- Ajax Amsterdam – Besiktas 4-0
- AS Rome – Athletic Bilbao 1-1
- Braga – Maccabi Tel Aviv 2-1
- Eintracht Francfort – Plzen 3-3
- OL – Olympiakos 2-0
- Steaua Bucarest – Riga 4-1
- Tottenham – Qarabag 3-0
