After two days of entertaining UCL Semi Matchups, it was time for the UEL Semi Finals to take centre stage as four teams battled it out for a place in the final. In the two semi finals, Manchester United faced off against AS Roma, whereas Villarreal hosted Arsenal.
MANCHESTER UNITED VS AS ROMA:-
With crosstown rivals City making their mark on Wednesday,it was time for United to show the world that they are still capable of being the top dog in Manchester. Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær has been facing a lot of criticism for losing 4 semi finals in two years and another semi final lost here might prove to be the final straw.
United made the dream start when they took the lead inside 9 minutes through Bruno Fernandes who made no mistake in his finish to snatch his 25th goal of the season.
However things quickly took a bad turn for the host, as Roma were awarded a controversial penalty for a controversial handball through Paul Pogba. Roma Captain Lorenzo Pellegrini cooly converted from the spot in the 15th minute.
Pellegrini then turned provider for Former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko who tapped in from close range to make it 2-1 inside 33 minutes. He became the first man to score for three different clubs in three Competitions against Manchester United at Old Trafford after he scored for Vfl Wolfsburg in the UCL and scored 4 times for City in the Premier League.
Roma however were forced into three substitutions in the first half through injuries and then Manchester United would they have been doing all season. Coming back into the second half.
A 5 star second half performance from the Red Devils saw them put 5 past Roma to win the game and eventually kill the tie at 6-2. Two goals from Edinson Cavani, a penalty from Bruno Fernandes and strikes from Paul Pogba and Mason Greenwood sealed the deal.
VILLARREAL VS ARSENAL:-
Due to their struggling league form, Arsenal knew that the winning the Europa League is the only chance they have if they want to play European Football next season. They faced of against Villarreal managed by former boss Unai Emery who was sacked one and a half year later and replaced was replaced by Mikel Arteta.
The Spanish Outfit made the perfect start as they went 1-0 inside 5 minutes. Samuel Chukwueze made a great run down the right wing. However he was unable to find a way through. He was helped out by his teammate Manuel Trigueros who drilled the effort into the bottom left corner from a tight angle.
The host then doubled their advantage when Centre Back Raul Albiol was left unmarked in the box. He fired in from the back of the net from a resulting flick on by Gerrard Moreno in the 29th minute.
Arsenal were reduced to 10 men when Dani Ceballos was sent for a second yellow in the 57th minute. The ten men visitors whoever pulled a goal back from the penalty spot in the 73rd minute through Nicolas Pepe. The Gunners were denied a penalty in the first half for handball by Pepe, but there was no denying them this time.
The game finished 10 men a piece as Etienne Capoue picked up a second yellow for a challenge on Saka. It finished 2-1 to Villarreal, but due to Arsenal's away goal the tie is left wide open.
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