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

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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