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The first matchday of the new 2024/2025 Europa League format (a single 36-team group) is in the books. Ivan Juric’s Roma started strong, relying on Dovbyk’s goal-scoring instinct to break the deadlock against Athletic Bilbao at the Stadio Olimpico: a perfect movement and header from a cross by Angelino (third consecutive goal in three games for the former Girona player). Everything seemed perfect until the 85th minute, when the Basques found the equalizer through Aitor Paredes.
Among the matches played at 18:45, the victories of Fenerbahce and Rangers stand out. José Mourinho’s Turkish side defeated Belgium’s Royale Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1. The Istanbul team took the lead through former Leicester and Atletico Madrid player Soyuncu. The visitors were reduced to ten men after Mac Allister was sent off in the second half, and the home side doubled their lead with an own goal by Burgess in the 82nd minute. The final moments were eventful: first, Fenerbahce’s Osayi-Samuel was shown a second yellow card, then USG’s Ivanovic missed a penalty, followed by Sykes' consolation goal in the 93rd minute. However, it wasn’t enough, and Mourinho celebrated his first three points in the tournament.
The Glasgow Rangers secured an away win in Sweden: against Malmo, goals from former Sassuolo player Bajrami in the 1st minute and McCausland in the 76th were enough. In the evening, the commanding victory of Ajax, coached by Italian Francesco Farioli, was noteworthy: a 4-0 win over Ciro Immobile’s Besiktas at the Johan Cruijff Arena. The goals came from Fitz-Jim, a brace from Godts, and Taylor. The former Lazio captain and striker came on at the start of the second half.
There was a thrilling draw between Eintracht Frankfurt and Viktoria Plzen in Germany (3-3): goals for the German side came from Ekitiké, Ebimbe, and former Roma player Kristensen, while the visitors’ goals were scored by Sulc, Adu, and Jamelka. Steaua Bucharest had an easy win at home against Latvia’s Rigas Skola (4-1). Birligea opened the scoring, followed by a temporary equalizer from the visitors’ Lipuscek. Then, Stefanescu and a brace from Olaru sealed the match.
Lyon won their first Europa League match by defeating Olympiacos 2-0, the 2024 Conference League champions, who beat Fiorentina in the final: second-half goals from Cherki and Benrahma were decisive. A comeback victory on penalties for Sporting Braga against Maccabi Tel Aviv (2-1): the visitors took the lead from the spot with Davida in the 30th minute of the first half, but Bruma equalized in the 88th minute and sent the Portuguese fans into a frenzy with a 95th-minute penalty winner.
Tottenham had a tough start at home against Qarabag: former Genoa player Dragusin was sent off in the 7th minute for a last-man foul. Despite being down a man, the Spurs took the lead in the 12th minute with Brennan Johnson. Pape Matar Sarr doubled the lead in the 52nd minute, and Solanke added a third. Qarabag missed a golden opportunity to get back into the match when Bayramov missed a penalty in the 58th minute.
