UEFA Europa League: Talking Points: Matchday 2

The UEFA Europa League reached Matchday 2 last night with most of the games providing goalfests. Here are some of the many talking points to look at after round two.

1. Bayer Leverkusen Unstoppable

Bayer Leverkusen is one of the most impressive sides in the top five European leagues this season. This season, they are yet to taste defeat in 9 matches in all competitions.  Last night,  they continued their form winning 2-1 against Molde of Norway away from home.

2. Brighton & Hove Albion Can’t Get Momentum In Europe

Brighton has been one of the clubs that has won the hearts of the fans in the English Premier League in the past two seasons. Their qualification to participate in the European competition was a huge success for a club especially not known for spending much on transfers. But they are yet to get their continental journey off to a good start. In the first game, they suffered a 3-2 loss to AEK Athens then last night they drew 2-2 away to Marseille. Despite coming from a goal down but they are yet to live up to expectations. Things are relatively not going into their side as they have gone three games without a victory in all competitions. 

3. James Ward- Prowse Great Signing For West Ham.

Since James Ward-Prowse signed for West Ham from Southampton at the start of the season has proved to be a great signing and a perfect fit for the club. The 28-year-old Englishman has contributed to the eight goalscoring chances in all eight matches in the Hammers shirt. Last night, he provided an assist in his side crucial 2-1 to SC Freiburg. In one of the reasons that many fans were questioning the English national team coach Gareth Southgate’s decision to leave the player in his squad in the upcoming international matches next week.

4. Can Free-Sscoring Slavia Praha Continue Their Impressive Run?

Slavia Praha has been a surprise package on how they have found it easy to dispatch the clubs this campaign.  They have won two games scoring an impressive eight goals without conceding one goal. In their match against Sheriff,  they thrashed the opponent 6-0 in front of the home ground in Eden Arena. Their run of form in the European competition this season might come as a shock to many but those following the Czech Republic league will know they are unstoppable there too. In the ten league matches,  they won seven and drew three and yet to test a defeat. It remains to be seen if they can manage to carry the form and go much further in the tournament. 

5. AS Roma Seem To Perform In European Competition

AS Roma has started badly in the Italian Serie A this season. They have only won two matches in the seven league games and lie 13th on the log table. But they are a different team when it comes to European competition as they won their first two matches. Their performance must not come as a shock though, mentor Jose Mourinho is known well for winning trophies and has a very track record when it comes to the continental tournament.  Besides that, last season they finished as runners-up in the same trophy and would want to go further this year. Can this be their turning point back to winning ways?