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Europa League as it happened

GOALFLASHES AND MAJOR INCIDENTS (all times GMT)

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By Sam Lyon

2010: That's it from me folks, thanks as always for your company. I would say have the rest of the night off but the text commentaries just keep on rolling with Oliver Brett talking you all through the second day of the third Ashes Test, while Pranav Soneji is your man for tomorrow's Champions League and Europa League draws. I'm back in the hot-seat first thing on Saturday morning for a bumper day of Premier League action so hope to see you all then. Adios amigos.

2005: JUVENTUS 1-1 MAN CITY
Jon Barbuti reports:
"If, to set up a contrived summary, it's OK to say a team can be embarrassed by losing a dead rubber away at one of the historically great clubs in Europe, then Jo saved Man City's blushes. A much-changed City rarely gelled, but there were positives for Roberto Mancini - Adam Johnson was sharp, Jo took his goal well and as group winners the Blues may get an easier draw. Job done."

Europa League Jon: "The King is dead! (How I hope that bit of text isn't now appearing at airports and stations across the UK…) Holders Atletico Madrid could only manage a draw at Bayer Leverkusen in Group B, though that in itself was academic as Aris's win against Rosenberg sealed their fate. The only other issue to be resolved in the early kick-offs was who would qualify out of Lille and Gent In Group C and it was never really a contest, Lille cruising home 3-0."

1958: We'll hear from Europa League Jon in a moment to clarify who is in and who is out tonight, but don't forget that later on after this commentary has been wrapped up you can stay across our latest scores to keep yourselves updated on all things European football.

joe_white_22 on 606: "How dreadful a standard must Serie A be? Juventus are second aren't they and yet they're looked second favourites at home to City's second team."

statzner on Twitter: "It's sad to see Juvetus, Atletico Madrid and Palermo all failing to make it to the next round."

1954: A case of job done for Manchester City, then, as they top Group A courtesy of that draw in Turin and Lech Poznan only winning 1-0 at SV Salzburg. Juventus, meanwhile, end the group stages with six draws out of six - only the second team to do that in a Uefa club competition after AEK Athens in the 2002-03 Champions League.

Full time
1949: FULL-TIME Juventus 1-1 Man City

1947: This is nice - Manchester City birthday boy Christopher Chantler is handed the briefest of first-team run-outs to mark the occasion, Shaun Wright-Phillips the man replaced.

1944: The winger can't wrap his foot around it, however, and the ball flies straight as an arrow past the far post.

Yellow card
1944: And now James Milner earns City a free-kick in a good position, felled by Mohamed Sissoko as he burst forward - earning the Juve man a booking. Adam Johnson is over it, 20 yards out...

1943: ...it comes to absolutely zero.

1942: Five minutes to go, and City have a corner...

1940: Nice spell of keep-ball from Man City as they look to pass their way through these final few minutes.

1937: As we enter the final 10 minutes the City fans are back in full voice, which is nice. It looks, as it stands, like they will be rewarded with a draw that will see their side reach the last 32 as group winners, too.

Yellow card
1935: Bit of a flare-up between Adam Johnson and Felipe Melo as the Juventus midfielder clips the City winger's legs, Melo going into the referee's notebook as a result.

Goooooooaaaaaaaaal
Man City goal: He could have had three already tonight - but Jo has just converted his most difficult chance to date to level it up and send City back to the top of Group A, turning on Adam Johnson's pass and firing low into the corner from 12 yards.

1933: GOALFLASH Juventus 1-1 Man City (Jo)

Yellow card
1931: Pablo Zabaleta has talked himself into the game's first booking as he complains about another decision going against Manchester City.

1930: Almost a moment of genius from Alessandro del Piero, the Italian stepping on to his left foot from the right and curling inches past the far post from 20 yards with Shay Given completely beaten.

1927: It wouldn't have counted anyway because of an offside flag, but that's a fine save from Juve keeper Alex Manninger. James Milner's slide-rule pass is poked goalwards from six yards by Jo - but Manninger is out brilliantly to smother. Jo is not exactly covering himself in glory tonight, to say the least.

1926: A reminder, then, that as it stands Lech Poznan win Group A with Man City qualifying in second. The draw for the last 32 and the last 16 of the Champions League - with live text commentary on this website - is tomorrow from around midday.

SimChallenges on Twitter: "Just one of those days for City. Three penalty shouts, second in the group and one goal down. Could make a Christmas Carol."

1923: James Milner, who has been told to push on through the middle with Pablo Zabaleta sitting in behind him now fires at goal from Jo's nod-down, but it flies wide from 20 yards.

1919: So many more chances being created this half, and Mohamed Sissoko is handed a free header from a corner - the midfielder heading wastefully wide.

1917: It's Alex Nimely's final action as he comes off to be replaced by Pablo Zabaleta.

1915: Massive penalty shout. Adam Johnson's lay-back is spanked goalwards by Alex Nimely and it looks like Giorgio Chiellini pushes his hands to the ball to punch it away - referee Istvan Vad is unconvinced, though, and much to the bemusement of the young City striker waves play on. I have to say Chiellini looks a lucky boy.

1913: This is a cracking spell of play, I tell you, and Milos Krasic goes agonisingly close to doubling Juve's lead - his curling effort from 20 yards forcing a fingertip save over his bar from Shay Given. From the corner Niccolo Giannetti somehow fails to turn in from close range and Nicola Legrottaglie scuffs his follow-up. Let-off for City.

1910: City bounce and Adam Johnson should do better as he is found in space inside the area, but he refuses to shoot first time and that allows Zdenek Grygera to block his right-foot shot.

1909: Felipe Melo crashes in a low shot from range, but City keeper Shay Given is well behind it to save low down. Much more like it in terms of a spectacle this half.

1907: Oh that's close. Adam Johnson's fine clipped pass over the top is turned in by Jo from eight yards - but the linesman's flag is raised for offside. Replays suggest the City striker might just have been level... hhmm.

AndySzpuk on Twitter: "City never make things easy for themselves - all adds to the excitement factor though eh?"

1905: And now Juve create a decent chance, Armand Traore whipping in a fine cross from the left that just evades the head of goalscorer Niccolo Giannetti inside the City box. Is this match starting to open up?

Europa League Jon: "Now then, goals are, if not flying in, at least starting to arrive with the regularity of a village bus service in winter. It looks bad for holders Atletico Madrid in Group B as Aris are beating Rosenberg 1-0. If the Greek side hold on they will be through, though Atletico are doing little to apply the pressure - going in all square at Bayer Leverkusen. The only other goal you haven't heard about was scored by Levski Sofia against Sporting though it matters for little more than personal pride as Sporting are through."

1902: ...and much like the first half, Jo should have an early goal - the striker picked out by Adam Johnson but heading wide from six yards when he really should have at least got it on target.

1901: The second half gets under way in Turin.

Anon via text: "As a Rushden and Diamonds fan I just wanted to give full respect to Adam Johnson who has said he's playing tonight in name of his mate and our goalkeeper Dale Roberts who tragically passed away on Tuesday, just shows how much of a family football can be."
Great shout mate, nice one.

rrengland3 on Twitter: "In addition to Vieira's rare start it's also his 100th appearance in Europe."

1853: Bit slim on goals so far isn't it? Fear not, I am the goal king and I deliver every time. Even if it means cheating. So why not check out our special festive edition of Goals of the Week? Aces.

SimplyZola on 606: "Regardless, I expect Man City to beat whoever they get in the next round."

peterswan96 on Twitter: "Lots of work for City to do. Not only have they got to get a goal back, but also need to sort out their rocky defence."

Half time
1849: HALF-TIME Juventus 1-0 Man City
Jon Barbuti's HT snap-shot:
"Anything you can do, we can do better. Man City give a 19-year-old striker his first start and he hits the post - Juventus hand a debut to a 19-year-old striker and he only goes and scores. Everything else was utterly forgettable"

1845: And there goes the half-time whistle. Work for City to do.

Goooooooaaaaaaaaal
Juventus goal: That changes things in Group A. Alessandro del Piero makes a yard down the left and his cross is prodded home by Niccolo Giannetti ahead of the attentions of Dedryck Boyata. As it stands, Lech Poznan and not City top the group.

1843: GOALFLASH Juventus 1-0 Man City (Giannetti)

Europa League Jon: "So Lech Poznan have taken the lead against Salzburg in Manchester City's group - it's a goal that changes nothing but at least it's a goal. Aah another goal - Europa League you're spoiling us. In Group C, Lille have taken the lead against Gent and will qualify as it stands."

Someone has struck the woodwork
1837: Post! Alex Nimely rises to meet Shaun Wright-Phillips's cross and sends his header against the far post... but the whistle had gone and it wouldn't have counted anyway.

1836: We have our first goal of the evening! Unfortunately, it's in Austria as Lech Poznan take the lead against SV Salzburg. That draws the Polish side level on points alongside Man City in Group A but behind them on goal difference. A couple more goals for Poznan could make things interesting however...

1834: Good defending inside his own area by Juve centre-half Giorgio Chiellini as he gets his body in between Jo and the goal to ensure Shaun Wright-Phillips's through-ball can't find his City team-mate.

1832: This time Alessandro del Piero looks to release Pepe in the City box from the edge of the area - but Shaun Wright-Phillips is back well to prod behind for a corner. It comes to nothing.

1829: Ooh - half a glimpse of one of the teams finding some quality space in an attacking third, but Manchester City's Jo sees his cross from inside the box on the left cut out easily and cleared. Moments later, Jo and Adam Johnson go for a one-two on the edge of the box but the latter is muscled out of it and again the Italians clear their lines.

1826: If things carry on at this pace, we might have to start busting out the puns again to keep us amused people. Very much a tame, limp midfield battle at the moment in Turin.

1823: Hhmm... after the bright start the game has entered that period where both teams seem content to feel each other out for a while. Patrick Vieira's putting himself about nicely in midfield, though.

jimbohammers on 606: "City fans are in full voice, any Juventus fans there?"
Very few mate, very few.

1820: We've had 20 minutes in Turin and I think it's fair to say Roberto Mancini will be the happier of the managers so far. Not a huge amount in the way of goal-scoring opportunities, mind.

1816: Long-ranger from wide on the right by Alessandro del Piero, but the veteran's left-footed effort drifts harmlessly over Shay Given's crossbar.

1813: Should do better, Alex Nimely, as he is found unmarked by a floated Adam Johnson free-kick, but he heads wide from 10 yards. It wasn't easy to be fair.

1811: And that's why Alessandro del Piero can still be so dangerous. He looks to have been crowded out of it on the edge of the City box but he somehow wriggles between Jerome Boateng and James Milner and he's through in the box - only for a fine diving tackle by Dedryck Boyata to deflect his goalbound shot behind for a corner.

1810: Juventus just starting to get their foot on the ball for the first time in this match in the last couple of minutes - and there's a first, albeit brief, glance of the old and the new that is their attack Alessandro del Piero and Niccolo Giannetti.

JonnyMcQuoid on Twitter: "Adam Johnson looks like he has the beating of the Juventus right back... I expect a double from him tonight!"

1806: It's all City - and Juve midfielder Mohamed Sissoko is fortunate when his deflection from Wayne Bridge's cross is tipped around his own post on the stretch by home keeper Alex Manninger.

1805: And now there's a big penalty shout from the visitors as James Milner's attempted cross strikes the hand of Zdenek Grygera in the box - but referee Istvan Vad correctly rules it was a case of ball-to-hand.

1803: Very bright start this from Manchester City, and already Juve's high defensive line is being tested.

1801: Fabulous break by Man City and they should be a goal to the good already. Micah Richards bursts into space behind the defence down the right and almost picks out Jo six yards out, Giorgio Chiellini back well to bundle the ball away. Adam Johnson, on the follow-up, is closed down.

1800: We're up and running at the Stadio Olimpico...

gusgriller on Twitter: "This could be the last game for City for a few players tonight - Bridge, SWP, Jo, Given perhaps."

1757: Here come the players, then, and let me tell you it is blooming freezing in Turin. Matters are not helped by the fact that barely more than two men and their dogs are in attendance in the home end. No such problems in the away end, where the Man City fans are out in force - fair play to them.

shivamLM on Twitter: "Is it wrong to hope for a 6-6?"

Anon via text: "Not a bad reserve side City are fielding tonight. I predict 2-0 City."

onchocinco on 606: "I wonder if winning the Europa League along with a top-four finish are the minimum requirements for Mancini to keep his job?"

1755: JUVENTUS v MAN CITY
Jon Barbuti reports:
"If things can go wrong for a club even while they are moving joint top of the Premier League who knows what could happen during an essentially dead Europa League rubber. On Saturday, City's joy at temporarily reaching the summit was immediately tempered by captain and key striker Carlos Tevez handing in a transfer request. Tonight they face Juventus with their European progress already assured. Manager Roberto Mancini will want the win that guarantees top spot in the group but, more than anything, he will probably want a quiet night on his return to Italy."

Europa League Jon: "Most of you will have been keeping your Europa League wallcharts lovingly up to date so will know who needs to do what to qualify. But for those at the back of the class, here's a refresher... Group A we know about - Man City and Lech Poznan are through and City will be guaranteed top spot if they win at Juventus. In Group B, holders Atletico Madrid are in trouble. They visit a Leverkusen side already assured of top spot and need to better Greek club Aris' result against bottom-club Rosenborg. If Atletico and Aris finish level on points the latter qualify courtesy of a better head-to-head record. Group C features a winner-takes-all clash with Lille hosting Gent. What happens if it's a draw you scream. Well, Gent only go and qualify. Sporting are already assured top spot. Group G: AEK Athens face group winners Zenit St Petersburg needing a point to advance. If they lose they'll be eliminated if Anderlecht beat Hadjuk Split. Group H: Easy - VfB Stuttgart and Young Boys are through in that order. Group I: PSV Eindhoven and Metalist Kharkiv are through, the latter needing at least a high-scoring win by two goals to overtake their rivals.

1749: JUVENTUS v MAN CITY
Jon Barbuti reports:
"Alex Nimely is handed his first start for Manchester City as boss Roberto Mancini makes nine changes to the side that beat West Ham on Saturday. Nimely, a 19-year-old Liberian striker, is joined in the 11 by five England internationals - Wayne Bridge, Adam Johnson, James Milner, Shaun Wright-Phillips and captain Micah Richards. There is also a rare start for Patrick Vieira against one of his former clubs. For Juve, there are two players with Arsenal connections - Alex Manninger and loan full-back Armand Traore - while former Liverpool man Mohamed Sissoko also starts."

Sparky222 on 606: "Just to point out that Spartak Moscow, Braga, Ajax and Twente, who have dropped down from Champions league, will be top seeds in the draw tomorrow and Rubin Kazan, Basel, Rangers and Benfica won't be seeded. So Man City can't avoid all of them even if they top the group."

1746: No danger of Man City boss Roberto Mancini not taking this seriously, by the way: "It is important to win this game because we want to top the group. We prefer not to meet the teams who come from the Champions League. It is also important for the players. We have a lot of matches coming up and we will need everyone."

MatthewUnsworth on Twitter: "I think tonight is going to be the night Nimely finally shows everyone what a great prospect he is."

1743: The draw for the Europa League last 32, by the way, takes place tomorrow afternoon - Friday, 17 December - from around 1330 GMT. The Champions League last 16 draw takes place around an hour earlier. And we'll only be covering it live on this very website with Pranav Soneji as your hosts won't we? Man we're good to you.

1741: JUVENTUS v MAN CITY
Juventus:
Manninger, Grygera, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Traore, Krasic, Sissoko, Felipe Melo, Pepe, Giannetti, Del Piero. Subs: Storari, Iaquinta, Bonucci, Buchel, Giandonato, Boniperti, Camilleri.
Man City: Given, Boateng, Richards, Boyata, Bridge, Wright-Phillips, Milner, Vieira, Adam Johnson, Jo, Nimely. Subs: Taylor, Zabaleta, Kay, Mee, Ibrahim, Chantler, Elabdellaoui.
Referee: Istvan Vad (Hungary)

SimplyZola on 606: "Should be good, I expect 3-2 to Juventus!"

1739: So as dear ol' Delia might say - let's be having you. Tweet me @sampatricklyon,text me via 81111 or join the chat over on her majesty's 606. Let's get this puppy cooking shall we?

1737: Push comes to shove, it has to be better than last night's Liverpool-FC Utrecth borefest, right?

1736: And, look, if you all get involved and are super-positive for me… I promise not to mention the Carlos Tevez situation unless absolutely necessary. Deal?

1735: Juventus, admittedly, have little to play for with qualification from the group stages beyond them. But they might want to avoid becoming only the second team to draw all six games in the group stage of a Uefa club competition, mightn't they?

1734: TEAM NEWS SNAP
Young striker Alex Nimely is handed his full debut for Manchester City, with only Jo and Jerome Boateng retaining their places from the weekend win over West Ham.

1732: I mean, yes, both teams are deploying shadow sides with their priorities set firmly on domestic matters, but there is something riding on the result of this match - for Manchester City at least. Roberto Mancini's boys must win in Italy tonight to ensure they top the group and therefore avoid a draw in the last 32 against one of the eight teams that drop down into the competition from the Champions League in the knockout stages. Draw or lose, and Lech Poznan could theoretically leapfrog them and ensure a potentially much tougher draw for the boys from Eastlands. Exactly.

1730: All right, the Europa League has not always delivered the goods this season - but how could you not be excited about the prospect of Juventus v Manchester City at the Stadio Olimpico?



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Europa League results

16 Dec 2010 23:59 UK

  • AEK Athens0-3Zenit St P'sbg
    FT
  • Anderlecht2-0Hajduk Split
    FT
  • Aris Salonika2-0Rosenborg
    FT
  • Bayer Leverkusen1-1Atletico Madrid
    FT
  • Debrecen2-0Sampdoria
    FT
  • Getafe1-0Young Boys
    FT
  • Juventus1-1Man CityFT
  • Levski Sofia1-0Sporting
    FT
  • Lille3-0AA Gent
    FT
  • PSV Eindhoven0-0FC Metalist Kharkiv
    FT
  • SV Salzburg0-1Lech Poznan
    FT
  • VfB Stuttgart5-1Odense BK
    FT

Europa Group A table snapshot

As it stood on 16 Dec 2010 23:59 UK

PositionTeamPGDPTS
1Man City6511
2Lech Poznan6311
3Juventus606
4SV Salzburg6-82

Europa Group B table snapshot

As it stood on 16 Dec 2010 23:59 UK

PositionTeamPGDPTS
1Bayer Leverkusen6612
2Aris Salonika6210
3Atletico Madrid628
4Rosenborg6-103

Europa Group C table snapshot

As it stood on 16 Dec 2010 23:59 UK

PositionTeamPGDPTS
1Sporting6812
2Lille628
3AA Gent6-57
4Levski Sofia6-57

Europa Group D table snapshot

As it stood on 16 Dec 2010 23:59 UK

PositionTeamPGDPTS
1Villarreal6312
2PAOK Salonika6211
3Dinamo Zagreb6-17
4Club Bruges6-43

Europa Group E table snapshot

As it stood on 16 Dec 2010 23:59 UK

PositionTeamPGDPTS
1Dynamo Kiev6411
2BATE Borisov6010
3AZ Alkmaar6-27
4FC Sheriff Tiraspol6-25

Europa Group F table snapshot

As it stood on 16 Dec 2010 23:59 UK

PositionTeamPGDPTS
1CSKA Moscow61516
2Sparta Prague609
3Palermo6-47
4Lausanne Sports6-111

Europa Group G table snapshot

As it stood on 16 Dec 2010 23:59 UK

PositionTeamPGDPTS
1Zenit St P'sbg61218
2Anderlecht607
3AEK Athens6-47
4Hajduk Split6-83

Europa Group H table snapshot

As it stood on 16 Dec 2010 23:59 UK

PositionTeamPGDPTS
1VfB Stuttgart61015
2Young Boys609
3Getafe6-47
4Odense BK6-64

Europa Group I table snapshot

As it stood on 16 Dec 2010 23:59 UK

PositionTeamPGDPTS
1PSV Eindhoven6714
2FC Metalist Kharkiv 6511
3Sampdoria6-35
4Debrecen6-93

Europa Group J table snapshot

As it stood on 16 Dec 2010 23:59 UK

PositionTeamPGDPTS
1Paris SG6512
2Sevilla6310
3Borussia Dortmund639
4Karpaty Lviv6-111

Europa Group K table snapshot

As it stood on 16 Dec 2010 23:59 UK

PositionTeamPGDPTS
1Liverpool6510
2Napoli6-17
3Steaua Bucharest6-26
4FC Utrecht6-25

Europa Group L table snapshot

As it stood on 16 Dec 2010 23:59 UK

PositionTeamPGDPTS
1FC Porto61016
2Besiktas6313
3CSKA Sofia6-63
4Rapid Vienna6-73

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