The round of 16 of the Europa League kicked off today, with some enticing match-ups and some good opportunities for Americans to make their mark.
Jozy Altidore will look to keep his recent hot streak going as he leads AZ Alkmaar against Italian side Udinese, while USA teammate Steve Cherundolo captains Hannover 96 against Standard Liege.
The most intriguing match-up of the day takes place at Old Trafford, where Manchester United takes on a very dangerous Athletic Bilbao squad featuring several promising transfer target, and led by outstanding manager Marcelo Bielsa.
Here is a rundown of today's matches, all of which can be seen on TV:
1pm- GolTV- Atletico Madrid vs. Besiktas
1pm- DirecTV 481- Sporting Lisbon vs. Manchester City
1pm- DirecTV 482- FC Twente vs. Schalke 04
1pm- DirecTV 483- Metalist vs. Olympiakos
3pm- GolTV- AZ vs. Udinese
3pm-DirecTV 481- Manchester United vs. Athletic Bilbao
3pm- DirecTV 482- Valencia vs. PSV Eindhoven
3pm- DirecTV 483- Standard Liege vs. Hannover 96
If you will be watching today's matches, or want to discuss the day's earlier matches, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.
Enjoy the action.
You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.
Another from AZ! And Jozy in on this one as well with another cross. Utter domination by Eridivisie over Serie A!!!
Altidore cross leads to a second goal although not an assist.
2-0 AZ Jozy with another assist I believe.
Jozy with another assist!
AZ’s coach moonlights as a wizard in Lord of the Rings.
Would be something if Man U and Man City both lost today…
2:1 Bilbao…a lesson in football! Too bad they got rid of the Intertoto Cup; maybe Manchester United will have a better luck there. The teams in Europa League are too good for United, it seems…if people cannot the downward spiral of this United side, they are delussional…
Yes, this would be an excellent result for the Eridivisie.
True enough, my friend. Well, they paid for it there, and they may be finally paying for it with Italia’s recent lousy international results and lack of many standout young players. Generations of obsessive defensive tactics is not likely to produce many great, creative players. If Italy doesn’t watch out, they’ll turn into England.
And people say AZ can only do what they do in the Dutch League because no one plays defense. They have been looking mighty good against a Defensive Italian side.
he decides to just blast the ball across the goal mouth and it deflects right up to the head of (not sure who that was, no sound here maybe Elm?).
That’s Italian football for you, Tom. Like it or not. (I personally do not)
Altidore with the assist as AZ go up 1-0!
There it is! Goal AZ! Assist Jozy!!!!
Goal AZ… a deflected Jozy cross leads to a goal.
Jozy in on the play.
Gooooooooal AZ!!!
I can’t believe a top 4 Serie A team is going into a defensive shell against an Eridivisie club. This is ridiculous.
Dang Italians with their defensive, tactical, boring football.
Well, Bilbo did get shallakced by Madrid 4-1, but they did tie Barcelona. They also made the Copa del Rey final; what is impressing me is that they are doing it at Old Trafford.
Second half starts worse off for United than the first, 5 minutes in, Bilbao with 3 clear cut chances to score, all near misses, 2 amazing saves by De Gea…
Too bad American soccer fans are brainwashed to worship the Premier League, while, at the moment, La Liga and Seria A, have a lot more quality teams and players to watch.
Pass Jozy the damn ball!
It also says something about the meme that all La Liga teams besides Barcelona and Real Madrid are crap.
Barcelona and Real Madrid are far and away the best teams in Europe.
If Bilbao is this dominating against United… just imagine what Barcelona or Madrid would do to them.
high hopes (no sarcasm intended)
1:1 Llorente. The least Bilbao deserves based on the first half performance. It’s sad that such a mediocre Manchester United team is a title contender in England; tells you a lot about the quality of the league…
he’s shown well in a holding role, AZ has dominated possession and he has been good with the ball. no real clear cut chances though, Udinese has been strong in their defensive third.
there it is for bilbao!
37 minutes in, Manchester United miraculously up 1:0 on Bilbao. Bilbao should be up by 3 goals, a couple of one on one misses, a great save by De Gea; United are being totally outplayed, but are still leading. Great game fom the Basq club!
woo, Udinese hits a dangerous shot off a set piece that is palmed over by the goalie.
Surprised to see Udinese parking the bus. They’ve got 10 men in the box. They’ve shown nothing so far.
AZ totally dominating this game, yet just can’t break through
yeah, doing some great hold-up work under pressure. Looking good so far.
Jozy does look lively today. Moving off the ball well, decent runs into dangerous spaces and laying the ball off to teammates with moderate success. He’s obviously full of confidence and I hope he continues to grow with more.
A little off topic but seeing as how MLS starts really soon (woohoo!) it might be relevant to SBI readers. I watched both CCL games last night and watching this AZ/Udinese game now. And especially the Sounders game makes me truly believe that MLS is on the rise. The quality of play in last nights game and today’s Europa game isn’t too far apart. In NO way am I saying MLS is on the level of Serie A or the Eredivise, but overall quality in my mind has undeniably improved. Sounders in preseason form looked good against midseason Santos. This Europa game has just as many wayward passes and missed opportunities. It’s excitng to see. As a lifelong MLS fan, this is the most excited I’ve ever been for a season.
AZ is really taking it to Udinese early. Creating chances and looking dangerous.
Jozy crosses on a rebound; resulting shot is out for a corner; AZ dominating possession and looking dangerous.
I hope one day my kids can live in a world where illegal streams of international soccer games will be clear and uninterrupted.
Altidore played in behind on the right but the ball was pushed too far wide for him and he could only hit a weak low cross in the box.
This is wayyyy off-topic, but The Classical has an interesting article on Brek Shea the painter:
http://theclassical.org/theclog/brek-shea-artist
Not sure how Ives feels about links to other blogs, but I don’t think they’re a competitor, so hopefully it doesn’t get deleted.
Jozy involved early on in 8th min to lay ball off to Elm who gets a shot on target. Saved. Did ok there.
agreed. he kept doing that against italy too.
Jozy going to ground again. Wish he’d cut that out. He’s too big to let his size go to waste like that. Hold ’em off and find a teammate or shoot. Come on son.
Woah there. I love how* both teams…..
I lovownow both teams have players with “double” names. Maarten Martens for AZ and Floro Flores for Udinese.
dude, look above you. jesus christ…
“3pm- GolTV- AZ vs. Udinese”
what channel is the az game on?
Jozy in the starting 11. Woot. I’m glad I get to watch Jozy in a club match on tv for the first time in a long time. Hope he does well with his chances today. Udinese not starting Di Natale. Good news for AZ. Alright Josimer, show ’em what you got!
Is Jozy in the starting line-up for AZ?