Europa League Semi Finals 2017 (1st leg)

Posted by Tony Cosgrove on May 5, 2017 9:58:00 AM

 

Stockholm 2017

Four teams remain in Europe's second tier competition. Along with the glory of winning this major trophy, there is a priceless position in next years Champions League up for grabs.

Who will progress to the all important final in Stockholm on May 24.

Manchester United

Favourites to win the competition. Looking more and more like they will need to in order to return to Champions League football next year.

The Red Devils currently sit 5th in the BPL and have, on more than one occasion, squandered opportunities to enter CL qualification via League standings.

The Europa League is the only major trophy United have never won.

Ajax

The last time the Dutch side were in the Europa League semi finals ('92) they went on to win the competition. Bosz is hoping history will repeat itself and bring trophies to the Amsterdam Arena within his first twelve months in charge; a very impressive League and European double still to play for.

Lyon

This is new battleground for the French side, having never been to the Europa League semi final. That being said, they are no stranger to European football.

In 2010, Lyon did push in the Champions League; reaching the semi finals before being denied a shot at the trophy by runners up, Bayern Munich.

 Celta Vigo

Currently sitting 11th in La Liga and having lost their last three European matches against English sides, being drawn against Manchester United for their semi final probably isn't ideal. But it is football and anything can happen.

Ex-Liverpool forward, Iago Aspas has bagged 17 league goals this year for Vigo and will be looking to cause an upset over the two legs.

 

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Topics: Football, Manchester United, Celta Vigo, Pogba, Lyon, Ajax, Europa League