Europa League: the first goal at the Diego Maradona stadium in Naples, the luxury of Lo Celso, the qualifiers and the drums for the next draw

The San Paolo, now renamed the Diego Armando Maradona stadium, had its first celebration: the goal was made by the Polish Piotr Zielinski, in the 1-1 against Real Sociedad for the Europa League. Source: AFP – Credit: Alberto Pizzoli

The St. Paul it’s already called Diego Armando Maradona. Renamed, the Neapolitan football cathedral today celebrated its first goal with his new name. A Pole wrote it down Piotr Zielinski, and it did not serve to beat Real society by Europa League: the match concluded 1-1 and both teams qualified for the round of 16 the second largest competition in Europe.

Outside the stadium, a whole sanctuary set up to pay tribute to Diego Armando Maradona. Source: AFP – Credit: Alberto Pizzoli

Although the match, corresponding to the last date of the group stage, was played behind closed doors, the outskirts of Diego Armando Maradona were dyed blue and white to honor the Argentine idol, who died on November 25.

The summary of Napoli 1 vs. Royal Society 1

It was a day of heartbreak around the Old continent, which in Naples was lived twice: the memory of the figure of Maradona was added a minute of silence held at the beginning of the match for the death of Paolo Rossi. The former Italian striker died in the early hours of Thursday at the age of 64, suffering from an “incurable disease.” All the footballers wore black armbands as a tribute.

Arsenal remains unstoppable in Europe

The Gunners’ 4-2 win over Dundalk in Ireland transformed it into the only team with 100% effectiveness in European competitions. No other club achieved six victories in six games, and with 20 goals in favor (more than three per game). That performance contrasts with the current situation of the team led by Mikel Arteta in the Premier League, where he has not yet made a footing and is ranked 15th.

The summary of Dundalk 2 vs. Arsenal 4

Against Dundalk, in addition, Arteta gave minutes to several youth of the club who responded with good performances, such as the scorers Folarin Balogun and Edward Nketiah. Joseph Willock and Mohamed Elneny of Egypt also scored.

Folarin Balogun has already finished off and it will be a goal for Arsenal, who won 4-2 on their visit to Dundalk and is in the round of 32 of the Europa League. Source: Archive – Credit: Brian Lawless

The subtlety of Lo Celso in London

Tottenham He continued with the good performances he offers in the Premier League. He received Royal Antwerp from Belgium at his stadium and beat him without problems. He had reappeared Joe Hart on the arc, who hadn’t played since January 25. But there were also the Portuguese Carlos Vinicius and the Argentine Young Lo Celso, authors of the two goals of the team led by José Mourinho. The former Rosario Central, PSG and Betis scored the second conquest of the Londoners after a qualification from Harry Kane. He defined slapping with the left-handed booty, to the furthest stick of the goalkeeper to round off a great goal.

Tongue out and arms open for Giovani Lo Celso, who scored Tottenham's second goal in the 2-0 win over Royal Antwerp in the Europa League. — Tongue out and arms open for Giovani Lo Celso, who scored Tottenham’s second goal in the 2-0 win over Royal Antwerp in the Europa League. Source: Reuters – Credit: Adan Davy

The success of “baby Milan”

Stefano Pioli, coach of Milan, decided to protect players to focus on Serie A. Therefore, for the game in Prague against Sparta they had several youth minutes and there was even a debut, that of Pierre Kalulu in the central defense. The Italian press spoke of “baby Milan” And the team was not out of tune: a goal from the Norwegian sensation Jens Petter Hauge was enough to stay with the victory in Czech lands.

Jens Petter Hauge celebrates Milan's goal against Sparta Prague in the Czech Republic, on the last date of the Europa League group stage. — Jens Petter Hauge celebrates Milan’s goal against Sparta Prague in the Czech Republic, on the last date of the Europa League group stage. Source: Reuters – Credit: David W Cerny

All classifieds and how the draw will be

The Europa League group round has now come to an end and with all the qualifiers added to those third parties that join the Champions League, everything is ready for the 16th.

The draw for the next instance of the second most important top competition in the Old Continent It will take place next Monday, December 14 at 9 in the morning, Argentina time, right after the round of 16 draw of the Champions League.

Tottenham finished as leader of group J Source: Reuters – Credit: Adan Davy

The format will be as follows: the teams will be divided into two pots; in one will be all the seeds, that is, the 12 leaders of each group and the four best third parties from the Champions League. In the other will be the balls of the 12 seconds of each group and the remaining four third of the Champions League. It will be taken into account that no club can play against a team from the same group or a team from the same federation.