Still undefeated in this Europa League, TFC faced a very big challenge on this 3rd day of the group stage. The winner of the Coupe de France this time traveled to Anfield to face Liverpool. Like a scent of revenge from 2007 when the English had crushed the Occitans. Obviously, Jürgen Klopp’s men were big favorites in this meeting. The German even took the opportunity to rotate his squad. A rather judicious choice since Jota had fun in the Toulouse defense to quickly open the score (1-0, 9th). The Violets could not fear further humiliation but in reality they took advantage of a certain relaxation to come back to the score.
Guilty on Jota’s goal, Dallinga made up for this offering from Dönnum and equalized at the end of the race (1-1, 16th). This joy was short-lived as the Reds resumed their march forward. Remains even kept his side afloat in front of Gravenberch and Núñez but ended up cracking on this header from Endo (2-1, 30th). In the process, Nunez scored the goal of the break (3-1, 34th). The second half could have become crazy if Suazo had not missed the inevitable (47th). Instead, Restes saved his team a little more (56th), Núñez also fell on his left post but Gravenberch followed and widened the gap (4-1, 65th), before Mohamed Salah, who entered a few minutes earlier, does not seal the match (5-1, 90th+3). The Toulouse team lost heavily but is still in the qualifying game, even if they give up 2nd place to Union Saint-Gilloise, 5 points behind the Reds.
Rennes got scared
For its part, Stade Rennais needed to reassure itself after three consecutive defeats in all competitions. This lack of confidence seemed to be quickly swept away by Gouiri’s first goal in the 7th minute on this cross from Enzo Le Fée (0-1). The new Algerian international was even close to the double if the Brignoli post had not repelled his attempt (14th). However, the Bretons quickly fell back into their faults, in addition to suffering the physical problems of Le Fée and the injury exit of Bourigeaud (30th). After Omari in Lorient, it was Belocian (21st) then Assignon (33rd) who accumulated small errors, without consequence until then, even if Bernard’s shot, slowed down by Belocian, fortunately ended its course in the arms of Mandanda.
The break felt good. Genesio’s players returned from the locker room with better intentions after this big weak time. Kalimuendo even doubled the lead on this free kick from the incoming Rieder (0-2, 49th). The Bretons took the right path this evening, except that a new defensive error this time proved fatal. Assignon offered a penalty to the Greeks which Ioannidis transformed (1-2, 61st). It’s still not tonight that Rennais will experience a quiet evening. Each incursion by the locals made us fear the worst, especially as Kalimuendo failed against Brignoli (70th), again the author of a magnificent save on this shot from Gouiri (81st). Until the end, the Rennes were trembling, like the rescue of Belocian (73rd) and this double opportunity from Mladenovic and Mancini (90th + 7), but achieved a precious success which allowed them to take the lead of the group in their own right. evening opponent.
Brighton attack OM
In the evening’s other matches, Brighton beat Ajax 2-0 thanks to goals from Joao Pedro and Fati. Building on their first victory in C3 this season, the Seagulls return to one point behind OM, who beat AEK Athens earlier in the evening. In the Toulouse pool, Union Saint-Gilloise snatched a 2-1 victory when they hosted LASK. José Mourinho’s Roma performed well by winning 2-0 against Slavia Prague and took the lead in their group. But the other card of the evening is to the credit of Bayer Leverkusen who knocked out Qarabag with a score of 5-1. Xabi Alonso’s protégés have still not lost this season in all competitions.
The complete standings for the Europa League group stage.
The results of the 9 p.m. matches:
Group B:
Brighton 2 – 0 Ajax Amsterdam: Joao Pedro (42nd), Fati (53rd)
Group E:
Liverpool 5 – 1 Toulouse: Jota (9th), Endo (30th), Nunez (34th), Gravenberch (65th), Salah (90th + 3); Dallinga (16th)
Union Saint-Gilloise 2 – 1 Linz ASK: Puertas (sp 84th), Burgess (90th + 4); Usor (24th)
Group F:
Panathinaikos 1 – 2 Rennais Stadium : Ioannidis (sp 61e); Gouiri (7th), Kalimuendo (49th)
Group G:
AS Roma 2 – 0 Slavia Prague: Bove (1st), Lukaku (17th)
Sheriff Tiraspol 1 – 1 Servette Geneva: Ankeye (80th); Crivelli (41st)
Group H:
Bayer Leverkusen 5 – 1 Qarabag: Wirtz (4th), Grimaldo (29th, 54th), Boniface (35th), Tapsoba (57th); Bayramov (sp 16th)
Pub. THE
Update