Sports

Europa League: Tottenham, Fiorentina bid to carry winning momentum

Both sides recorded 4-1 victories in recent domestic leagues games.

Afp September 30, 2015 1 min read

Dier, Alderweireld, Kane and Lamela got on the scoresheet against City in arguably Tottenham’s best performance this season, and will be looking to build on it. PHOTO: AFP

PARIS: Tottenham Hotspurs would be looking to take their momentum from the Premier League, where they thrashed Manchester City 4-1 at White Hart Lane over the weekend, in the Europa League for their Group J trip to France to take on Monaco at the Stade Louis II.

Having beaten Qarabag 3-1 in their Europa League opener, coach Mauricio Pochettino will also be doubly relieved to see two of his stars find their feet — record signing Eric Lamela dominated City’s midfield while England’s rampaging striker Harry Kane ended a goal drought.

Monaco, who lost to Valencia in the play-offs this year, made it to the Champions League semi-finals last season thanks to a rock solid defence.

The Principality side only managed a draw with Anderlecht in their opening game, but Leonardo Jardim’s side have let in eight goals in their last three league games.

Fiorentina look to end woeful Europa start

Serie A leaders Fiorentina travel to Belenenses in Portugal looking for their first points of the group as they sit bottom of Group I following a 2-1 loss at home against Swiss side Basel.

The Italians are riding high after a Nikola Kalinic hat-trick inspired them to a 4-1 win over Inter Milan at the weekend to sit top of Serie A for the first time since 1999.

Meanwhile, Belenenses are playing in their first group stages and are undefeated in Europe this season, claiming a point in a goalless draw at Lech Poznan in Poland.

Rodgers eyes good run to relieve pressure

Under-fire Liverpool handler Brendan Rodgers breathed a sigh of relief last weekend as Daniel Sturridge scored his first goals since March in a 3-2 win over Aston Villa with England midfielder James Milner also on the scoresheet.

Liverpool fans will receive Sion with a certain trepidation as the Swiss beat Russian side Rubin Kazan 2-1 last time out to top Group B.

A good run in the Europa League this year might ease the pressure on Rodgers, and for a team who have not won the domestic league since 1990, it might be their best bet for a trophy.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 1^st, 2015.

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