Manchester United advanced to the round of 16 in the European Football League, after defeating its guest, Barcelona, Spain, while Union Berlin succeeded in eliminating Ajax Amsterdam, and Leverkusen beat Monaco, France, in the same tournament.
Brazilian striker Anthony came off the bench to lead Manchester United for the sixteenth round in the European Football League, after the English team came from behind with a goal to a 2-1 victory over Barcelona away to win 4-3 on aggregate.
After a sensational start, Barcelona were awarded a penalty in the 18th minute after Bruno Fernandes fouled rival Alejandro Balde in the area. Robert Lewandowski successfully kicked. In the second half, United seemed a different team to equalize through Brazilian Fred, who scored from a Fernandez pass two minutes after the start of the half.
Goalkeeper David De Gea saved a dangerous attempt from Jules Conde, Barcelona player, in a defining moment in this match, as Anthony finished a wonderful attack in the net 17 minutes before the end, to qualify for United.
With this victory, Manchester United qualified for the final price of the European League, “Europa League”, and United is still competing for four titles this season, as it is close to winning its first title since 2017.
Berlin down Ajax
Union Berlin succeeded in overcoming an obstacle Ajax Amsterdam With a score of 3-1 today, Thursday, to reserve a place in the round of 16 (final price) in the European Football League, achieving the largest continental victory for the German club so far.
The German team, which has been competing in the local first division since 2019 only, advanced 3-1 on aggregate after a goalless draw in the first leg in Amsterdam, amid noisy celebrations from its fans at the Alte Fürstrei stadium.
And he did not lose onion In 2023, he leads the Bundesliga along with Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. His players shot twice in an eventful first half. Ruben Knoch scored from the penalty spot to put Union ahead in the 20th minute, before defender Josip Juranović’s shot from outside the penalty area escaped through the fingers of Ajax goalkeeper Jerónimo Rolli.
The former European champion scored his goal in the 47th minute, when Mohamed Quddous took advantage of a cross by Steven Bergwijn. But Union, who have only conceded three goals in the Europa League this season, restored their two-goal lead with a header from Danilo Djohi three minutes later.
An iconic image of Union Berlin players celebrating after scoring against RB Leipzig in a Bundesliga match
Leverkusen takes out Monaco
Bayer Leverkusen beat Monaco 5-3 on penalties after beating its opponent 3-2 in the second leg of the play-off for the sixteenth round of the European League, to send the match to extra time after the two teams tied the two matches 5-5. Monaco midfielder Elliot Matazzo hit the crossbar during the shootout and winger Moussa Diaby sealed victory for the German side. Leverkusen, who lost 3-2 in the first leg at home last week, won the second leg by the same scoreline after goals from Florian Vertz, Ezequiel Palacios and Amin Adly.
Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso was accompanied by Florian Wertz in a previous match against Copenhagen, Denmark (15/1/2023)
Leverkusen equalized the result of the two matches in the 13th minute through midfielder Wertz after a mistake by Monaco goalkeeper Alexander Noble. However, Monaco striker Wissam Ben Yedder equalized six minutes later from a penalty kick that the hosts earned after Edmond Tapsouba fouled Monaco midfielder Elias Ben Sghir. Leverkusen took the lead again in the 21st minute when midfielder Palacios fired from the edge of the penalty area after a corner kick and Adly made it 3-1 just before the hour mark with a superb header. Monaco, however, equalized the scores of the two matches again, with a header by Brill Empolo. No team managed to find the net in extra time, but Leverkusen held their nerve in the penalty shootout to advance in the competition.
The draw for the round of sixteen will take place on Friday.
P.S./P.S. (DPA, Reuters)
From Hazard to Neymar – the 10 most expensive transfers in football history
10th place – Eden Hazard
After seven years with Chelsea, the Belgian Eden Hazard (third from right) left the Premier League in the summer of 2019 to join Real Madrid. The royal club in the Spanish capital paid 115 million euros for the transfer of the playmaker.
From Hazard to Neymar – the 10 most expensive transfers in football history
Despite winning the Ballon d’Or five times and setting numerous records, Cristiano Ronaldo is not the most expensive transfer. In 2009, the Portuguese star moved from Manchester United to Real Madrid for a then-record amount of €94 million. After nine years, he left the royal club to move to Juventus Turin in 2018 for 117 million euros.
From Hazard to Neymar – the 10 most expensive transfers in football history
Eighth place: Jack Grealish
In the summer of 2021, Jack Grealish left Birmingham, his hometown club, Aston, which he had joined since he was six years old. Manchester City paid 117.5 million euros to include the left winger for the England national team, which is a record for a transfer within the English Premier League. Grealish now holds the title of ‘most valuable English player’ which is a heavy burden, as he himself later admitted.
From Hazard to Neymar – the 10 most expensive transfers in football history
Seventh place: Antoine Griezmann
After long speculation, the French star and then-world champion moved from Atletico Madrid to FC Barcelona in 2019. Barcelona paid La Liga rivals the €120m release clause stipulated in Griezmann’s old contract with Atletico. The striker was awarded a five-year contract with a release clause of 800 million euros. But later Griezmann returned to Atletico for much less money.
From Hazard to Neymar – the 10 most expensive transfers in football history
Sixth place: Enzo Fernandez
A fictional deal concluded by Benfica Lisbon: In the summer of 2022, the Portuguese club acquired the signing of midfielder Enzo Fernandez from the ancient Argentine club River Plate, for only 14 million euros. Seven months later, he sold it to Chelsea, England, for 121 million euros. Fernandez recently won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with Argentina, and was awarded the best young player in the tournament.
From Hazard to Neymar – the 10 most expensive transfers in football history
Fifth place – Joao Felix
The Portugal international (right) is considered the talent of the century. Joao Felix is a playmaker and can do almost everything with the ball: he shoots with both feet and has excellent heading technique. In the summer of 2019, Atletico Madrid ignited the race of major clubs seeking to sign the young star, and in the end, the Spaniards paid a total of 127.2 million euros to Benfica Lisbon in exchange for the services of Joao Felix.
From Hazard to Neymar – the 10 most expensive transfers in football history
Fourth place – Philippe Coutinho
In 2017, the Brazilian midfielder moved from Liverpool to Barcelona for €135 million. But in reality, Philippe Coutinho is not entirely happy in Catalonia. In the 2019/2020 season, Coutinho moved on loan to Bayern Munich for one season, and in the end the Bundesliga record holder did not activate the option to buy Coutinho for 120 million euros, so the Brazilian star returned to Barcelona after that.
From Hazard to Neymar – the 10 most expensive transfers in football history
Third place – Ousmane Dembele
When he moved to Borussia Dortmund from Rennes in the summer of 2016, he was celebrated as a football jewel. Soon Ousmane Dembele attracted the interest of the biggest clubs in Europe. The French player moved to FC Barcelona in the summer of 2017 for an amount of 140 million euros. No club in the Bundesliga has ever received such an amount in return for waiving a player.
From Hazard to Neymar – the 10 most expensive transfers in football history
Second place – Kylian Mbappe
The French star has long matured into one of the best players in the world. Many mention Kylian Mbappe at the same time they talk about stars like Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. In the summer of 2017, Paris Saint-Germain paid €180 million to buy the then 18-year-old striker from Ligue 1 rivals Monaco. In 2018, Mbappe became world champion with France, and in 2022 he became runner-up to the world champion.
From Hazard to Neymar – the 10 most expensive transfers in football history
First place – Neymar
222 million euros is the value of the penalty clause stipulated in the Brazilian star Neymar’s contract with FC Barcelona in 2017. Most people thought it was an imaginary amount until the Qatari financier came to Paris Saint-Germain and paid the amount. However, so far, neither Neymar nor Mbappe have been able to give the French club the long-awaited Champions League title that Saint-Germain has not won before. Prepared by: Stefan Netsler / Salah Sharara
