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Home , Ager Aketxe, Aleksandr Kokorin, Aleksei Miranchuk, Amadou Haidara, Dayot Upamecano, Emiliano Rigoni

Technical report 2017/18 Contents

Overview

Introduction Road to Lyon The final

The winning Results coach

Analysis

Talking points Route to goal Goals of the

Squad of the season

Statistics

Number Team crunching profiles INTRODUCTION

Group A Group B

Villarreal CF FC Astana SK Slavia Praha Maccabi FC Dynamo Kyiv FK Partizan BSC Young Boys KF Skënderbeu (VIL) (AST) (SLP) Tel-Aviv FC (DKV) (PAR) (YB) (SKE) (MTA)

Group C Group D

SC PFC Ludogorets TSG 1899 AC Milan AEK FC HNK Rijeka FK Austria Wien (BRA) 1945 Başakşehir Hoffenheim (MIL) (AEK) (RJK) (AW) (LUD) (IBS) (HOF)

Group E Group F

Atalanta BC Olympique Everton FC Apollon FC Lokomotiv FC København FC Sheriff FC Zlín UEFA’s Technical Observers (from left to right): Milenko (ATA) Lyonnais (EVE) Limassol FC Moskva (KOB) (SHE) (ZLI) Ačimovič, Jerzy Engel, Mixu Paatelainen, , (LYO ) (APL) (LOM) Ghenadie Scurtul, Stefan Majewski, Frank Ludolph Group G Group H

FC Viktoria Plzeň FCSB FC Lugano Hapoel Beer- Arsenal FC FK Crvena zvezda 1. FC Köln FC BATE Borisov Analysis, reflection (PLZ) (FCSB) (LUG) Sheva FC (ARS) (ZVE) (KLN) (BATE) (HBS) and debate Group I Group J UEFA’s Technical Observers Group met after the final in Lyon to discuss the season’s key trends. FC Olympique de Vitória SC Athletic Club Östersunds FK FC Zorya Luhansk Hertha BSC (SAL) (KON) (VSC) (ATH) (OST) (ZOR) Berlin Their thoughts form the basis of this report (MAR) (HRT) Group K Group L This review of the 2017/18 UEFA Europa the morning after the final between Olympique Mixu Paatelainen, the national coach of League campaign serves as a of a de Marseille and Club Atlético de . Latvia who has played and coached in five season that spanned 205 matches, from the Thomas Schaaf, the coach who different countries around Europe, provided opening of the group stage in September to guided Werder Bremen to the final of this some illuminating observations, and there the final at the Stade de Lyon on 16 May. competition in 2009, chaired this review were equally valuable contributions from SS Lazio OGC Nice SV Zulte Vitesse FC Zenit Rosenborg BK FK Vardar It is a report offering factual and statistical panel alongside Frank Ludolph, UEFA’s Ghenadie Scurtul, technical director of the (LAZ) (NCE) Waregem (VIT) (ZEN) de Fútbol (ROS) (VRD) information about the ninth season of the Head of Football Education Services, Moldovan Football Federation (FMF), and (ZUL) (RS) UEFA Europa League in its present format, and they heard some fascinating insights the former Slovenia and Crvena zvezda with the aim of providing a deeper analysis about the tactical approaches and trends Milenko Ačimovič. of the action on the field of play through witnessed from the experienced coaching The end product is a report that intends Clubs joined from the UEFA Champions League the interpretations of UEFA’s Technical figures in attendance. to provide coaches across the continent Observers Group. Jerzy Engel, the former Poland national with food for thought. It will be made This small group of coaches delivered their team coach, drew on his vast experience, available to members of the coaching family input on every match from the round of 16 together with his compatriot Stefan throughout Europe and, hopefully, will help onwards and their reports and reflections Majewski, formerly a Poland international development coaches stay aware of the Club Atlético Borussia Celtic FC PFC CSKA SSC Napoli RB Leipzig FC Spartak Sporting Clube provided the substance for the discussion that defender and now sport director of the prevailing styles and strategies at the top de Madrid Dortmund (CEL) Moskva (NAP) (RBL) Moskva de Portugal took place when they met together in Lyon on Polish Football Association (PZPN). end of the club game. (ATL) (DOR) (CSKA) (SPM) (SCP)

4 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE TECHNICAL REPORT 2017/18 5 SEASON OVERVIEW

Countries were represented in Road the group stage

Real Sociedad’s to Lyon win at Vardar was the biggest away victory in the UEFA Europa League era

Zenit midfielder Matías Kranevitter (left) was at the heart of his team’s 3-1 victory away to Real Sociedad; Atalanta marked their return to European football after 16 years From qualifying to the final, 190 clubs took with a 5-1 win at Everton (below) part in the 2017/18 UEFA Europa League, with two familiar names going the distance Group stage Eventual semi-finalists Arsenal were his players and their local community in competing for the first time in the UEFA Sweden’s sub-arctic central region – bonds Europa League yet the sight of 20,000 Köln that served them well on a run that began fans descending on north for their with the scalp of Galataşaray in the second first Group H fixture spelled out clearly what qualifying round. Marseille’s campaign the competition means to so many clubs. kicked off one round later with a 4-2 home Arsenal might have sewed up qualification success against Belgium’s Oostende. By with their matchday four home draw against Christmas they too were in the knockout Crvena zvezda, but the most impressive stage, securing their progress thanks to performers were arguably Zenit, who won a goalless home draw with Salzburg on five of their six matches in Group L, and the matchday six – the only match at the Stade similarly unbeaten Atalanta and Salzburg. Vélodrome that they did not win on the long While the Austrian club won their group road to the final. for the fourth time, Atalanta were playing European football for the first time since 1991 and finished top of their section with the help of a 5-1 victory at Everton. Overall there were nine sides, Atalanta included, making their debuts in the group stage of a major UEFA competition: Hoffenheim, İstanbul Başakşehir, Köln, Lugano, Östersund, Vardar, Vitesse and Zlín were the other eight. Östersund, a Swedish fourth-division outfit seven years earlier, joined Atalanta in progressing by coming second behind Athletic Club in Group J. Via cultural activities, such as performing a ballet, Östersund coach Graham Potter had created a strong connection between

Thousands of Köln fans made the trip to London to see their team take on Arsenal

6 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE TECHNICAL REPORT 2017/18 7 SEASON OVERVIEW

Italy’s two other contenders, Lazio and AC respectively – got the better of two former Round of 32 Milan, both progressed, beating FCSB and European champions in Crvena zvezda Ludogorets respectively. There was success and Celtic. One of eight arrivals from the UEFA too for three of the four Russian clubs. Like neighbours Crvena zvezda, who had Champions League, Atlético suffered Aside from Spartak’s aforementioned waited 26 years to play European football an early stumble on their return to the demise, Lokomotiv Moskva beat Nice with into the new year, Partizan lost their way competition after a five-year absence, the help of a 3-2 comeback victory in with defeat by Plzeň. As a reflection of falling behind to ’s 15th-minute France courtesy of a Manuel Fernandes the historic names participating in the goal at København. Within six minutes, hat-trick – the midfielder’s second treble 2017/18 competition, there were 14 former though, Saúl Ňíguez had drawn them level – of the campaign after he hit three in the European winners involved in the and by the finish Atleti had a 4-1 advantage opening 17 minutes of the group game round of 32, including Dynamo Kyiv, who in a tie they eventually won 5-1. against Zlín. Meanwhile, CSKA and Zenit ousted undefeated AEK on away goals, For the other Spanish contenders there – UEFA Cup winners in 2005 and 2008 and Sporting, who ended Astana’s run. were mixed fortunes. Athletic overcame Spartak Moskva with the help of a 3-1 first- leg success in where an double showed the enduring predatory powers of a striker who had turned 37 four days earlier. Athletic’s Basque rivals Real Sociedad succumbed to Salzburg (3-4 aggregate), and ’s campaign closed early too, the Group A winners beaten home and away by . Another of the group winners, Braga, fell at the hands of another French side with sights set on the final – Marseille – as ’s men seized control of the tie at home where Valère Germain (2) and scored in a 3-0 first-leg victory. The third of the group winners to fall, Atalanta, could count themselves highly unfortunate. After succumbing to a 91st- minute goal in a 3-2 first-leg reverse in Dortmund, they were on course to advance on away goals until the club struck late once more through Marcel Schmelzer. Arsenal ended Östersund’s adventure, winning 3-0 in Sweden before Graham Potter’s outsiders gave 5,000 of their fans one last night to remember with a 2-1 (above) triumph in London. shows his delight at Salzburg Arguably no club issued a bigger taking the lead away to Real statement of intent than Leipzig. In their Sociedad; Mário Rui of Napoli (right, centre) tries to find a way The number of first season of UEFA competition, they had through his Leipzig opponents competing clubs arrived here after UEFA Champions League who had previously elimination, and responded with a 3-1 win lifted a major at the Stadio San Paolo against Napoli, European trophy scoring twice. Although Napoli fought back strongly to win 2-0 in Germany it was not enough for the eventual runners-up, who had also parachuted in Östersund keeper from the UEFA Champions League. Aly Keita greets the fans who travelled from Of the eight clubs Sweden to see their who arrived from the Graham Potter’s heroes win at Arsenal UEFA Champions League, only Celtic, outsiders gave 5,000 Napoli and Spartak of their fans one last Moskva fell at this first hurdle night to remember with a 2-1 triumph in London

8 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE TECHNICAL REPORT 2017/18 9 SEASON OVERVIEW

Salzburg’s success in reaching their first quarter-finals A trip to was a happy one for Atleti, who since finishing as UEFA Cup runners-up in 1994 owed returned home with a 5-1 everything to a 2-1 first-leg win in Dortmund, where win against Lokomotiv Valon Berisha struck twice. There was also a key win Lazio’s Lyon were the only on the road for Lazio, who followed up a home draw on the ball against club from the last 16 with Dynamo Kyiv with a 2-0 victory in Ukraine. Dynamo Kyiv in 2016/17 who were As in the previous round Bruma and Timo Werner involved at the same delivered vital goals for Leipzig, scoring in the 2-1 home stage in 2017/18 win over Zenit. Domenico Criscito’s free-kick pulled a goal back on the night, but the German side duly earned a 1-1 draw in St Petersburg. There was no more dramatic a finish than in the Czech Republic where Plžen cancelled out their two- goal first-leg deficit against Sporting through a Marek Bakoš double, then saw their goalkeeper, Aleš Hruška, Júnior Moraes’s equaliser in Dynamo stop a Bas Dost spot kick in added time. If they felt it Kyiv’s 2-2 draw was going to be their night, ’s extra- at Lazio was his time header decided otherwise. Plžen’s fifth straight seventh goal of the home win was in vain. campaign

Myziane Maolida can’t bear to look, as Lyon are knocked out by CSKA Moskva on away goals

Round of 16

Lyon’s dream of appearing in the final in in Moscow where hit his their home stadium evaporated with an final two European goals for the club in his away-goals reverse against CSKA Moskva. farewell season. They had looked set fair after prevailing A scorer in the 2017 final for 1-0 in Moscow through Marcelo’s headed United, Henrik Mkhitaryan claimed his first goal, but Aleksandr Golovin, Ahmed Musa goal as an Arsenal player to pave the way and earned the Russian for a 2-0 first-leg victory at Milan for the visitors a 3-2 victory in France – and Gunners, who went on to shrug off an early progression on the away-goals rule. Hakan Çalhanoğlu goal for the Rossoneri Marseille’s home form, by contrast, was in London where they won the return 3-1, increasingly assured: (2) Welbeck scoring twice. and secured a 3-1 home win against Athletic, and Aritz Aduriz’s away goal (his eighth overall) counted for nothing in the end as OM triumphed in northern Spain too, Ocampos and Payet both scoring again in a 2-1 success. Lyon’s dream of appearing There was an even more emphatic aggregate success for Marseille’s eventual in the final in their home final opponents Atlético, who overwhelmed stadium evaporated with Lokomotiv Moskva 8-1 over the two legs. After a spectacular Saúl Ňíguez strike had an away-goals reverse sparked a 3-0 home win, they triumphed 5-1 against CSKA Moskva

10 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE TECHNICAL REPORT 2017/18 11 SEASON OVERVIEW

Rudi Garcia’s men conjured a thrilling response, summed up by Quarter-finals an exceptional Atlético’s power at home provided the supporters, Rudi Garcia’s men conjured comeback looked unlikely but three goals individual goal platform for victory over Sporting, Antoine a thrilling response, summed up by an in a sensational five-minute spell between Griezmann adding to a Koke goal after just exceptional individual goal by skipper the 72nd and 76th minutes – from Amadou by skipper 22 seconds in their 2-0 first-leg victory. For Dimitri Payet – the home team’s fourth in Haidara, Hee-Chan Hwang and Stefan Dimitri Payet Sporting, Fredy Montero’s first-half riposte their eventual 5-2 triumph. Lainer – turned the tie on its head. in was not enough as they failed to There was drama too in Salzburg where After conceding four first-half goals breach Atleti’s defence a second time. Lazio seemed poised for the semi-finals away to Arsenal, CSKA Moskva threated Marseille also suffered a 1-0 away loss, when ’s 55th-minute opening another fightback when Fedor Chalov and in their first leg at Leipzig, and when Bruma effort increased the aggregate lead of scored in the second leg, doubled the German club’s aggregate lead ’s side, 4-2 winners a yet a strike and Aaron two minutes into the return, OM had work week earlier in Rome. Even when Munas Ramsey’s third goal of the tie slammed to do. Yet driven on by their impassioned Dabbur struck a minute later, a Salzburg the door shut.

Marco Rose enjoyed an impressive first season Lazio’s Ciro Immobile scored in at the Salzburg helm both legs against Salzburg to reach eight goals overall

The year an Austrian side had last reached the last four of a major UEFA club competition

Dimitri Payet (above) was one of the scorers in Marseille’s 5-2 win against Leipzig; Koke (right) scored Atleti’s quickest Europa League goal after 22 seconds on the way to a 2-0 win over Sporting

12 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE TECHNICAL REPORT 2017/18 13 SEASON OVERVIEW

Adil Rami (No23) leads the celebrations after Marseille book a place in Lyon by knocking out Salzburg

Atlético won through to their fifth European final in nine seasons Atlético made Arsenal suffer for a defensive lapse when snatched an equaliser on a first-leg The second leg in Madrid was Arsène Wenger’s 250th European night in London memorable match as a coach, in his 22nd and for the hosts’ profligacy final year as Arsenal manager

Semi-finals

Despite losing Šime Vrsaljko to a tenth- Atleti did not concede a home goal en minute red card and falling behind to an route to the final. goal, Atlético made In the other semi-final, Dimitri Payet was Arsenal suffer for a defensive lapse when once more the inspiration for Marseille as he Antoine Griezmann snatched an equaliser set up goals for Florian Thauvin and Clinton on a first-leg night in London memorable Njie in the 2-0 first-leg win over Salzburg. for the hosts’ profligacy – and ’s ’s men undid that deficit back brilliant save from . in Austria through Amadou Haidara’s solo Antoine Griezmann’s late Atlético punished another lapse back strike and a own goal, yet they equaliser at Arsenal in in Madrid as ’s solitary goal had no comeback when grabbed the first leg gave Atleti a platform to knock out the on the counter ended the dream of a first a goal from a corner in the 116th minute to English side European trophy for the visitors’ outgoing push Marseille over the line – and into their manager, Arsène Wenger – and meant first final since 2004.

14 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE TECHNICAL REPORT 2017/18 15 THE FINAL

Gabi celebrates after rounding off Atleti’s triumph with the final goal against Marseille, only his second in European competition during a long career

Atlético masterclass Tactical knowhow and a cutting edge allow Atleti’s quality to shine through

“Atleti Forever” read the giant banner at Champions League elimination; Marseille’s talisman in each line-up – Atlético’s Antoine of intent from a side eager to take the game fantastic feet of Payet. Gathering the ball one end. At the other, a massive blue campaign had begun the previous July Griezmann and Marseille’s Dimitri Payet. “They were to Atlético as they pursued a first European in the centre-circle, the Marseille skipper cross on a white backcloth bore the battle in the third qualifying round. The teams They exchanged words moments before prize since their UEFA Champions League exchanged passes with Florian Thauvin cry “Allez L’OM!”. This was the Stade de Lyon had displayed different approaches kick-off, Payet patting his international trying to make triumph 25 years earlier. “They were trying then slipped the ball through to Germain, on Wednesday 16 May, and a meeting of two also, Atlético with their organisation and colleague on the head, unaware that the to make a statement and say, ‘We want to breaking clear on Jan Oblak’s goal. Yet the famous old clubs, Atlético de Madrid and discipline and killer touch on the counter; evening would hold dramatically diverging a statement go forward, we want to put pressure on our shot flew high and wide. A pivotal moment. Marseille, who had reached this destination Marseille with the attacking flair that had lit fortunes for the pair. opponents’,” said Schaaf. “They started with Marseille, at this early stage, were after compelling, contrasting, journeys. up their road to a final played some three It was Marseille who opened the contest, and say, ‘We a lot of intensity.” profiting from the presence of Payet, a For Atlético, it was their fifth European hours north of home in Lyon. with forward Valère Germain delivering a The noisy OM fans greeted the early drifting No10 able to find pockets of space. final of the decade; for Marseille, the first One thing that the clubs had in common rugby-style kick into touch in Atleti territory want to go opposition touches with a screech of Soon Atleti survived another scare as Adil since 2004. The Spaniards had already was a hunger for the trophy that Éric Abidal, to a big cheer from the French fans filling whistles. The volume would have risen a Rami’s strike on the half-turn flew past the lifted this trophy twice before; Marseille the former Lyon, and France three-quarters of the stadium. In the words forward’” notch or two higher but for a wayward far post. During this bright opening from the had lost two finals. Atlético had entered defender, carried on to the field before kick- of Thomas Schaaf, one of UEFA’s technical finish by Germain in the fourth minute. He side, winger Lucas Ocampos offered the competition in February following UEFA off. Another was the presence of a French observers at the match, it was a statement Thomas Schaaf had a golden opportunity, fashioned by the further encouragement with his long-legged

16 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE TECHNICAL REPORT 2017/18 17 THE FINAL

surges down the left and he smuggled Goalkeeper , looking to Ačimovič went even further, saying: “They the ball infield for Payet and André Zambo play forward from the back, drove a pass Griezmann, stood where they knew their opponents Anguissa to release Bouna Sarr, the right- to Zambo Anguissa, whose loose touch would be weak. They knew Marseille would back attacking down the opposite side, brought instant punishment. Gabi released with exceptional be under enormous psychological pressure who dragged a cross-shot wide. Griezmann and he waited for Mandanda and would make mistakes.” Patrolling the technical area were two to commit and then, with the goalkeeper calmness, had Atlético had done the same to Arsenal in different-looking figures. Where Marseille falling to his left, rolled the ball to the right. each leg of their semi-final: punishing errors coach Rudi Garcia was smartly suited, The 27-year-old, born and bred an hour succeeded with a clinical touch. Their own defence Atleti’s assistant coach, Germán Burgos, away in Mâcon, had now scored in every is less prone to lapses than most, starting deputising for the suspended Diego round of the knockout phase. The flag- where Germain with Oblak, their Slovenian goalkeeper, who Simeone, stood with his shirt hanging filled Marseille end fell suddenly silent. displayed his confidence with an assured outside his jeans. His team’s own ruffled Griezmann, with exceptional calmness, had failed in the take from a Thauvin cross. They carry a look would not last for much longer. had succeeded where Germain had failed dead-ball threat too, as seen when Koke Griezmann, scorer of their opening goal, in the opening minutes. opening minutes found Ángel Correa on the angle of the had burst into action in the 16th minute Reflecting on the preamble to the goal, six-yard box but the Argentinian could not when working back inside his own half to Mixu Paatelainen said it was the fruit of manage a clean strike. win the ball with a slide tackle. Moments “the instant press which the Atlético players For Marseille, bad became worse in the later he supplied Koke higher up the pitch do so well because they work so hard”. For 32nd minute with the departure of Payet, but midfielder Zambo Anguissa averted Zambo Anguissa, 22, it provided a severe their inspirational , owing to the the threat. A sharp challenge by the same dent in his confidence – and that of his thigh injury that had left a question mark player then sparked another Marseille team. “All the moves Marseille made after against his involvement beforehand. After surge but Payet did not connect cleanly that were slightly hesitant, whereas Atlético Thauvin had helped him to his feet, Payet with the shot and, unfortunately for Zambo kept playing their game,” noted Paatelainen. Antoine Griezmann held his shirt to his eyes, which now leaked Anguissa, his team would now suffer for the “That is a quality of that team,” he added of opens the scoring with a tear or two as team-mates offered hugs a coolly taken shot that young Cameroonian midfielder’s first slip of Atlético. “They can wait for such situations, sends Steve Mandanda and pats on the head. There was even a kiss the evening. then seize the opportunity.” Milenko the wrong way from Griezmann.

Following Germain’s miss, and Zambo Anguissa’s mistake, a third key moment had gone against OM. “They lost a player who’s very important to them,” said Jerzy Engel. “He was the leader for Marseille up front and when they lost him, the team immediately went down a lot.” Payet’s replacement, , is a player of promise but he took up deeper positions, meaning the loss of their No10 threat. “They also lost their key player who could make that pass on the counterattack,” said Ghenadie Scurtul. The 20-year-old Lopez soon experienced at first hand the defensive knowhow of the Spanish side. Released by Sarr down by the corner flag, he was unable to profit as Diego Godín stepped across to shepherd the ball out of play. Gabi was similarly effective when blocking as he sought to break forward, the 34-year-old getting his body in the way of the Marseille midfielder and winning a free-kick. Marseille striker Valère When Ocampos pulled away from one Germain pulls clear from Atleti man, meanwhile, he found himself Lucas Hernández (top); OM fans turn up the volume smothered by another four, all converging (above); a distraught Dimitri to snuff out danger. This was a team with Payet is comforted by a strong tactical understanding. In the first Antoine Griezmann as he leaves the pitch (right) period, in particular, they stuck to their positions, interchanging less frequently than in other matches as they focused on making life difficult for their opponents. As Stefan Majewski remarked: “There was never an empty space. They were always there.” It explains the frustrations of , the Marseille left-back who received a yellow card for a wild challenge on Šime Vrsaljko just before the break. Vrsaljko’s own

18 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE TECHNICAL REPORT 2017/18 19 THE FINAL

sinking feeling that explained why Garcia stood unmoved on the touchline. To their credit the OM fans sent a fresh wave of noise rolling around the ground soon after and Oblak finally had a save to make when Amavi drove in a shot from outside the box. In truth, Oblak was little troubled in securing Atlético’s sixth clean sheet in nine matches in the competition. Even with the game in their grip, the Spanish side did not ease their intensity. Koke and Saúl trapped Sarr deep in his own half. When Rami then lost the ball to Koke, Costa could have played in the all-alone Griezmann but opted instead to drill in a shot that deflected wide off a defender, prompting Griezmann, hungry for his hat- trick, to fling out an arm in frustration. The third and final goal came from a less likely source. , on for Correa, began the move that brought Gabi’s first European strike since 2011. Marseille 0 Partey won the ball 15 metres inside his Atlético de Madrid 3 own half, before Griezmann sent Costa on an angled run out to the left. He laid the ball off to Koke and the midfielder Wednesday 16 May 2018 steered a pass across the area to Gabi, Stade de Lyon who drilled low past Mandanda. As he received a hug from Godín, another old Goals warhorse, all that remained was for their 0-1 Griezmann 21, 0-2 Griezmann 49, 0-3 Gabi 89 fellow thirtysomething Fernando Torres to join them on the field for a valedictory Line-ups appearance in the red and white stripes, as Marseille Mandanda, Sarr, Rami, , a replacement for Griezmann. Where Payet Amavi, Zambo Anguissa, Sanson, Thauvin, Payet The Atleti players enjoy the moment had departed in tears, Atleti’s Frenchman (Lopez 32), Ocampos (Njie 55), Germain (Mitroglou 74) as Antoine Griezmann’s second goal walked off amid beaming smiles. It was his Atlético de Madrid Oblak, Vrsaljko (Juanfran 46), puts them 2-0 ahead and Atlético’s night. Giménez, Godín, Lucas, Gabi, Correa (Partey 88), Saúl, Koke, Griezmann (Torres 90), Diego Costa first-half caution meant he did not return great example for the youngsters to show into the near-post area and Godín flashed Gabi fires in from an Yellow cards for the second period, the veteran Juanfran how hard the top players work for the team a header narrowly off target. angle for the third Marseille Amavi 38, Luiz Gustavo 75, Njie 78 goal on 89 minutes replacing a player who had been red- and their team-mates,” added Paatelainen Not until the midway point of the half Atlético de Madrid Vrsaljko 23, Lucas 78 carded in the semi-final at Arsenal. of the player’s readiness to drop deep and did OM stir back into life. Lopez dinked a It had begun to rain as the action resumed help out with defensive tasks. ball into the box but the ever-reliable Referee Björn Kuipers Attendance 55,768 and for Atlético a second goal was in the “Griezmann works very, very hard Godín flew in to head clear. When a ball offing. Correa found space more than once defensively. He comes deep into the did fall to Sanson in the area, he slid as he when moving in from the flank and the midfield to help when they play the 4-4-2 shot and it flew over. If Germain thumped Argentinian might have got a goal after system or 4-4-1-1, which they prefer, so the turf then, Luiz Gustavo showed his Match statistics a superb turn in the box but his failure to as not to be overloaded in the midfield. frustration with a kick at Griezmann. From summon an instant shot allowed Sarr time to Griezmann does a very valuable job there the subsequent free-kick into the box, Saúl’s block his path. Instead it was Griezmann who and that shows discipline from their header struck Gustavo’s hand but the Marseille Atlético de Madrid doubled the advantage after 49 minutes. player. He’s very humble to work defensively contact was unintentional. From a Marseille throw-in, Atleti reclaimed for his team-mates and his manager, and For Marseille coach Garcia, the final roll 0 Goals 3 the ball in the middle of the pitch where that tells a story.” of the dice came with the substitution of Possession Saúl Ñíguez headed it on to Griezmann. Thanks to their compatriot Griezmann, Germain by . Earlier in the 56% 44% The Frenchman flicked the ball inside to Marseille now had a mountain to climb. With half, Clinton Njie had replaced Ocampos 12 Total attempts 12 Koke and when he returned it to Griezmann, the rain falling and the wind blowing, the but the Marseille formation remained the the striker took a couple of touches before OM coach Garcia had donned a same. With Mitroglou on the field, they 2 On target 4 dinking the ball coolly over Mandanda. . The forecast was bleak. After making switched to 4-4-2 and had the option of a 1 Corners 6 Mixu Paatelainen hailed the quality of the a notable interception, nicking the ball off more direct route. It nearly bore fruit when finish, saying: “You give him that half a yard the toe of the dangerously placed Diego Mitroglou leapt above Godín and nodded 328 Passes completed 224 and he’s away with the ball at his feet. What Costa, Rami turned and barked a command Sanson’s cross beyond Oblak. However, the a finish. Again, composure. Again, clinical.” It to his team-mates, thumping his chest to ball struck the far post and span across the 81% Passing accuracy 73% was not just Griezmann’s finishing that drew enforce the point. To little apparent avail face of the goal, and Atleti survived. With 99,788m Distance covered 99,175m praise from UEFA’s technical team. “He’s a as Griezmann whipped the ensuing corner nine minutes remaining, perhaps it was a

20 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE TECHNICAL REPORT 2017/18 21 THE WINNING COACH ‘Triumph The powerful bond between and his players, and the coach’s drive to succeed of a feeling’ have underpinned a golden era for Atlético

Diego Simeone enjoys football obsessive.” This is the between Argentina, Italy and Spain, winning point as one of his team’s counterattacks, the moment of victory description that Diego Simeone’s the domestic double with Atleti in 1996 and but who would argue with him? with Diego Costa “A former Argentina team-mate Matías 106 caps for Argentina, he was a tenacious, Mixu Paatelainen, one of UEFA’s technical Almeyda gives of the Club Atlético de Madrid combative, but highly intelligent midfielder. observers at the final, said: “The collective coach when remembering their days as And his fearlessness in the face of the spirit instilled by Simeone is why they are room-mates on international duty. football establishment has been a thread thought to be the best defensive team “You sit down and talk with him and it’s all running through his coaching career, right in Europe. They’re a fantastic unit. Also I football,” adds Almeyda of a man who would from his first job as a manager in Argentina think the system they play is very simple. be tucked up in bed at nine o’clock, and had when he guided Estudiantes de La Plata They don’t complicate things and that’s an only one topic of conversation. “I’d want to to their first league title for 23 years. He important factor. It’s a very effective system talk to him about the countryside, about life, has done the same with Atlético, leading – 4-4-1-1 and every player knows their role. and he’d come out with something about them to their first Copa del Rey and Liga It’s a difficult system to play against if every the Croatian No9, or about how the Finland successes – in 2013 and 2014 respectively – player is as committed as they are.” No10 took free-kicks.” since that 1995/96 double triumph in which That commitment, that togetherness, That recollection comes from Almeyda’s he had played a significant part. extends to the touchline where Simeone official biography ‘Alma y Vida’, published in They have done so with a distinctive style. has a No2, Germán Burgos, in whom he has 2012, the year, incidentally, that Atlético first Germany’s Kicker magazine spoke of their absolute faith. The pair played together with began reaping the benefits of this so-called “ruthless efficiency” after the dismantling Argentina and Atlético. Burgos’s knowledge obsessiveness. It was the year that Simeone, of Marseille; the Guardian newspaper in of Simeone meant there was no disruption just five months after taking charge at the England praised their “welcome solidity”. on the night of the final, which the head Rojiblancos, steered them to the UEFA Europa With their defensive discipline and coach watched from the stands in Lyon League title with victory over Athletic Club. organisation and willingness to put bodies owing to a touchline suspension. “We’ve It is testament to Simeone’s unwavering on the line, they have a formula that is well- known each other for a whole lifetime and drive and commitment to the Atleti cause known across Europe; finding a way to beat we both understand football in the same that six years on he was able to guide them them, though, is less easy to identify. way,” said Simeone. to another European success with their Lyon Gabi, the now departed veteran There is a tendency in modern football defeat of . midfielder, said before this year’s final to seek short-term fixes, yet this is another In the intervening six years there have been against Marseille: “We’ve been working for example of how Atlético’s success under two UEFA Champions League final defeats – seven years in a very similar way, with the Simeone is built on relationships, on bonds both painful losses against neighbours Real manager as the reference point, taking of trust. When the squad returned to the Madrid CF. There has been the departure of priority above ourselves. It’s created a way Spanish capital Madrid for their victory key players too – goalkeeper of feeling at the club which has brought parade, Simeone, along with some of his and forward , for instance, some really big results. We’re characterised players wore navy blue T-shirts carrying from that 2012 side – and yet Simeone has by our consistency and stability. We’re one the words “El triunfo de un sentimiento” – always managed to maintain momentum and of the teams who know how to suffer best.” The triumph of a feeling. a sense of progression. This idea of suffering is something Simeone has created this feeling, though The mere sight of him on the touchline, Simeone himself dwelled upon after the he does not pretend it is easy to sustain. In clad in black and issuing energy and semi-final first leg against Arsenal FC that the aftermath of this latest success, he said: instructions in equal measure as he shouts provided the platform for a narrow overall “When you win something like this, there’s here and gesticulates there, is a show of his victory – a 1-1 draw in a match that Atleti always a tinge of sadness. It’s hard to get to commitment to the club he played for in two played with one man less for all but the first this level, to convince the players to come spells, from 1994–97 and 2003–05. It is a ten minutes following the early dismissal on the journey together. And then when you bond he feels and a bond he has instilled in of Šime Vrsaljko. “You guys have no idea achieve it you have to start again. It’s hard.” his players too. how difficult it is to defend,” Simeone said Doing it again will take another big effort, Indeed it seems fair to say there are afterwards. “Football is about playing and especially at a club with a habit of doing few teams in Europe who embody the playing is the fun part, but you’ve got to have it the hard way. However, Simeone, as his personality of their manager better than balls to defend with ten men for 80 minutes.” opponents will vouch, does not back down Simeone’s Atlético. As a player who moved His choice of words was as direct and to the from a challenge easily.

22 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE TECHNICAL REPORT 2017/18 23 RESULTS Results

Astana became the first club from Number of minutes from kick-off that it took Combined number of spectators who Kazakhstan to reach the knockout Lokomotiv midfielder Manuel Fernandes witnessed Crvena zvezda’s first European stage of a UEFA club competition. to score a hat-trick at home to Zlín. group stage home matches in a decade. Viktoria Plzeň players celebrate a goal during their 3-1 win at home to Beer-Sheva

September 2017 December 2017

Group stage

Group A P W D L GD Pts Group B P W D L GD Pts Group C P W D L GD Pts Group G P W D L GD Pts Group H P W D L GD Pts Group I P W D L GD Pts Villarreal CF 6 3 2 1 4 11 FC Dynamo Kyiv 6 4 1 1 6 13 SC Braga 6 3 1 2 1 10 FC Viktoria Plzeň 6 4 0 2 5 12 Arsenal FC 6 4 1 1 10 13 FC Salzburg 6 3 3 0 6 12 FC Astana 6 3 1 2 3 10 FK Partizan 6 2 2 2 -1 8 PFC Ludogorets 1945 6 2 3 1 2 9 FCSB 6 3 1 2 2 10 FK Crvena zvezda 6 2 3 1 1 9 Olympique de Marseille 6 2 2 2 0 8 SK Slavia Praha 6 2 2 2 0 8 BSC Young Boys 6 1 3 2 -1 6 İstanbul Başakşehir 6 2 2 2 -1 8 FC Lugano 6 3 0 3 -2 9 1. FC Köln 6 2 0 4 -1 6 Konyaspor 6 1 3 2 -2 6 Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC 6 1 1 4 -7 4 KF Skënderbeu 6 1 2 3 -4 5 TSG 1899 Hoffenheim 6 1 2 3 -2 5 Hapoel Beer-Sheva FC 6 1 1 4 -5 4 FC BATE Borisov 6 1 2 3 -10 5 Vitória SC 6 1 2 3 -4 5

Date Home Score Away Date Home Score Away Date Home Score Away Date Home Score Away Date Home Score Away Date Home Score Away 14/09 Slavia Praha 1-0 M. Tel-Aviv 14/09 Young Boys 1-1 Partizan 14/09 İstanbul 0-0 Ludogorets 14/09 FCSB 3-0 Plzeň 14/09 Arsenal 3-1 Köln 14/09 Vitória SC 1-1 Salzburg 14/09 Villarreal 3-1 Astana 14/09 Dynamo Kyiv 3-1 Skënderbeu 14/09 Hoffenheim 1-2 Braga 14/09 H. Beer-Sheva 2-1 Lugano 14/09 Crvena zvezda 1-1 BATE 14/09 Marseille 1-0 Konyaspor 28/09 Astana 1-1 Slavia Praha 28/09 Skënderbeu 1-1 Young Boys 28/09 Braga 2-1 İstanbul 28/09 Lugano 1-2 FCSB 28/09 BATE 2-4 Arsenal 28/09 Konyaspor 2-1 Vitória SC 28/09 M. Tel-Aviv 0-0 Villarreal 28/09 Partizan 2-3 Dynamo Kyiv 28/09 Ludogorets 2-1 Hoffenheim 28/09 Plzeň 3-1 H. Beer-Sheva 28/09 Köln 0-1 Crvena zvezda 28/09 Salzburg 1-0 Marseille 19/10 Astana 4-0 M. Tel-Aviv 19/10 Dynamo Kyiv 2-2 Young Boys 19/10 Hoffenheim 3-1 İstanbul 19/10 H. Beer-Sheva 1-2 FCSB 19/10 Crvena zvezda 0-1 Arsenal 19/10 Marseille 2-1 Vitória SC 19/10 Villarreal 2-2 Slavia Praha 19/10 Skënderbeu 0-0 Partizan 19/10 Braga 0-2 Ludogorets 19/10 Lugano 3-2 Plzeň 19/10 BATE 1-0 Köln 19/10 Konyaspor 0-2 Salzburg 02/11 Slavia Praha 0-2 Villarreal 02/11 Young Boys 0-1 Dynamo Kyiv 02/11 İstanbul 1-1 Hoffenheim 02/11 FCSB 1-1 H. Beer-Sheva 02/11 Arsenal 0-0 Crvena zvezda 02/11 Vitória SC 1-0 Marseille 02/11 M. Tel-Aviv 0-1 Astana 02/11 Partizan 2-0 Skënderbeu 02/11 Ludogorets 1-1 Braga 02/11 Plzeň 4-1 Lugano 02/11 Köln 5-2 BATE 02/11 Salzburg 0-0 Konyaspor 23/11 Astana 2-3 Villarreal 23/11 Partizan 2-1 Young Boys 23/11 Ludogorets 1-2 İstanbul 23/11 Plzeň 2-0 FCSB 23/11 Köln 1-0 Arsenal 23/11 Salzburg 3-0 Vitória SC 23/11 M. Tel-Aviv 0-2 Slavia Praha 23/11 Skënderbeu 3-2 Dynamo Kyiv 23/11 Braga 3-1 Hoffenheim 23/11 Lugano 1-0 H. Beer-Sheva 23/11 BATE 0-0 Crvena zvezda 23/11 Konyaspor 1-1 Marseille 07/12 Slavia Praha 0-1 Astana 07/12 Young Boys 2-1 Skënderbeu 07/12 İstanbul 2-1 Braga 07/12 FCSB 1-2 Lugano 07/12 Arsenal 6-0 BATE 07/12 Vitória SC 1-1 Konyaspor 07/12 Villarreal 0-1 M. Tel-Aviv 07/12 Dynamo Kyiv 4-1 Partizan 07/12 Hoffenheim 1-1 Ludogorets 07/12 H. Beer-Sheva 0-2 Plzeň 07/12 Crvena zvezda 1-0 Köln 07/12 Marseille 0-0 Salzburg

Group D P W D L GD Pts Group E P W D L GD Pts Group F P W D L GD Pts Group J P W D L GD Pts Group K P W D L GD Pts Group L P W D L GD Pts AC Milan 6 3 2 1 7 11 Atalanta BC 6 4 2 0 10 14 FC Lokomotiv Moskva 6 3 2 1 5 11 Athletic Club 6 3 2 1 3 11 SS Lazio 6 4 1 1 5 13 FC Zenit 6 5 1 0 12 16 AEK Athens FC 6 1 5 0 1 8 Olympique Lyonnais 6 3 2 1 7 11 FC København 6 2 3 1 4 9 Östersunds FK 6 3 2 1 4 11 OGC Nice 6 3 0 3 5 9 Real Sociedad de Fútbol 6 4 0 2 10 12 HNK Rijeka 6 2 1 3 -1 7 Everton FC 6 1 1 4 -8 4 FC Sheriff 6 2 3 1 0 9 FC Zorya Luhansk 6 2 0 4 -6 6 SV Zulte Waregem 6 2 1 3 -5 7 Rosenborg BK 6 1 2 3 -5 5 FK Austria Wien 6 1 2 3 -7 5 Apollon Limassol FC 6 0 3 3 -9 3 FC Zlín 6 0 2 4 -9 2 Hertha BSC Berlin 6 1 2 3 -1 5 Vitesse 6 1 2 3 -5 5 FK Vardar 6 0 1 5 -17 1

Date Home Score Away Date Home Score Away Date Home Score Away Date Home Score Away Date Home Score Away Date Home Score Away 14/09 Rijeka 1-2 AEK 14/09 Apollon 1-1 Lyon 14/09 København 0-0 Lokomotiv 14/09 Hertha 0-0 Athletic 14/09 Vitesse 2-3 Lazio 14/09 Real Sociedad 4-0 Rosenborg 14/09 Austria Wien 1-5 Milan 14/09 Atalanta 3-0 Everton 14/09 Zlín 0-0 Sheriff 14/09 Zorya 0-2 Östersund 14/09 Zulte Waregem 1-5 Nice 14/09 Vardar 0-5 Zenit 28/09 Milan 3-2 Rijeka 28/09 Everton 2-2 Apollon 28/09 Sheriff 0-0 København 28/09 Östersund 1-0 Hertha 28/09 Nice 3-0 Vitesse 28/09 Zenit 3-1 Real Sociedad 28/09 AEK 2-2 Austria Wien 28/09 Lyon 1-1 Atalanta 28/09 Lokomotiv 3-0 Zlín 28/09 Athletic 0-1 Zorya 28/09 Lazio 2-0 Zulte Waregem 28/09 Rosenborg 3-1 Vardar 19/10 Austria Wien 1-3 Rijeka 19/10 Atalanta 3-1 Apollon 19/10 Zlín 1-1 København 19/10 Zorya 2-1 Hertha 19/10 Zulte Waregem 1-1 Vitesse 19/10 Vardar 0-6 Real Sociedad 19/10 Milan 0-0 AEK 19/10 Everton 1-2 Lyon 19/10 Sheriff 1-1 Lokomotiv 19/10 Östersund 2-2 Athletic 19/10 Nice 1-3 Lazio 19/10 Zenit 3-1 Rosenborg 02/11 Rijeka 1-4 Austria Wien 02/11 Apollon 1-1 Atalanta 02/11 København 3-0 Zlín 02/11 Hertha 2-0 Zorya 02/11 Vitesse 0-2 Zulte Waregem 02/11 Real Sociedad 3-0 Vardar 02/11 AEK 0-0 Milan 02/11 Lyon 3-0 Everton 02/11 Lokomotiv 1-2 Sheriff 02/11 Athletic 1-0 Östersund 02/11 Lazio 1-0 Nice 02/11 Rosenborg 1-1 Zenit 23/11 AEK 2-2 Rijeka 23/11 Lyon 4-0 Apollon 23/11 Lokomotiv 2-1 København 23/11 Athletic 3-2 Hertha 23/11 Lazio 1-1 Vitesse 23/11 Rosenborg 0-1 Real Sociedad 23/11 Milan 5-1 Austria Wien 23/11 Everton 1-5 Atalanta 23/11 Sheriff 1-0 Zlín 23/11 Östersund 2-0 Zorya 23/11 Nice 3-1 Zulte Waregem 23/11 Zenit 2-1 Vardar 07/12 Rijeka 2-0 Milan 07/12 Apollon 0-3 Everton 07/12 København 2-0 Sheriff 07/12 Hertha 1-1 Östersund 07/12 Vitesse 1-0 Nice 07/12 Real Sociedad 1-3 Zenit 07/12 Austria Wien 0-0 AEK 07/12 Atalanta 1-0 Lyon 07/12 Zlín 0-2 Lokomotiv 07/12 Zorya 0-2 Athletic 07/12 Zulte Waregem 3-2 Lazio 07/12 Vardar 1-1 Rosenborg

24 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE TECHNICAL REPORT 2017/18 25 RESULTS

AEK Athens did not lose any of their ten The number of UEFA Europa League With a 20-game European campaign, games, qualifiers included, but drew goals scored by Athletic’s Aritz Aduriz Salzburg equalled the record set by eight of them. over the past two seasons. Bordeaux (1995/96) and Basel (2012/13).

The stage is set for the final in Lyon

February 2018 MarchMarch 2017 2018 April 2018 May 2018

Round of 32 13, 15, 21 and 22 February Round of 16 8 and 15 March Quarter-finals 5 and 12 April Semi-finals 26 April and 3 May

Crvena zvezda 0-0 CSKA Moskva Dortmund 3-2 Atalanta Milan 0-2 Arsenal Lazio 4-2 Salzburg Arsenal 4-1 CSKA Moskva Arsenal 1-1 Atlético de Madrid CSKA Moskva 1-0 Crvena zvezda Atalanta 1-1 Dortmund Arsenal 3-1 Milan Salzburg 4-1 Lazio CSKA Moskva 2-2 Arsenal Atlético de Madrid 1-0 Arsenal

CSKA Moskva win 1-0 on aggregate Dortmund win 4-3 on aggregate Arsenal win 5-1 on aggregate Salzburg win 6-5 on aggregate Arsenal win 6-3 on aggregate Atlético de Madrid win 2-1 on aggregate

Astana 1-3 Sporting CP FCSB 1-0 Lazio Dortmund 1-2 Salzburg Atlético de Madrid 2-0 Sporting CP Leipzig 1-0 Marseille Marseille 2-0 Salzburg Sporting CP 3-3 Astana Lazio 5-1 FCSB Salzburg 0-0 Dortmund Sporting CP 1-0 Atlético de Madrid Marseille 5-2 Leipzig Salzburg 2-1 Marseille

Sporting CP win 6-4 on aggregate Lazio win 5-2 on aggregate Salzburg win 2-1 on aggregate Atlético de Madrid win 2-1 on aggregate Marseille win 5-3 on aggregate Marseille win 3-2 on aggregate after extra time

Marseille 3-0 Braga Partizan 1-1 Plzeň CSKA Moskva 0-1 Lyon Braga 1-0 Marseille Plzeň 2-0 Partizan Lyon 2-3 CSKA Moskva Marseille win 3-1 on aggregate Plzeň win 3-1 on aggregate Aggregate 3-3; CSKA Moskva win on away goals Final 16 May

Östersund 0-3 Arsenal Lyon 3-1 Villarreal Atlético de Madrid 3-0 Lokomotiv Moskva Arsenal 1-2 Östersund Villarreal 0-1 Lyon Lokomotiv Moskva 1-5 Atlético de Madrid

Arsenal win 4-2 on aggregate Lyon win 4-1 on aggregate Atlético de Madrid win 8-1 on aggregate

Ludogorets 0-3 Milan Napoli 1-3 Leipzig Sporting CP 2-0 Plzeň Milan 1-0 Ludogorets Leipzig 0-2 Napoli Plzeň 2-1 Sporting CP

Milan win 4-0 on aggregate Aggregate 3-3; Leipzig win on away goals Sporting CP win 3-2 on aggregate after extra time

Real Sociedad 2-2 Salzburg Celtic 1-0 Zenit Marseille 3-1 Athletic Salzburg 2-1 Real Sociedad Zenit 3-0 Celtic Athletic 1-2 Marseille

Salzburg win 4-3 on aggregate Zenit win 3-1 on aggregate Marseille win 5-2 on aggregate

Spartak Moskva 1-3 Athletic AEK 1-1 Dynamo Kyiv Leipzig 2-1 Zenit Marseille Atlético de Madrid Athletic 1-2 Spartak Moskva Dynamo Kyiv 0-0 AEK Zenit 1-1 Leipzig Athletic win 4-3 on aggregate Aggregate 1-1; Dynamo Kyiv win on away goals Leipzig win 3-2 on aggregate 0-3

Nice 2-3 Lokomotiv Moskva København 1-4 Atlético de Madrid Lazio 2-2 Dynamo Kyiv Lokomotiv Moskva 1-0 Nice Atlético de Madrid 1-0 København Dynamo Kyiv 0-2 Lazio

Lokomotiv Moskva win 4-2 on aggregate Atlético de Madrid win 5-1 on aggregate Lazio win 4-2 on aggregate

26 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE TECHNICAL REPORT 2017/18 27 ANALYSIS

Diego Godín Atleti and the ‘lost art’ (left) keeps a step ahead of ‘Simplicity and aggression’ crucial for Simeone’s side Florian Thauvin in the final The flood of goals in the latter stages of he puts a lot of emphasis on defending, the 2017/18 European club competitions on being organised, on being together, prompted some observers to argue that on being the way he was as a player – the current focus on attacking football had showing fighting spirit and being aggressive. damaged the art of defending, with the The whole team are so disciplined it’s demand to deliver entertaining, attractive unbelievable. Every player has that football forcing shifts in strategy – such as mentality, which is instilled by Simeone – the vogue for attacking full-backs – which we will not concede. leave defences exposed. “Of course they have quality players The sight of SS Lazio, an Italian team, defensively as well – [Diego] Godín has been taking a 5-2 overall lead early in the second there a long time, the goalkeeper is fantastic half of their quarter-final second leg against – but it’s the collective spirit that means Salzburg yet still ending up eliminated was they’re the best defensive team in Europe.” one notable example. Yet that high-scoring According to Jerzy Engel, one of the round – which featured aggregate results keys to the Madrid side’s success is the of 5-3, 6-3 and 6-5 – had one exception in way they press the ball. “It’s very difficult to Atlético’s 2-1 aggregate scoreline against play against them because of the pressing Sporting CP. This was no surprise to the they do,” he said. “When they lose the ball, UEFA technical observers who saw Diego they immediately go for a very high and Simeone’s men in action. strong press.” “To be on the safe side and not take What happens next, Paatelainen added, is risks is what they do,” said Ghenadie that “if they don’t win the ball, the discipline Scurtul. The statistics underline this view. they show and how they come back to their In 81 games in UEFA competition, running shape making two banks of four is fantastic. from Simeone’s appointment in December They don’t press in midfield. They let the 2011 to the final in Lyon, Atlético kept 43 opponents have it in their midfield area. clean sheets and conceded only 53 goals They make sure there’s no gap between – a ratio of 0.65 per game. the defence and the midfield. They’re Elaborating on their approach, Mixu so compact, they’re so organised, and Paatelainen said: “The bottom line for me is everybody knows their job. I think Atlético’s Simeone’s philosophy is not to concede a secret – and Simeone has to be saluted for goal, not to lose, be hard to beat. Therefore this – is simplicity and aggression.”

two – and Luiz Gustavo – had Eight of the Atlético players experienced a European showpiece before. who appeared in the final, either Mixu Paatelainen said: “I had the impression we were dealing with a team, from the first whistle or from the in the case of Marseille, that played like a bench, had played in the 2016 young team, an inexperienced team, against a grown-up team which knew exactly what UEFA Champions League final to do in which situation.” This informed the way Atlético grew into the game, according to Ghenadie Scurtul. “In the first half, we saw that they didn’t try Benefits of big-game too many counterattacks so as not to lose experience their compactness. Slowly, when Marseille’s fitness went down and they also lost their Talking points Streetwise Atlético made their knowhow count key player [Dimitri Payet], Atlético took the initiative into their own hands.” In addition, Going into the final, Atlético’s starting XI had Scurtul cited the “one-touch play” of the Discipline, desire and the importance of planning for the 547 appearances in European competition Spanish club, whose experienced players did long term were three keys to success that the technical compared to Marseille’s 408. Not a huge a job for their team without trying too hard or difference but when it came to big-game overcomplicating things on the big occasion. team focused on during their post-final discussions in Lyon experience, the gap grew considerably. “They have very good players, but they don’t Eight of the Atlético players who appeared do too much dribbling when they don’t need in the final, either from the first whistle or to,” he argued. “We saw that Marseille’s from the bench, had played in the 2016 UEFA players sometimes wanted to do too much Champions League final. For Marseille, only individually, especially from the flanks.”

28 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE TECHNICAL REPORT 2017/18 29 ANALYSIS

Marseille supporters gave their heroes fervent backing Wenger and the long-term vision at the Stade Vélodrome throughout the campaign Semi-finalists show the value of an overall club philosophy

For Arsenal, the 1-0 defeat at Atlético in the player will fit exactly with your philosophy. club since 1996. “They want to build a young semi-final on 3 May was no normal defeat; it At Atlético we can see very, very good team with the aim of finally bringing them up marked the end of an era as the London club’s players, but not the players that clubs are to international level,” said Schaaf. “They’ve last European fixture under the outgoing all chasing in the transfer market. But all already come a long way, and have been Arsène Wenger. The bulk of Wenger’s 250 together as a team they’re working very, greatly successful concerning where they UEFA club competition ties as a coach came very well. In many clubs the selection is came from because the entire construct – the during his 22 years with Arsenal. UEFA’s not made by the coach or by the manager. club, the coach and the players – goes in the technical team at the final in Lyon rightly Selection is made by the owners of club same direction.” applauded the Frenchman’s contribution to and the agents of the players. This is the the European game with the Gunners, with worst thing that can happen to the coach, Thomas Schaaf remarking: “It will be difficult because sometimes he can be getting good to see a repeat of this in the future.” players, but the players don’t match him and Patience is a rare commodity in football his philosophy of the game.” UEFA’s technical today yet more than one club in the 2017/18 Thomas Schaaf identified a successful UEFA Europa League showed the benefits of model at another of this season’s semi- team at the final looking beyond the short term. Schaaf cited final clubs, Salzburg. It is a model that has Atlético, where Diego Simeone has held the yielded over €100m in player sales (including rightly applauded reins since 2012. “Look at Simeone and the , who left for Southampton FC in way he picks players for his team, players 2014 before moving on to FC) but the Frenchman’s that fit in with his team and his philosophy, has brought success on the field owing to players that can put into practice what he continuity in terms of strategy on and off the contribution to wants to do,” he said. pitch. Salzburg promote young players and According to Jerzy Engel, “selection is in Marco Rose had a new coach in 2017/18 the European the key word now for the coaches”. He who had stepped up to the senior post after elaborated: “To change the players is easy, steering the club’s juniors to victory in the game with but to bring the players you want isn’t so 2016/17 UEFA Youth League. They went on to easy because you know exactly which have the best run in Europe of any Austrian the Gunners

Home helps Fervent support can have a big influence

One intriguing aspect of Marseille’s Schaaf’s suggestion that In Marseille’s case, their results show European adventure was the fact they won is not as important in European competition that they struggled to achieve a consistent eight of nine home matches en route to as it once was. (An argument bolstered by level of performance over 90 minutes on the final – but managed just one victory the number of away wins in the equivalent the road, where they lost five times. Schaaf on the road. The Stade Vélodrome is one stage of the UEFA Cup in the 1987/88, suggested home advantage for a team of European football’s great theatres 1997/98 and 2007/08 seasons: nine, 11 like Marseille can add “20%” to a player’s and Marseille’s players felt the benefits and 16 respectively.) performance. “I don’t think that every of the backing received there. For all the That said, Schaaf acknowledged that player gets to play in front of such a crowd. systems and science in the modern game, with younger players in particular, it could It’s absolutely incredible the atmosphere footballers are human beings, and can be be significant. “For teams such as Marseille there.” Of course, it can affect the away swayed by a stadium’s swirls of noise and or Salzburg who are developing and haven’t side too as Ghenadie Scurtul observed emotion. “Of course, it lifts players,” says reached their full potential yet, they go of Salzburg’s struggles at the Vélodrome Mixu Paatelainen. through phases where they actually need when losing 2-0 in the first leg of their Of the 60 matches played in the knockout the support of their fans. And if they find it in semi-final. “I think it had an influence on stage, between the round of 32 and semi- their home stadium, they can lean on that, Salzburg, because they’re a young team. Arsène Wenger’s finals, there were 31 home wins and 17 away and rely on that extra enthusiasm and that Maybe they are not very familiar with 22 years as Arsenal wins – a statistic which supports Thomas really helps them to push further.” this environment.” manager have showed the benefits long-term planning can bring

30 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE TECHNICAL REPORT 2017/18 31 ANALYSIS

Goals from set plays When the goals were scored (full season) Of the 175 goals struck in the knockout rounds, there were 35 scored from set plays – or 20%. First half 245 This included 12 penalty kicks. 1-15 minutes 70 16-30 minutes 89

31-45 minutes 72 Zenit’s Domenico Criscito strikes at Leipzig – just one 45+ minutes 14 of four goals delivered direct from a free-kick Second half 309 46-60 minutes 100 61-75 minutes 101 75-90 minutes 82 90+ minutes 26

Extra time 2 91-105 minutes 1 106-120 minutes 1

Total 556

Route to goal Goals per knockout round Goals were down slightly year on year, but the total of 556 was still the third-highest Round Goals Danny Welbeck recorded in the UEFA Europa League converted Mohamed Round of 32 86 Elneny’s through pass to score at CSKA Round of 16 47 Quarter-finals 31 Semi-finals 8 Just as in 2016/17, there were four goals scored from There was a total of 556 goals scored in the Goals from open play Final 3 direct free-kicks in the knockout rounds. They came from 2017/18 UEFA Europa League from the first Lokomotiv Moskva’s Manuel Fernandes at Nice; Real Crosses were the source of more than a quarter night of the group stage to the final in Lyon. Total 175 Sociedad’s against Salzburg; Zenit’s of the 139 knockout-round goals scored in open This was nine fewer than the number for Domenico Criscito at Leipzig; and CSKA’s Aleksandr Marseille’s lightning play – 37 of them, or 26.6%. There were another 2016/17, but still the third-highest total in Golovin at Arsenal. starts at the Stade 18 goals scored from cutbacks, highlighting the the UEFA Europa League era – a rate of Vélodrome meant significance of productive wing play. 2.71 per match. six of their 13 home The second half of matches again goals in the knockout Goals per UEFA Europa produced more goals than the first – 309 round came in the League season to 245. The most productive 15-minute 1-15 minute period. period for goalscoring in each half was the There were 33 goals scored Number of goals scored from middle section, although if we add to the Season Goals Matches Average from penetrating through outside the penalty area from 76-90 minute period the goals struck in 556 205 2.71 2017/18 passes, be it a ball down the the last 32 onwards. There were added time at the finish, then this raises the 2016/17 565 205 2.76 middle, down the side, or also 14 goals following corners, total scored from 76 minutes onwards to 108 struck diagonally to open up a including two in the same match – or 19.4% of all goals, so underlining the 2015/16 536 205 2.61 defence. Arsenal’s Mohamed from Lazio to earn a 2-2 draw at impact of fatigue on defences in the closing Just as in the previous 2014/15 548 205 2.67 Elneny delivered two down-the- Dynamo Kyiv in the round of 16. stages of a contest. The scoring analysis in season, there were middle passes to dissect CSKA’s this review is based on the 175 goals struck 40 goals (7.19% of the 2013/14 475 205 2.32 defence and set up goals for during the knockout-stage matches. overall total) in added 2012/13 521 205 2.54 Danny Welbeck and Aaron time at the end of the Ramsey in the quarter-final two halves. Lazio’s Ciro Immobile 2011/12 585 205 2.85 shoots against Salzburg in Moscow. 2010/11 551 205 2.69 2009/10 547 205 2.67

32 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE TECHNICAL REPORT 2017/18 33 ANALYSIS

Top ten goals

Dimitri Payet Goals of Marseille 5-2 Leipzig Quarter-final, second leg An outstanding dribble and shot with the outside of the foot at an important moment in the tie. the season Crvena zvezda 0-1 Arsenal Dimitri Payet’s stunning solo effort for Group H A good team move capped with extraordinary Marseille against Leipzig was the pick quick thinking to enable an acrobatic finish. of the season’s top goals Aaron Ramsey Arsenal 4-1 CSKA Quarter-final, first leg A brilliantly unique lob from a cross displaying excellent technique and athleticism.

Branislav Ivanović Real Sociedad 1-3 Zenit The UEFA Technical Observers Group back to goal, he cushioned the ball on his Group L selected a top ten from the 556 goals chest then struck with an overhead kick. In Good control and an outstanding overhead kick. scored in the 2017/18 campaign – not an the case of Mikalay Signevich’s scissor kick easy task given the quality of strikes to for BATE, he showed a mastery of timing choose from. and technique as he connected with Mikalay Signevich The first choice was a goal thrilling in Aleksei Rios’s cross to score at Köln. Köln 5-2 BATE its execution and vital for its impact – There was no cuter goal than Juan Felipe’s Group H Dimitri Payet’s magnificent solo effort that effort for Vardar against Rosenborg in the A top-quality scissor kick while moving away from goal. moved Marseille into an aggregate lead group stage. After Vardar won the ball inside in the second leg of their quarter-final the Rosenborg half, Dejan Blazevski laid it off to against Leipzig. Here was a highly talented the Brazilian on the edge of box and, with more Juan Felipe footballer producing a piece of brilliance of a caress than a kick, he dinked the ball up Rosenborg 3-1 Vardar when it mattered. The lead-up was eye- over the goalkeeper and down into the net. The Group L catching enough – Payet played a one-two roles were reversed with the other Vardar goal A deft chip that gave the keeper no chance. with Florian Thauvin before bursting into the featured in the top ten – a brilliantly worked box, effecting a stepover as he carried the set-piece routine at Zenit with Juan Felipe’s Dimitri Payet’s strike against ball past and then delivering corner floated out to Blazevski waiting on the Leipzig helped turn the tie for Marseille Sporting CP 3-3 Astana the coup de grâce: an outstanding outside- edge of the box and the striker applying a Round of 32, second leg of-the-foot strike to spear the ball high into superbly controlled volley. A short free-kick and a superbly struck the top corner. Sporting’s Bruno Fernandes was one of long-range shot. Semi-finalists Arsenal contributed the brightest young talents on view in the Two defenders are Aaron Ramsey the other goals in the top three – both 2017/18 competition and he highlighted powerless to stop scores with an Olivier Giroud’s astonishing Emre Belözoğlu spectacular acts of improvisation. Olivier his shooting ability against Astana when moment of magic back-heel lob Braga 2-1 İstanbul Başakşehir Giroud was falling to the ground with his he collected a short lay-off from a free-kick against CSKA Group C back to goal as he hooked ’s nearly 40 metres from goal, took two steps An extremely accurate set-piece finish. header into the Crvena zvezda goal. Aaron forward and unleashed a ferocious shot Ramsey’s effort against CSKA featured a that dipped and swerved and then dropped similar preamble of one-touch passes and into the far corner of the net. Dejan Blazevski movement outside the box; Ramsey’s runs Turkish veteran Emre Belözoğlu’s Zenit 2-1 Vardar into the box were a significant feature of contribution was a more straightforward Group L Arsenal’s attacking play and he timed this set piece, a left-foot free-kick that kissed A very well-executed first-time volley from a corner. one perfectly to meet a Mesut Özil cross the underside of the crossbar on its way and apply a brilliant back-heel volley. into the goal. Goals from bicycle kicks ranked fourth Last but not least, the top ten included Amadou Haidara and fifth on the technical observers’ list. Amadou Haidara’s exciting, wriggling run Salzburg 2-1 Marseille once won a UEFA Europa that left four Marseille men in his wake Semi-final, second leg League final for Chelsea with a header; it before he stabbed the ball past Steve Superb slaloming dribble and composed finish. was not his aerial prowess but a lesser- Mandanda for Salzburg in the semi-final known capacity for acrobatics that he second leg. showed against Real Sociedad. With his Visit UEFA.com to see all the goals

34 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE TECHNICAL REPORT 2017/18 35 ANALYSIS

One of the tasks of the UEFA Technical and key assists along the road to Lyon. The Observers Group, meeting in Lyon on the squad of the season included a significant Squad of morning after Atlético’s final triumph, was to number of exciting young talents too, select their UEFA Europa League squad of such as Naby Keïta and Timo Werner from the season. Their 18-man selection contained quarter-finalists Leipzig, and the dynamic players from seven different clubs, with midfielder Diadie Samassékou from semi- winners Atlético represented by half a dozen finalists Salzburg. Two of the three Sporting the season key figures drawn from the spine of Diego players chosen were also aged 23 or under Simeone’s experienced, accomplished side – midfielder Bruno Fernandes and winger – from goalkeeper Jan Oblak via defensive . Not surprisingly, the spine of Atlético leader Diego Godín through to forward Antoine There was room too for the more Griezmann, man of the match in the final. experienced figures who had made their Madrid’s UEFA Europa League Runners-up Marseille were represented mark, notably the Italian duo of centre- by three players, including Dimitri Payet, the back and tournament winners features prominently in creative talisman whose final dismay – an joint-top scorer Ciro Immobile, who shone in injury-enforced early withdrawal – did not helping Milan reach the last 16 and Lazio the the technical observers’ selection diminish the memory of some brilliant goals quarter-finals respectively.

Goalkeepers Defenders Forwards

Jan Rui Leonardo Diego Stefan Luiz Bouna Bruno Naby Koke Saúl Gabi Diadie Gelson Antoine Ciro Dimitri Timo Oblak Patrício Bonucci Godín Lainer Gustavo Sarr Fernandes Keïta Ñíguez Samassékou Martins Griezmann Immobile Payet Werner

The competition’s An experienced, In his first The winners’ The right-back The converted The former Exciting midfielder Keïta hit nine Koke helped set A source of Gabi brought vast With an A quick, technical Griezmann made The competition’s The No10’s quality Four goals in outstanding long-serving season at Milan, defensive leader provided five defensive winger displayed whose goal goals in all Atlético’s tempo technical quality, experience to bear awareness of winger able to cut the difference in joint-top scorer was evident five games for keeper, he goalkeeper who the Rossoneri was impressive in assists and was midfielder’s admirable energy against Astana competitions with the ball, a goal threat in his final season his defensive inside and find the final and brings and a key player in throughout, the German performed when brought excellent skipper and his reading of the a key player in performances and positivity in was one of and in the UEFA and was a chief and additional with the club. responsibilities, space between incredible intensity Lazio’s run to the creating chances, international his side needed leadership talisman game, tackling his team’s run to at the heart his right full-back the best of the Europa League organiser without physicality as Often deployed the 22-year-old the lines, he and composed quarter-finals with scoring brilliant who is always a him most, notably qualities to his showed again and aerial ability. the semi-finals. of Marseille’s berth, looking season. He his box-to-box it. He also part of Atlético’s to the left side in caught the eye as impressed not just finishing whenever his speed on the goals against danger with the in the semi-final Sporting team. his defensive defence were dangerous even scored three and work and contributed midfield trio with a midfield four, the outstanding UEFA’s observers he plays. counterattack. Leipzig and finishing ability at Arsenal. excellence and important on their in a losing cause contributed four penetrating two assists in Koke and Gabi. he was pivotal midfielder in a but quarter-final Athletic and and pace that his comfort in road to Lyon. in the final. assists in all. forward passes the final. once more with his team of promising opponents Atleti, providing top-class led the German possession of caught the eye. work‑rate, quality young players. who promptly set-piece delivery. media to dub him the ball. and knowhow. signed him. ‘Turbo Timo’.

36 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE TECHNICAL REPORT 2017/18 37 STATISTICS

Possession

Only three of the ten teams ranked in the top ten for average possession Arsenal posted the highest Of the 47 knockout round Zenit defeated per match reached the last 16. possession figure of any games that ended in wins, Celtic 3-0 in their Eventual winners Atlético underlined team in the knockout 22 of them, or 44.89%, round of 32 home Number that possession is no guarantee of stage at home v Atlético. were won by the team leg despite the success as they had less of the ball with less possession. Scottish champions than their opponents in every game limiting them to just from the quarter-finals onwards. 37% possession. crunching Average possession (overall) The key facts and figures from the 2017/18 campaign, from passing and possession to goals and comebacks

Real Sociedad Celtic Villarreal Arsenal* Dortmund* Passing 64.38% 62% 57.63% 57.14% 57% How the last 16 compared The statistics show that in their final campaign under Arsène Wenger, semi-finalists Arsenal combined a Team Attempted Completion passing style with progress in the competition as well passes per rate as anybody. Villarreal highlighted the consistency of match their approach as the only team from last season’s Arsenal 620.71 87% overall top ten to feature once again. Sporting 549.67 86% Dortmund 540.5 83% Hertha Spartak Sporting* København Nice Top ten teams (overall) Milan 539.9 88% 56.5% 56.5% 56.33% 55.5% 55.5% Lazio 498.67 84% Team Attempted passes per match Completion rate CSKA 496.83 83% *Reached last 16 or beyond Nice 697.13 91% Atlético 487.44 85% Napoli 645 86% Lyon 481.3 85% Real Sociedad 636.13 90% Leipzig 476.5 83% Arsenal 620.71 87% Marseille 448.8 83% Goal attempts Villarreal 574.75 86% Lokomotiv 432.8 84% Arsenal ended the campaign as the 30-goal top scorers Celtic 568 91% Plzeň 424.7 81% though they were not the most efficient team – that Top scorers Sporting 549.67 86% Salzburg 408.07 80% was Zenit who scored at a rate of a goal every 4.86 attempts. It is no surprise that the next most efficient Dortmund 540.5 83% Zenit 83% Player Club Goals 390.3 side was Atlético (a 5.55 attempts-per-goal ratio) – Milan 539.9 88% Athletic 384.8 78% followed by Lazio (5.85), who had the competition’s Ciro Immobile Lazio 8 joint-top scorer in Ciro Immobile. København 517.5 87% Dynamo Kyiv 344.1 79% Aritz Aduriz Athletic 8

Júnior Morães Dynamo Kyiv 7

Antoine Griezmann Atlético 6

Aleksandr Kokorin Zenit 6

Mario Balotelli Nice 6 Athletic’s 37-year-old striker Aritz Aduriz was the UEFA Nice’s high completion rate was again Milan had the highest Four of the last 16 Europa League’s top scorer in 2015/16 and with a joint- Emiliano Rigoni Zenit 6 no guarantee of success. They lost in pass completion rate featured in the top ten best total of eight this season has reached a quarter- André Silva Milan 6 the last 32, having last season fallen at among the last 16 (88%). for most attempted century of goals overall in the competition in the past the group stage despite a 92% rate. passes per match three campaigns – 27 if qualifiers are included. Manuel Fernandes Lokomotiv 6

38 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE TECHNICAL REPORT 2017/18 39 STATISTICS

Stefan Lainer (centre) scored the 76th-minute goal that clinched a 4-1 quarter- final victory for Salzburg against Lazio. Team-mates Real Sociedad Zenit finished as the Arsenal had 10 of (left) and Amadou Haidara join averaged most group stage top scorers their 84 attempts on in the celebrations attempts on target with 17 goals as well as target in the home leg per game, prior to ending the competition v Atlético, but could their round of 32 as the most efficient side score only once. elimination. in front of goal.

Goal attempts (Round of 16 teams)

Team Matches Total attempts Ave attempts per match On target Goals Ave attempts per goal

Arsenal 14 203 14.5 84 30 6.77 Marseille 15 200 13.33 64 20 10 Salzburg 14 186 13.29 58 20 9.3 Lazio 12 152 12.67 59 26 5.85 Lyon 10 149 14.9 64 18 8.28 Milan 10 147 14.7 44 18 8.17 Plzeň 10 126 12.6 54 18 7 Dynamo Kyiv 10 123 12.3 42 18 6.83 Athletic 10 117 11.7 36 14 8.36 2017/18 knockout stage comeback victories Atlético 9 111 12.33 49 20 5.55 Lokomotiv Moskva 10 108 10.8 39 14 7.71 The team scoring first has won Zenit 10 107 10.7 43 22 4.86 the trophy in 16 of the 19 one-off Sporting 6 96 16 37 10 9.6 UEFA Cup/UEFA Europa League finals in which goals were scored CSKA 6 90 15 31 7 12.86 – an 84.21% success rate. Leipzig 6 66 11 21 9 7.33 Dortmund 4 48 12 19 5 9.6

There were seven knockout round fixtures in which teams The importance of scoring first came back to win having conceded first. Recent seasons have witnessed a trend by the side scoring first – and just seven by for more comebacks in UEFA’s club the team who lost the first goal. Scoring first Two Moscow competitions. In the UEFA Europa League, offered an 87.93% chance of avoiding defeat. teams, CSKA and the number of wins by a team conceding There were exceptions. In the round Lokomotiv, both Comeback victories per season since 2012/13* first has risen in each of the last five of 32 Lokomotiv Moskva came from two earned comebacks seasons: from 17 wins in 2012/13 to 57 in goals down to defeat Nice 3-2 with a on French soil. 2012/13 17 2017/18. That figure is for the competition Manuel Fernandes hat-trick. On a dramatic overall, yet the picture changes in the quarter-final second-leg night Marseille and 2013/14 20 knockout rounds where scoring first Salzburg each conceded the first goal in 2014/15 21 remains significant. their home leg – to fall behind by two and There were three 0-0s in Of the 58 matches in the knockout three goals respectively overall – but fought the 61 matches played in 2015/16 26 phase that produced goals, 42 were won back to triumph. the knockout rounds. 2016/17 55

2017/18 57

*Group stage to final

40 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE TECHNICAL REPORT 2017/18 41 ARSENAL FC ATHLETIC CLUB England Spain

Coach Arsène Wenger Team shape Coach José Ángel Ziganda Team shape Example: versusARSENAL Atlético (VS ATLETICO de Madrid (H)) away Example: versusATHLETIC Marseille (VS MARSEILLE away (A)) Born: 22/10/1949, Strasbourg (FRA) Born: 01/10/1966, Larraintzar (ESP)

Nationality: French Nationality: Spanish 20 Head coach: From 01/10/1996 to 13/05/2018 9 Head coach: From 24/05/2017 to 21/05/2018 23 11 14 22 11 ALL W D L 8 10 ALL W D L Matches in UEFA 29 Matches in UEFA 7 6 18 Europa League/UEFA Cup* 31 17 7 7 18 24 Europa League/UEFA Cup* 24 11 7 6 24 18 6 20 16 5 Matches in European Matches in European club competition:** 250 121 61 68 club competition:** 30 14 10 6 13 13 *Group stage to final **Including qualifying *Group stage to final **Including qualifying

Group H Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final Group J Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final

KLN BATE ZVE ZVE KLN BATE OST OST MIL MIL CSKA CSKA ATL ATL HRT ZOR OST OST HRT ZOR SPM SPM MAR MAR W 3-1 W 2-4 W 0-1 D 0-0 L 1-0 W 6-0 W 0-3 L 1-2 W 0-2 W 3-1 W 4-1 D 2-2 D 1-1 L 1-0 D 0-0 L 0-1 D 2-2 W 1-0 W 3-2 W 0-2 W 1-3 L 1-2 L 3-1 L 1-2

Dark green = home, light green = away; see page 5 for full club names Dark green = home, light green = away; see page 5 for full club names

Squad Team statistics Squad Team statistics Average age: 25.3 App Mins G A Players used Goals scored Attempts On target Cards Average age: 26.6 App Mins G A Players used Goals scored Attempts On target Cards

Goalkeepers 31 14 0 Goalkeepers 23 23 2 13 10 900 30 203 84 13 Iago Herrerín 10 900 14 117 36 33 Petr Čech 3 270 (2 own goals) (14.5 per match) (6 per match) (1 own goal) (11.7 per match) (3.6 per match) Sent off: Defenders Aritz Aduriz, 54 1 90 Time scored Time scored Unai Nuñez 6 2 Eneko Bóveda 2 134 5 5 5 4 Defenders 4 3 3 3 2 155 1 2 2 2 4 354 1 1 1 1 1 1 4 6 540 4 Per Mertesacker 3 270 1 0 0 0 0 0 6 6 383 1-15 16-30 31-45 45+ 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 5 Yeray Álvarez 4 314 1-15 16-30 31-45 45+ 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 16 8 595 1 (Minutes) 15 Iñigo Lekue 9 741 (Minutes) 18 7 613 1 16 8 686 1 Substitutions 33/42 (Including one double substitution) Substitutions 29/30 (Including one double substitution) 20 8 720 18 Óscar de Marcos 4 360 21 8 600 2 0 0 3 0 12 15 1 0 0 0 1 1 3 2 8 12 2 0 0 24 6 475 1 24 Héctor Bellerín 8 720 1 2 1-15 16-30 31-45 Half-time 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 1-15 16-30 31-45 Half-time 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 (Minutes) 30 Unai Nuñez 3 225 (Minutes) 31 Sead Kolašinac 5 225 2 Midfielders Midfielders Averages Key features Averages Key features 8 Aaron Ramsey 6 540 4 2 6 Mikel San José 8 526 10 13 1029 1 2 Possession •  1-4-2-3-1; also 1-4-4-1-1 when 7 Beñat Etxebarria 4 260 Possession • 1-4-2-3-1 57% Max. 72% v Atlético (h) defending and 1-4-1-4-1 49% Max. 66% v Zorya (h) • High pressing on losing 11 Mesut Özil 7 609 1 4 Min. 45% v Milan (a), CSKA Moskva (a) 8 7 529 Min. 37% v Spartak Moskva (a) • Patient build-up; fluent the ball 17 6 335 1 10 2 180 29 6 495 1 Passes attempted passing game with options Passes attempted • Decent off-the-ball 14 9 545 2 30 Ainsley Maitland-Niles 9 703 621 Max. 782 v Östersund (a) for man in possession 385 Max. 548 v Zorya (h) movement; good options for Min. 483 v CSKA Moskva (a) 17 Mikel Rico 6 363 Min. 263 v Spartak Moskva (a) 34 4 360 • Deep defensive block, allied man in possession 35 12 839 1 2 Passing accuracy with deep-lying playmaker 19 2 8 Passing accuracy • Wing play featuring effective 58 Marcus McGuane 2 12 87% Max. 93% v Östersund (a) (Xhaka, Elneny) 21 Mikel Vesga 4 190 78% Max. 83% v Zorya (h), Hertha (a) use of full-backs Min. 82% v Atlético (a) Min. 66% v Spartak Moskva (a) 61 8 315 • Technically accomplished Forwards • Excellent passing game, with players, comfortable in 65 1 1 11 Iñaki Williams 10 794 3 game-opening diagonal balls 69 5 273 Player statistics possession under pressure Player statistics 20 Aritz Aduriz 10 801 8 1 • Players with athleticism and 77 6 416 1 2 • Good wing play and crosses, Shots T OT G Shots T OT G strong individual technique with overlapping full-backs 22 Raúl García 9 639 1 2 Forwards • Experienced players with an 1 Olivier Giroud 25 9 3 prominent 23 Ager Aketxe 5 61 1 Aritz Aduriz 27 13 8 7 Alexis Sánchez 1 90 1 eye for goal (Aduriz, García) 2 Aaron Ramsey 22 11 4 • Fluid attack, interchanging 28 Iñigo Córdoba 9 462 1 2 Raúl García 25 8 1 9 Alexandre Lacazette 4 331 3 • Good link-up play in an 3 Danny Welbeck 21 15 3 positions; wide forwards 3 Iñaki Williams 14 7 3 12 Olivier Giroud 6 540 3 attack blessed with speed (Özil, Welbeck) cutting infield 14 Theo Walcott 5 424 3 4 T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals of Williams • Strength in 1v1 situations with 23 Danny Welbeck 10 760 3 Passes A C % Passes A C % speed and dribbling skills 62 5 50 1 Mohamed Elneny 763 710 93% 1 Aymeric Laporte 360 322 89% • Dangerous forward runs of 2 Jack Wilshere 573 500 87% 2 Xabier Etxeita 302 271 90% Unused substitutes: , Josh Dasilva, Ramsey, breaking into box Vlad Dragomir, Charlie Gilmour, Jordi Osei-Tutu, 3 Ainsley Maitland-Niles 527 463 88% 3 Ander Iturraspe 293 251 86% Jeff Reine-Adélaïde Unused substitutes: , App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed

42 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE TECHNICAL REPORT 2017/18 43 CLUB ATLÉTICO DE MADRID PFC CSKA MOSKVA Spain Russia

Coach Diego Simeone Team shape Coach Team shape Example: versusATLETICO Marseille (VS MARSEILLE (Final) (F)) Example: versusCSKA MOSKVA Lyon away (VS LYON (A)) Born: 28/04/1970, Buenos Aires (ARG) Born: 10/06/1977, Khoyniki (BLR) Nationality: Argentinian Nationality: Belarusian 18 Head coach: Since 23/12/2011 18 Head coach: Since 12/12/2016 7 7 European won: 3 10 6 11 ALL W D L ALL W D L 17 3 8 14 66 Matches in UEFA Matches in UEFA 19 16 25 7 10 8 42 89 Europa League/UEFA Cup* 24 19 1 4 16 Europa League/UEFA Cup* 2 24 6 4 14 Matches in European Matches in European 85 34 24 27 club competition:** 78 49 16 13 club competition:** 13 35 *Group stage to final **Including qualifying *Group stage to final **Including qualifying

Group C (UEFA Champions League) Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final Group A (UEFA Champions League) Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final

ASR CHE QAR QAR ASR CHE KOB KOB LOM LOM SCP SCP ARS ARS MAR BEN MU BSL BSL BEN MU ZVE ZVE LYO LYO ARS ARS D 0-0 L 1-2 D 0-0 D 1-1 W 2-0 D 1-1 W 1-4 W 1-0 W 3-0 W 1-5 W 2-0 L 1-0 D 1-1 W 1-0 W 3-0 W 1-2 L 1-4 L 0-2 W 1-2 W 2-0 L 2-1 D 0-0 W 1-0 L 0-1 W 2-3* L 4-1 D 2-2

Dark green = home, light green = away, orange = final; see page 5 for full club names Dark green = home, light green = away; see page 5 for full club names *CSKA win on away goals

Squad Team statistics Squad Team statistics Average age: 26.7 App Mins G A Players used Goals scored Attempts On target Cards Average age: 26.8 App Mins G A Players used Goals scored Attempts On target Cards Goalkeepers 23 15 1 Goalkeepers 20 14 0 1 Miguel Ángel Moyà 1 90 20 111 49 35 6 540 7 90 31 (12.4 per match) (5.4 per match) Sent off: (15 per match) (5.2 per match) 13 Jan Oblak 6 540 Šime Vrsaljko Defenders Time scored Time scored 25 2 180 5 2 Mario Fernandes 2 180 2 2 4 Defenders 3 3 4 5 450 2 2 1 1 1 2 Diego Godín 8 720 1 5 2 116 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 Filipe Luís 2 152 1 1-15 16-30 31-45 45+ 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 6 4 360 1-15 16-30 31-45 45+ 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 15 Stefan Savić 4 196 (Minutes) 14 Kirill Nababkin 4 334 1 2 (Minutes) 16 Šime Vrsaljko 4 145 24 5 405 Substitutions 27/27 (Including one double substitution) Substitutions 15/18 (No double substitutions) 19 Lucas Hernández 8 613 1 42 Georgi Schennikov 2 135 0 0 0 4 5 10 7 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 5 6 1 0 0 20 Juanfran 7 540 1 1-15 16-30 31-45 Half-time 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 Midfielders 1-15 16-30 31-45 Half-time 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 24 José María Giménez 7 630 (Minutes) 3 Pontus Wernbloom 5 450 1 (Minutes) 29 Sergi 1 90 8 Georgi Milanov 4 113 Midfielders Averages Key features 10 6 455 1 1 Averages Key features 5 Thomas Partey 8 477 Possession •  1-4-4-2; also 1-4-4-1-1 when 17 Aleksandr Golovin 5 450 2 1 Possession • 1-5-3-2, morphing to 1-3-4-3 49% Max. 64% v Lokomotiv Moskva (h) defending and 1-4-2-3-1, 53% Max. 59% v Crvena zvezda (a) when attacking; also 1-5-4-1 6 Koke 9 755 2 3 25 Kristijan Bistrovic 2 80 Min. 28% v Arsenal (a) 1-4-3-3 Min. 45% v Arsenal (a) in defence 8 Saúl Ñíguez 9 736 3 66 Bibras Natcho 6 452 Passes attempted •  Compact defending; good Passes attempted • Experienced goalkeeper 11 Ángel Correa 9 546 1 3 72 Astemir Gordyushenko 1 1 487 Max. 685 v Lokomotiv Moskva (h) organisation and discipline; 497 Max. 609 v Crvena zvezda (a) (Akinfeev) with good 14 Gabi 8 575 1 1 Min. 243 v Arsenal (a) aerial power (Godín) 80 Khetag Khosonov 1 7 Min. 403 v Arsenal (a) positioning and confidence leaving line 22 Nicolás Gaitán 1 30 Passing accuracy •  Leadership down spine starting 89 Konstantin Kuchaev 6 540 2 Passing accuracy 23 Vitolo 6 269 1 85% Max. 91% v København (h) with goalkeeper Oblak Forwards 83% Max. 86% v Crvena zvezda (a) • Strong organisation at Min. 72% v Arsenal (a) Min. 80% v Lyon (h) set plays; aerial power Forwards •  Apply instant pressure on losing 7 Ahmed Musa 6 513 1 ball to regain possession of Wernbloom 7 Antoine Griezmann 8 631 6 3 11 Vitinho 6 272 Player statistics •  Full-backs provide attacking Player statistics • Patient build-up; good 9 Fernando Torres 7 246 2 63 Fedor Chalov 3 88 1 width; use full width of pitch combination play under 10 1 31 1 Shots T OT G Shots T OT G pressure 1 Antoine Griezmann 29 16 6 •  Swift transition, speed on 18 Diego Costa 5 387 2 1 1 Alan Dzagoev 17 4 1 • Quick transitions to defence 2 Diego Costa 11 5 2 counter; defence-splitting 2= Ahmed Musa 15 6 1 and attack; long passes to 21 5 254 2 3= Torres (5), Koke (4), Ñíguez (3) and Correa passes open game (2) all had 10 shots •  Flexibility and movement in 2= Vitinho 15 3 0 (on target in brackets) midfield; Koke stepping infield T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals • Deep-lying Natcho starts T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals to make play moves; other midfielders Passes A C % push forward •  Mobile forward Griezmann able Passes A C % 1 Bibras Natcho 408 353 87% to drop deep or to wing •  Speed and strength in 1v1 1 Koke 581 507 87% 2 Vasili Berezutski 291 260 89% situations (Golovin) 2 Saúl Ñíguez 413 351 85% • Outstanding team spirit; Unused substitutes: Alex Dos Santos, Antonio Montoro, experience and composure; 3 Aleksandr Golovin 269 234 87% Juan Moreno, Robert Olabe, Miguel San Román 3 Gabi 386 339 88% Unused substitutes: Ilya Pomazun, Timur Zhamaletdinov App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed winning mentality App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed

44 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE TECHNICAL REPORT 2017/18 Statistics are UEFA Europa League only Statistics are UEFA Europa League only 45 FC DYNAMO KYIV Germany Ukraine

Coach Peter Stöger Team shape Coach Aleksandr Khatskevich Team shape Example: DORTMUNDat home to (VSSalzburg SALZBURG (H)) Example: versusDYNAMO Lazio KYIV away (VS LAZIO (A)) Born: 11/04/1966, Vienna (AUT) Born: 19/10/1973, Minsk (BLR) Nationality: Austrian Nationality: Belarusian 41 Head coach: From 10/12/2017 to 12/05/2018 42 Head coach: Since 02/06/2017 21 11 15 40 9 21 10 ALL W D L 10 ALL W D L 19 29 19 Matches in UEFA 33 Matches in UEFA Europa League/UEFA Cup* 9 3 2 4 Europa League/UEFA Cup* 10 4 4 2 23 94 29 27 44 26 36 25 27 44 26 Matches in European Matches in European club competition:** 9 3 2 4 club competition:** 17 7 7 3 38 71 *Group stage to final **Including qualifying *Group stage to final **Including qualifying

Group H (UEFA Champions League) Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final Group B Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final

TOT RM APO APO TOT RM ATA ATA SAL SAL SKE PAR YB YB SKE PAR AEK AEK LAZ LAZ L 3-1 L 1-3 D 1-1 D 1-1 L 1-2 L 3-2 W 3-2 D 1-1 L 1-2 D 0-0 W 3-1 W 2-3 D 2-2 W 0-1 L 3-2 W 4-1 D 1-1 D 0-0* D 2-2 L 0-2

Dark green = home, light green = away; see page 5 for full club names Dark green = home, light green = away; see page 5 for full club names *Dynamo win on away goals

Squad Team statistics Squad Team statistics Average age: 25.9 App Mins G A Players used Goals scored Attempts On target Cards Average age: 27.1 App Mins G A Players used Goals scored Attempts On target Cards Goalkeepers 19 12 0 Goalkeepers 26 25 1 38 Roman Bürki 4 360 5 48 19 1 Georgiy Bushchan 3 270 18 123 42 (12 per match) (4.8 per match) (12.3 per match) (4.2 per match) Sent off: Defenders 35 Maxym Koval 3 270 Denys Garmash Time scored Time scored 2 Dan-Axel Zagadou 1 90 2 71 4 360 5 Defenders 3 3 3 13 Raphaël Guerreiro 1 28 1 1 1 2 15 2 135 4 Aleksandar Pantić 1 10 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 25 Sokratis Papastathopoulos 4 360 1-15 16-30 31-45 45+ 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 9 Mykola Morozyuk 10 708 2 3 1-15 16-30 31-45 45+ 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 26 Łukasz Piszczek 3 270 1 (Minutes) 23 Josip Pivarić 8 720 (Minutes) 29 Marcel Schmelzer 3 225 1 24 4 350 Substitutions 11/12 (No double substitutions) Substitutions 24/30 (Including one double substitution) 36 Ömer Toprak 3 270 26 Mykyta Burda 2 180 0 0 0 3 1 4 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 2 6 7 4 0 0 Midfielders 1-15 16-30 31-45 Half-time 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 30 Artem Shabanov 1 45 1-15 16-30 31-45 Half-time 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 8 Nuri Şahin 1 90 (Minutes) 34 Yevhen Khacheridi 6 540 (Minutes) 11 4 228 44 Tamás Kádár 9 765 19 4 271 Averages Key features 94 Tomasz Kędziora 9 74 6 Averages Key features 22 Christian Pulišić 3 172 1 Possession • 1-4-2-3-1 Midfielders Possession • 1-4-2-3-1; switch to 1-4-4-1-1 Max. 57% v Young Boys (h), 57% Max. 64% v Salzburg (h) 48% when defending; to 1-4-4-2 • Experienced goalkeeper Partizan (a), Skënderbeu (a) 27 3 242 Min. 54% v Salzburg (a) 8 Volodymyr Shepeliev 6 440 Bürki, good in 1v1s Min. 36% v AEK (a) when chasing goal 33 2 171 15 Viktor Tsygankov 8 649 3 3 Passes attempted • High pressing; midfielders Passes attempted • Deep defensive block; good Forwards 16 Serhiy Sydorchuk 3 242 1 541 Max. 625 v Salzburg (h) leading the press 344 Max. 459 v Skënderbeu (a) organisation, teamwork and 10 Mario Götze 4 225 2 Min. 475 v Salzburg (a) 18 Nikita Korzun 2 150 Min. 243 v AEK (a) discipline • Constructive, patient build-up 14 3 58 Passing accuracy from the back 19 Denys Garmash 8 535 Passing accuracy • Rapid transition to defence, 83% Max. 88% v Salzburg (h) 79% Max. 88% v Skënderbeu (h) with immediate pressure on 20 2 74 • Full-backs provide width; good 20 Oleh Gusev 1 8 Min. 75% v Salzburg (a) Min. 70% v Lazio (h) losing ball 21 André Schürrle 4 360 2 individual technique 25 Derlis González 8 572 3 • Set-piece threat and 42 4 331 2 • Attack through middle with 29 Vitaliy Buyalskiy 9 782 2 2 dribbling ability of left-footed Player statistics defence-splitting passes Player statistics 40 Mykola Shaparenko 5 176 Tsygankov Shots T OT G • Flexible front players Shots T OT G Forwards • Buyalskiy linking defence and interchanging positions 1 André Schürrle 13 6 2 11 Júnior Moraes 10 742 7 1 1 Júnior Moraes 25 10 7 attack with passing ability (Götze, Reus, Schürrle) 2 Michy Batshuayi 10 5 2 22 2 91 2 Viktor Tsygankov 15 6 3 • Use of game-opening • Strength lies in attacking 3 Marcel Schmelzer 5 3 1 3 Derlis González 14 4 0 diagonal balls and good game with pace and ability 41 Artem Besedin 8 334 2 crosses T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals in 1v1 situations 43 Nazariy Rusyn 1 19 1 T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals • Effective wing play, with real Passes A C % 70 Dieumerci Mbokani 3 200 2 Passes A C % width from full-back Pivarić 1 Sokratis Papastathopoulos 237 211 89% 1 Tamás Kádár 367 304 83% • Scoring threat of seven-goal 2 Ömer Toprak 209 192 92% 2 Josip Pivarić 300 221 74 % Unused substitutes: Akhmed Alibekov, Dmytro Khlyobas, Júnior Moraes 3 Mahmoud Dahoud 205 171 83% Bogdan Lednev, Vitaliy Mykolenko, Artur Rudko, 3 Viktor Tsygankov 267 210 79% Unused substitutes: Jan-Niklas Beste, Roman Weidenfeller Yevhenii Smirniy, Roman Vantukh App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed

46 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE TECHNICAL REPORT 2017/18 Statistics are UEFA Europa League only 47 SS LAZIO RB LEIPZIG Italy Germany

Coach Simone Inzaghi Team shape Coach Ralph Hasenhüttl Team shape Example: at LAZIOhome (VS to SalzburgSALZBURG (H)) Example: atRB homeLEIPZIG to (VS Marseille MARSEILLE (H)) Born: 05/04/1976, Piacenza (ITA) Born: 09/08/1967, Graz (AUT) Nationality: Italian Nationality: Austrian 17 29 Head coach: Since 08/07/2016 17 Head coach: From 01/07/2016 to 16/05/2018 11 18 17 10 ALL W D L ALL W D L 16 21 8 6 31 Matches in UEFA 19 8 Matches in UEFA Europa League/UEFA Cup* 12 7 2 3 Europa League/UEFA Cup* 6 3 1 2 16 27 26 3 27 5 6 Matches in European Matches in European club competition:** 12 7 2 3 club competition:** 12 5 2 5 1 32 *Group stage to final **Including qualifying *Group stage to final **Including qualifying

Group K Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final Group G (UEFA Champions League) Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final

VIT ZUL NCE NCE VIT ZUL FCSB FCSB DKV DKV SAL SAL MON BJK POR POR MON BJK NAP NAP ZEN ZEN MAR MAR W 2-3 W 2-0 W 1-3 W 1-0 D 1-1 L 3-2 L 1-0 W 5-1 D 2-2 W 0-2 W 4-2 L 4-1 D 1-1 L 2-0 W 3-2 L 3-1 W 1-4 L 1-2 W 1-3 L 0-2* W 2-1 D 1-1 W 1-0 L 5-2

Dark green = home, light green = away; see page 5 for full club names Dark green = home, light green = away; see page 5 for full club names *Leipzig win on away goals

Squad Team statistics Squad Team statistics

Average age: 25.4 App Mins G A Players used Goals scored Attempts On target Cards Average age: 23.5 App Mins G A PlayersRB LEIPZIG used Goals scored Attempts On target Cards Goalkeepers 26 22 0 Goalkeepers 17 10 0 1 10 900 26 152 59 32 Péter Gulácsi 6 540 9 66 21 (1 own goal) (12.7 per match) (4.9 per match) (11 per match) (3.5 per match) 25 Ivan Vargić 2 180 Defenders Time scored Time scored Defenders 7 3 Bernardo 5 265 2 2 3 7 630 1 5 5 4 Willi Orban 3 225 3 3 1 1 1 1 1 4 9 653 2 1 5 6 516 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 9 614 1-15 16-30 31-45 45+ 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 6 Ibrahima Konaté 4 315 1-15 16-30 31-45 45+ 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 8 Dušan Basta 7 555 2 (Minutes) 16 5 450 (Minutes) 13 Wallace 2 110 Midfielders Substitutions 36/36 (Including seven double substitutions) Substitutions 18/18 (No double substitutions) 15 Quissanga Bastos 6 514 1 7 5 261 0 1 0 1 12 16 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 6 6 2 0 0 22 Martín Cáceres 2 116 1-15 16-30 31-45 Half-time 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 8 Naby Keïta 5 446 2 1-15 16-30 31-45 Half-time 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 26 Ştefan Radu 6 540 (Minutes) 10 6 327 2 (Minutes) 27 Luis Felipe 10 830 1 13 Stefan Ilsanker 3 110 77 Adam Marušić 5 310 1 Averages Key features 17 Bruma 6 497 3 Averages Key features Midfielders Possession • 1-3-5-2; also 1-3-1-4-1-1; 1-5-4-1 27 4 299 Possession • 1-4-4-2 with flexibility 51% Max. 62% v Dynamo Kyiv (a) or 1-5-3-2 in defence 52% Max. 62% v Zenit (h) • High pressing; rapid transition 6 Lucas 9 668 2 2 Min. 40% v Nice (a) 31 6 399 Min. 45% v Napoli (h) • Compact defence with high to defence with instant press 10 Felipe Anderson 7 369 3 3 44 4 290 1 Passes attempted line; goalkeeper covers space Passes attempted on losing ball 11 Luca Crecco 2 145 Forwards 499 Max. 586 v Zulte Waregem (a) behind well 477 Max. 550 v Zenit (h) • Centre-backs drop back 16 8 572 2 1 Min. 363 v Salzburg (a) • Experience and composure 9 5 215 1 Min. 425 v Marseille (a) quickly together; midfield 18 Luis Alberto 9 644 1 5 Passing accuracy of Lucas, screening midfielder, 11 Timo Werner 5 445 4 2 Passing accuracy blocking passes 19 Senad Lulić 10 547 1 1 84% Max. 90% v Zulte Waregem (h) connecting the lines 29 Jean-Kévin Augustin 6 342 2 1 83% Max. 85% v Zenit (h) • Break quickly, with penetrating Min. 77% v Salzburg (h) Min. 80% v Napoli (h) 21 Sergej Milinković-Savić 8 524 2 2 • Well-organised at set pieces; vertical balls behind defence strong delivery from Luis (Keïta) 32 Alessio Miceli 2 59 Player statistics Alberto Player statistics • Danger from attacking 88 Davide Di Gennaro 3 176 • Players able to run with set pieces of Forsberg 96 Alessandro Murgia 9 696 1 1 Shots T OT G Shots T OT G ball (Felipe Anderson, • Wide midfielders come inside, 1 Ciro Immobile 28 15 8 1 Timo Werner 19 7 4 Forwards Lulić, Lukaku) find pockets; full-backs create 7 6 246 2 Luis Alberto 16 7 1 • Good use of width; wingers 2 Bruma 13 5 3 overloads (Laimer) 17 Ciro Immobile 9 582 8 1 3 14 8 3 cutting in, excellent at 1v1s 3 Naby Keïta 9 2 0 • Young, fast players with 20 Felipe Caicedo 9 520 3 2 T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals • Attacking variety with fast T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals 1v1 ability counters via penetrating 29 Simone Palombi 2 180 Passes A C % Passes A C % • Scoring threat of pacy passes from deep Werner; clever movement 1 Lucas 525 458 87% 1 Diego Demme 336 300 89% • Goal threat of Immobile, and combinations 2 Luis Alberto 476 400 84% freed from defending, 2 Naby Keïta 307 271 88% 3 Luis Felipe 467 416 89% ready to spring on counter 3 Dayot Upamecano 276 246 89% Unused substitutes: Nicolò Armini, Guido Guerrieri Unused substitutes: , Yvon Mvogo, App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed

48 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE TECHNICAL REPORT 2017/18 Statistics are UEFA Europa League only 49 FC LOKOMOTIV MOSKVA OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS Russia France

Coach Yuri Semin Team shape Coach Bruno Génésio Team shape ExampleLOKOMOTIV: at home (VS to ATLETICOAtlético deMADRID Madrid (H)) Example: versusLYON (VS CSKA CSKA Moskva MOSKVA away (A)) Born: 11/05/1947, Orenburg (RUS) Born: 01/09/1966, Lyon (FRA)

Nationality: Russian 18 Nationality: French Head coach: Since 26/08/2016 Head coach: Since 24/12/2015 9 4 59 60 11 10 ALL W D L ALL W D L 8 28 10 18 27 Matches in UEFA Matches in UEFA 29 Europa League/UEFA Cup* 46 17 14 15 84 31 Europa League/UEFA Cup* 18 11 2 5 20 23 14 33 15 6 Matches in European Matches in European club competition:** 123 49 29 45 club competition:** 24 13 4 7 77 1 *Group stage to final **Including qualifying *Group stage to final **Including qualifying

Group F Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final Group E Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final

KOB ZLI SHE SHE KOB ZLI NCE NCE ATL ATL APL ATA EVE EVE APL ATA VIL VIL CSKA CSKA D 0-0 W 3-0 D 1-1 L 1-2 W 2-1 W 0-2 W 2-3 W 1-0 L 3-0 L 1-5 D 1-1 D 1-1 W 1-2 W 3-0 W 4-0 L 1-0 W 3-1 W 0-1 W 0-1 L 2-3*

Dark green = home, light green = away; see page 5 for full club names Dark green = home, light green = away; see page 5 for full club names *CSKA win on away goals

Squad Team statistics Squad Team statistics

Average age: 28.7 App Mins G A Players used Goals scored Attempts On target Cards Average age: 24.8 App Mins G A PlayersLYON used Goals scored Attempts On target Cards Goalkeepers 22 14 0 Goalkeepers 20 17 0 1 Guilherme 7 573 14 108 39 1 10 900 18 149 64 (10.8 per match) (3.9 per match) (14.9 per match) (6.4 per match) 30 Nikita Medvedev 1 57 Defenders Time scored Time scored 77 Anton Kochenkov 3 270 4 Rafael 6 535 5 5 6 4 Defenders 3 5 5 450 1 2 2 5 Nemanja Pejčinović 10 74 5 1 1 1 6 Marcelo 10 900 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 14 Vedran Ćorluka 2 165 1-15 16-30 31-45 45+ 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 15 Jérémy Morel 6 495 1-15 16-30 31-45 45+ 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 17 Taras Mikhalik 2 170 (Minutes) 20 Marçal 6 520 (Minutes) 28 Boris Rotenberg 2 11 22 7 386 Substitutions 26/30 (Including one double substitution) Substitutions 29/30 (Including two double substitutions) 29 Vitali Denisov 2 135 23 4 360 0 1 2 4 3 9 6 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 13 13 0 0 0 33 Solomon Kverkvelia 10 900 1-15 16-30 31-45 Half-time 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 Midfielders 1-15 16-30 31-45 Half-time 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 Midfielders (Minutes) 8 8 460 1 1 (Minutes) 4 Manuel Fernandes 10 900 6 12 Jordan Ferri 6 286 2 8 Jefferson Farfán 9 581 4 1 Averages Key features 27 8 367 1 1 Averages Key features 18 Aleksandr Kolomeytsev 8 369 Possession • 1-4-2-3-1; 1-5-4-1 28 10 707 1 1 Possession • 1-4-3-3; also 1-4-2-3-1 45% Max. 55% v Zlín (a), Nice (a) • Compact defence, with deep 51% Max. 61% v Atalanta (h) and 1-4-1-4-1 20 Vladislav Ignatyev 9 771 Min. 36% v Atlético (a) 29 9 765 Min. 44% v Everton (a), CSKA Moskva (a) defensive block • Influential goalkeeper 23 Dmitri Tarasov 8 418 1 Forwards Passes attempted • Well-organised, hard- Passes attempted Lopes reads game well 27 10 900 1 433 Max. 614 v Nice (a) working team; aerial strength 9 Mariano Díaz 9 684 2 2 481 Max. 610 v Atalanta (a) • Compact defence; use of 31 Maciej Rybus 6 495 1 Min. 295 v København (a) defending set pieces 10 Bertrand Traoré 9 540 4 1 Min. 361 v Lyon (a) deep block; midfield pressing 36 2 36 Passing accuracy • Experienced Fernandes 11 10 689 3 3 Passing accuracy • Good organisation at set 59 9 784 1 4 84% Max. 93% v København (a) providing set-piece and 13 1 44 85% Max. 89% v Atalanta (a) pieces; aerial strength of Min. 77% v Atlético (a) Min. 73% v Everton (a) 60 10 690 1 1 scoring threat 17 Myziane Maolida 6 136 1 Marcelo 84 Mikhail Lysov 5 397 • Two screening midfielders; 18 8 660 3 1 • Rapid transition from defence Player statistics Denisov collects from centre- Player statistics to attack, with game-opening Forwards 19 1 15 backs to make play diagonal passes 9 Ari 2 135 Shots T OT G Shots T OT G • Full-backs push up pitch with • Attack using width; good 1 Manuel Fernandes 27 10 6 1 Mariano Díaz 32 18 2 24 Éder 9 398 1 wide forwards moving inside wing play and crosses 2 Jefferson Farfán 18 10 4 2 Bertrand Traoré 22 11 4 • Look for long passes to Éder, • Positional intelligence and 3 Aleksei Miranchuk 15 4 1 lone striker 3 Nabil Fekir 20 6 3 attacking power of Ndombele T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals • Quick attackers with dribbling Passes A C % Passes A C % skills (Cornet) 1 Manuel Fernandes 599 506 84% 1 Marcelo 570 503 88% 2 Igor Denisov 593 543 92% 2 Tanguy Ndombele 453 409 90% 3 Vladislav Ignatyev 406 332 82% Unused substitutes: Pape Cheikh, Mathieu Gorgelin, 3 Nabil Fekir 364 323 89% Unused substitutes: Alan Kasaev Elisha Owusu, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed

50 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE TECHNICAL REPORT 2017/18 51 OLYMPIQUE DE MARSEILLE AC MILAN France Italy

Coach Rudi Garcia Team shape Coach Team shape Example: atMARSEILLE home to (VS Salzburg SALZBURG (H)) Example: at homeMILAN to (VS Arsenal ARSENAL (H)) Born: 20/02/1964, Nemours (FRA) Born: 09/01/1978, Corigliano Calabro (ITA) Nationality: French Nationality: Italian 11 63 Head coach: Since 20/10/2016 Head coach: Since 27/11/2017 63 10 8 ALL W D L 5 10 26 ALL W D L 5 79 8 21 Matches in UEFA 27 Matches in UEFA 68 2 Europa League/UEFA Cup* 37 15 9 13 18 17 Europa League/UEFA Cup* 5 2 0 3 2 19 23 13 19 Matches in European Matches in European club competition:** 72 27 19 26 club competition:** 5 2 0 3 16 99 *Group stage to final **Including qualifying *Group stage to final **Including qualifying was coach for matchdays 1 to 5 Group I Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final Group D Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final

KON SAL VSC VSC KON SAL BRA BRA ATH ATH RBL RBL SAL SAL ATL AW RJK AEK AEK AW RJK LUD LUD ARS ARS W 1-0 L 1-0 W 2-1 L 1-0 D 1-1 D 0-0 W 3-0 L 1-0 W 3-1 W 1-2 L 1-0 W 5-2 W 2-0 L 2-1* L 0-3 W 1-5 W 3-2 D 0-0 D 0-0 W 5-1 L 2-0 W 0-3 W 1-0 L 0-2 L 3-1

Dark green = home, light green = away, orange = final; see page 5 for full club names *After extra time Dark green = home, light green = away; see page 5 for full club names

Squad Team statistics Squad Team statistics

Average age: 26.2 App Mins G A PlayersMARSEILLE used Goals scored Attempts On target Cards Average age: 25.9 App Mins G A PlayersMILAN used Goals scored Attempts On target Cards

Goalkeepers 20 35 3 Goalkeepers 27 14 0 16 Yohann Pelé 8 750 20 200 64 30 1 90 18 147 44 (2 own goals) (13.3 per match) (4.3 per match) Sent off: (14.7 per match) (4.4 per match) 30 Steve Mandanda 7 630 , 90 1 90 Time scored Jordan Amavi, 99 8 720 Time scored Defenders 6 4 2 10 765 1 1 4 Defenders 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 4 Boubacar Kamara 6 536 1 1 1 2 4 349 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 Rolando 9 739 1 1-15 16-30 31-45 45+ 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 13 8 688 1-15 16-30 31-45 45+ 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 13 Aymen Abdennour 2 180 (Minutes) 15 Gustavo Gómez 1 10 (Minutes) 18 Jordan Amavi 12 1011 1 17 Cristián Zapata 4 360 Substitutions 43/45 (No double substitutions) Substitutions 29/30 (Including two double substitutions) 21 Patrice Evra 2 148 19 Leonardo Bonucci 9 726 1 0 1 1 1 6 14 19 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 3 17 7 0 0 0 23 Adil Rami 14 1262 1 1-15 16-30 31-45 Half-time 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 20 5 346 1-15 16-30 31-45 Half-time 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 Midfielders (Minutes) 22 5 376 1 (Minutes) 5 Lucas Ocampos 13 964 4 1 29 1 90 8 Morgan Sanson 13 1067 2 Averages Key features 31 Luca Antonelli 3 196 1 Averages Key features 10 Dimitri Payet 12 811 3 7 Possession • 1-4-2-3-1 68 Ricardo Rodríguez 7 544 2 2 Possession • 1-4-3-3; 1-4-4-2 53% Max. 63% v Vitória SC (h) 55% Max. 64% v Rijeka (a) • Compact in defence, with Midfielders • Defence takes high line; good 17 Bouna Sarr 15 1000 1 Min. 45% v Leipzig (h) Min. 46% v Arsenal (a), Ludogorets (a) midfield pressing organisation at set pieces 19 Luiz Gustavo 15 1326 4 Josè Mauri 2 53 Passes attempted • Experienced, authoritative Passes attempted • Leadership of Bonucci, 26 Florian Thauvin 12 762 3 2 5 6 345 449 Max. 601 v Braga (h) centre-backs (Rami, Luiz 540 Max. 683 v Austria Wien (a) with positional sense and 27 Maxime Lopez 13 957 1 2 Min. 311 v Leipzig (h) Gustavo) 8 7 434 1 Min. 458 v Ludogorets (h) tackling ability 29 André Zambo Anguissa 14 585 Passing accuracy • Excellent passing; assured 10 Hakan Çalhanoğlu 8 613 2 4 Passing accuracy • High pressing; fast transition Forwards 83% Max. 91% v Vitória SC (h) combination play; rapid 11 8 467 2 3 88% Max. 93% v Austria Wien (a) on winning ball with assured Min. 75% v Salzburg (a) Min. 83% v Ludogorets (a), Rijeka (a) 11 Kostas Mitroglou 7 384 transitions 18 3 270 combinations 14 Clinton Njie 11 446 1 1 • Attacking variety, both through 21 5 450 • Good wing play; full-backs Player statistics middle and via good wing play Player statistics (Rodríguez) excellent in 28 Valère Germain 13 843 2 45 Niccolo Zanellato 1 74 transition, supplying width Shots T OT G • Catalyst Payet with vision and 73 7 454 Shots T OT G ability to dissect defences in • Çalhanoğlu moves infield to 1 Lucas Ocampos 29 11 4 1 28 10 4 open play and with dead balls 79 Franck Kessié 9 578 2 create space of overlapping 2 Valère Germain 24 10 2 2 André Silva 23 9 6 • Technical players with Forwards full-back 3 Dimitri Payet 22 8 3 dribbling ability (Thauvin) 7 Nikola Kalinić 6 184 1 3 Hakan Çalhanoğlu 15 8 2 • Vision and game intelligence T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals • Entertaining attacking football, 9 André Silva 10 722 6 T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals of Biglia, bringing balance in midfield Passes A C % and strong team spirit 27 Riccardo Forte 1 10 Passes A C % • Suso looking for 1v1, employing 1 Luiz Gustavo 689 617 90% 63 Patrick Cutrone 9 661 4 1 1 Leonardo Bonucci 567 497 88% speed and dribbling ability 2 Maxime Lopez 629 573 91% 2 Alessio Romagnoli 535 500 93% Unused substitutes: , Dória, Florian Escales, 3 Adil Rami 614 531 86% 3 Lucas Biglia 361 328 91% Christopher Rocchia, Yusuf Sarı, Grégory Sertic Unused substitutes: App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed

52 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE TECHNICAL REPORT 2017/18 53 FC VIKTORIA PLZEŇ FC SALZBURG Czech Republic Austria

Coach Pavel Vrba Team shape Coach Marco Rose Team shape Example: versusPLZEN Sporting (VS SPORTING away (A)) Example: atSALZBURG home to (VS Marseille MARSEILLE (H)) Born: 06/12/1963, Přerov (CZE) Born: 11/09/1976, Leipzig (GER)

Nationality: Czech 15 Nationality: German 9 Head coach: Since 01/07/2017 Head coach: Since 01/07/2017 21 9 26 11 42 ALL W D L ALL W D L 4 14 17 Matches in UEFA 17 7 Matches in UEFA 8 Europa League/UEFA Cup* 24 13 5 6 8 14 Europa League/UEFA Cup* 14 7 5 2 17 22 5 15 4 2 Matches in European Matches in European club competition:** 68 38 13 17 club competition:** 20 11 7 2 16 33 *Group stage to final **Including qualifying *Group stage to final **Including qualifying

Group G Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final Group I Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final

FCSB HBS LUG LUG FCSB HBS PAR PAR SCP SCP VSC MAR KON KON VSC MAR RS RS DOR DOR LAZ LAZ MAR MAR L 3-0 W 3-1 L 3-2 W 4-1 W 2-0 W 0-2 D 1-1 W 2-0 L 2-0 W 2-1* D 1-1 W 1-0 W 0-2 D 0-0 W 3-0 D 0-0 D 2-2 W 2-1 W 1-2 D 0-0 L 4-2 W 4-1 L 2-0 W 2-1*

Dark green = home, light green = away; see page 5 for full club names *After extra time Dark green = home, light green = away; see page 5 for full club names *After extra time

Squad Team statistics Squad Team statistics

Average age: 29 App Mins G A PlayersPLZEN used Goals scored Attempts On target Cards Average age: 24.4 App Mins G A PlayersRB SALZBURG used Goals scored Attempts On target Cards

Goalkeepers 22 17 0 Goalkeepers 24 32 1 16 Aleš Hruška 10 930 18 126 54 1 Cican Stankovic 1 90 21 186 58 (12.6 per match) (5.4 per match) (2 own goals) (13.3 per match) (4.1 per match) Sent off: Defenders 33 13 1200 Amadou Haidara Time scored Time scored 2 Lukáš Hejda 9 734 1 1 7 Defenders 7 4 Roman Hubník 6 540 3 Paulo Miranda 5 450 4 3 2 3 2 8 David Limberský 7 630 2 1 2 2 1 5 Duje Ćaleta-Car 13 1200 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 14 Radim Řezník 10 916 1 2 1-15 16-30 31-45 45+ 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 6 Jérôme Onguéné 1 90 1-15 16-30 31-45 45+ 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 21 Tomáš Hájek 5 480 (Minutes) 15 André Ramalho 8 731 1 (Minutes) 24 Milan Havel 3 300 1 17 14 1267 1 2 Substitutions 30/30 (Including two double substitutions) Substitutions 37/42 (No double substitutions) Midfielders 22 14 1290 1 5 0 0 0 0 3 12 12 1 2 0 0 0 0 1 3 15 16 1 1 0 6 Václav Pilař 3 118 1-15 16-30 31-45 Half-time 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 34 Marin Pongračić 3 132 1-15 16-30 31-45 Half-time 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 7 Tomáš Hořava 9 775 2 1 (Minutes) Midfielders (Minutes) 9 Martin Zeman 7 341 2 4 Amadou Haidara 14 1219 2 10 Jan Kopic 9 768 2 2 Averages Key features 7 8 285 1 Averages Key features 11 Milan Petržela 10 595 2 2 Possession • 1-4-2-3-1, becoming 1-3-4-3 8 Diadié Samassékou 12 1081 1 Possession • 1-4-4-2, with midfield diamond; 52% Max. 62% v Lugano (a) in attack 50% Max. 60% v Konyaspor (h) also 1-4-3-2-1 17 Patrik Hrošovský 10 930 1 Min. 43% v Sporting CP (a), H. Beer-Sheva (a) 11 Marc Rzatkowski 2 21 Min. 36% v Dortmund (a) • Solid, influential goalkeeper • Experienced, influential 19 Jan Kovařík 2 135 1 13 7 401 Passes attempted Hruška, helping build-up Passes attempted goalkeeper in Walke 25 Aleš Čermák 7 223 2 2 14 Valon Berisha 13 1138 5 1 425 Max. 514 v Partizan (a) from back 408 Max. 522 v Konyaspor (h) • Purposeful, possession-based 26 Daniel Kolář 9 740 Min. 334 v Lugano (h) • Two holding midfielders, take 18 Takumi Minamino 8 197 2 1 Min. 314 v Real Sociedad (a) approach; short and medium- 29 Diego Živulić 3 67 Passing accuracy turns supporting centre-backs 20 David Atanga 1 31 Passing accuracy passing game 33 Andreas Ivanschitz 1 16 1 81% Max. 88% v Lugano (a) • Decent shape; team moving as 24 Christoph Leitgeb 2 19 80% Max. 89% v Vitória SC (a) • Strong full-back play (Lainer); Min. 72% v Partizan (h) Min. 72% v Dortmund (h) Forwards unit in defence and attack 42 14 883 1 dribbling and crossing 15 Michael Krmenčík 8 574 4 2 • Flexible in formation, players Forwards • Mobile screening midfielder Player statistics interchanging position with Player statistics Samassékou; strong in passing, 18 Tomáš Chorý 3 35 9 Munas Dabbur 14 1286 5 2 good movement 1v1 23 Marek Bakoš 6 232 4 Shots T OT G 19 Hee-Chan Hwang 9 520 2 Shots T OT G • Quick, technical, committed • Rapid transitions; effective 1 Jan Kopic 19 9 2 1 Munas Dabbur 38 12 5 37 Jakub Řezníček 3 152 footballers with good passing 20 Samuel Tetteh 1 4 pressing and move ball quickly 2= Michael Krmenčík 15 6 4 ability (Kopic) 21 Fredrik Gulbrandsen 13 631 1 2 Valon Berisha 27 8 5 once in possession 2= Tomáš Hořava 15 6 2 • Wide attackers move inside 41 1 25 3 Amadou Haidara 25 4 2 • Fast, hard-working players with T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals near target striker, creating T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals impressive intensity and energy space for full-backs Passes A C % Passes A C % • Good movement, technique • Scoring potential of four- from attacking players 1 Patrik Hrošovský 504 435 86% 1 Valon Berisha 650 528 81% goal Bakoš (Dabbur, Hwang) 2 Tomáš Hořava 409 363 89% 2 Duje Ćaleta-Car 642 573 89% • Focus and determination in 3 Jan Kopic 345 289 84% Unused substitutes: Patrick Farkas, Luca Meisl, 3 Andreas Ulmer 602 447 74 % losing situation (v Lazio) Unused substitutes: Matúš Kozáčik Carlos Miguel, , Stefan Stangl App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed

54 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE TECHNICAL REPORT 2017/18 55 SPORTING CLUBE DE PORTUGAL FC ZENIT Portugal Russia

Coach Team shape Coach Team shape Example: atSPORTING home to CP Viktoria (VS PLZEN Plzeň (H)) Example: at ZENIThome (VS to LeipzigRB LEIPZIG (H)) Born: 24/07/1954, Amadora (POR) Born: 27/11/1964, Lesi (ITA) Nationality: Portuguese Nationality: Italian 40 9 Head coach: From 01/07/2015 to 05/06/2018 Head coach: From 01/07/2017 to 13/05/2018 11 9 20 77 ALL W D L ALL W D L 18 10 5 8 8 5 Matches in UEFA 14 Matches in UEFA Europa League/UEFA Cup* 64 36 12 16 5 13 Europa League/UEFA Cup* 47 23 13 11 4 19 22 4 2323 60 Matches in European Matches in European club competition:** 123 59 25 39 club competition:** 120 56 31 33 1 99 *Group stage to final **Including qualifying *Group stage to final **Including qualifying

Group D (UEFA Champions League) Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final Group L Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final

O LY BAR JUV JUV O LY BAR AST AST PLZ PLZ ATL ATL VRD RS ROS ROS VRD RS CEL CEL RBL RBL W 2-3 L 0-1 L 2-1 D 1-1 W 3-1 L 2-0 W 1-3 D 3-3 W 2-0 L 2-1* L 2-0 W 1-0 W 0-5 W 3-1 W 3-1 D 1-1 W 2-1 W 1-3 L 1-0 W 3-0 L 2-1 D 1-1

Dark green = home, light green = away; see page 5 for full club names *After extra time Dark green = home, light green = away; see page 5 for full club names

Squad Team statistics Squad Team statistics

Average age: 26.1 App Mins G A PlayersSPORTING used Goals scored Attempts On target Cards Average age: 27.1 App Mins G A PlayersZENIT used Goals scored Attempts On target Cards Goalkeepers 21 14 0 Goalkeepers 22 16 0 1 Rui Patrício 6 570 10 96 37 1 2 180 22 107 43 (16 per match) (6.2 per match) (10.7 per match) (4.3 per match) Defenders 99 Andrei Lunev 8 720 Time scored Time scored 4 Sebastián Coates 4 360 5 Defenders 5 4 4 5 Fábio Coentrão 5 432 1 3 Denis Terentyev 2 102 3 3 6 André Pinto 4 390 1 1 1 1 1 4 Domenico Criscito 9 810 1 2 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 Stefan Ristovski 3 259 1-15 16-30 31-45 45+ 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 19 5 330 1-15 16-30 31-45 45+ 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 22 Jérémy Mathieu 5 416 (Minutes) 23 Miha Mevlja 10 892 (Minutes) 92 3 233 30 Emanuel Mammana 8 717 Substitutions 18/18 (No double substitutions) Substitutions 28/30 (Including two double substitutions) Midfielders 50 Maksim Karpov 1 3 0 1 1 1 3 4 7 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 9 16 0 0 0 7 Rúben Ribeiro 6 107 1-15 16-30 31-45 Half-time 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 60 Branislav Ivanović 7 615 3 2 1-15 16-30 31-45 Half-time 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 8 Bruno Fernandes 6 567 3 4 (Minutes) Midfielders (Minutes) 11 Bruno César 1 12 5 Leandro Paredes 7 545 1 3 14 4 255 Averages Key features 8 Matías Kranevitter 10 682 Averages Key features 16 Rodrigo Battaglia 6 456 1 Possession • 1-4-3-3 and 1-5-4-1; becoming 10 Emiliano Rigoni 10 775 6 2 Possession • 1-4-4-2, or 1-4-4-1-1; 1-4-2-3-1 56% Max. 62% v Astana (a) 1-3-4-3 when attacking 44% Max. 59% v Vardar (h) away from home 20 6 487 2 Min. 53% v Plzeň (a) 14 Daler Kuzyaev 7 541 1 1 Min. 31% v Real Sociedad (a) • Patient build-up from back • Use of deep passes to forward 25 Radosav Petrović 2 131 16 Christian Noboa 5 336 3 Passes attempted to middle Passes attempted runners; diagonal balls to 66 João Palhinha 1 74 17 2 120 550 Max. 612 v Plzeň (h) • High pressing; applying 390 Max. 566 v Vardar (h) switch play Forwards Min. 483 v Atlético (h) pressure in moment after 18 4 216 Min. 222 v Real Sociedad (a) • Compact midfield block; wide 9 Marcos Acuña 6 403 Passing accuracy losing ball 21 Aleksandr Erokhin 9 502 1 Passing accuracy midfielders marking opposition 28 Bas Dost 3 300 1 1 86% Max. 90% v Plzeň (h) • Fast transitions; threatening Forwards 83% Max. 89% v Vardar (a), Rosenborg (h) full-backs Min. 81% v Atlético (h) Min. 70% v Real Sociedad (a) 40 Fredy Montero 5 256 3 on counterattack 7 Dmitri Poloz 7 285 1 1 • Retreated into own half in away leg v Leipzig; just one 77 Gelson Martins 5 474 1 • Good wing play with effective 9 9 698 6 1 Player statistics use of full-backs and plenty Player statistics forward upfield 88 Seydou Doumbia 2 72 1 11 Sebastian Driussi 8 359 1 of crosses • Experienced Zhirkov working 93 Rafael Leão 1 16 Shots T OT G 22 4 168 1 1 Shots T OT G • Wide players move inside, find well in both directions 1 Bruno Fernandes 24 10 3 1 Emiliano Rigoni 20 9 6 space behind centre-forward 29 4 305 • Attack-minded full-back 2 Marcos Acuña 13 1 0 2= Aleksandr Kokorin 15 9 6 3= Bryan Ruiz 10 6 0 • Influential midfielder Criscito bringing leadership 3= Fredy Montero 10 5 3 Fernandes providing passing 2= Leandro Paredes 15 5 1 as well as crossing ability 3= Gelson Martins 10 5 1 vision and positioning T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals • Paredes the playmaker, controlling presence in midfield, T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals • Quick, skilful Martins a Passes A C % danger when cutting inside switching play Passes A C % 1 Domenico Criscito 385 306 79% 1 Bruno Fernandes 374 309 83% with 1v1 ability • Good set-piece options with 2 Miha Mevlja 381 347 91% 2 Rodrigo Battaglia 327 300 92% both Paredes and Criscito Unused substitutes: Elves Baldé, , 3 Bryan Ruiz 268 230 86% Unused substitutes: Mikhail Kerzhakov, Ivan Novoseltsev, 3 Emanuel Mammana 348 320 92% , Ronaldo Tavares Dmitri Pletnev, Ilya Skrobotov App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed

56 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE TECHNICAL REPORT 2017/18 Statistics are UEFA Europa League only 57 All eyes on the ball for an Atleti cross during the final (right)

Roll of honour 2018 Club Atlético de Madrid Editorial 2017 Manchester United FC , David Gough, Simon Hart 2016 Sevilla FC 2015 Sevilla FC UEFA technical observers 2014 Sevilla FC At the final: Milenko Ačimovič, Jerzy Engel, Stefan Majewski, 2013 Chelsea FC Mixu Paatelainen, Thomas Schaaf, Ghenadie Scurtul 2012 Club Atlético de Madrid During the season: Milenko Ačimovič, Cristian Chivu, Savvas 2011 FC Porto Constantinou, Jerzy Engel, Stefan Majewski, Jarmo Matikainen, 2010 Club Atlético de Madrid Mixu Paatelainen, Jean-Pierre Papin, Willibald Ruttensteiner, 2009 FC Shakhtar Thomas Schaaf, Ghenadie Scurtul, László Szalai 2008 FC Zenit 2007 Sevilla FC UEFA Head of Football Education Services 2006 Sevilla FC Frank K. Ludolph 2005 PFC CSKA Moskva 2004 CF UEFA Publications Manager 2003 FC Porto Emmanuel Deconche 2002 2001 Liverpool FC Managing editor 2000 Galatasaray AŞ Michael Harrold 1999 Parma FC 1998 FC Internazionale Milano Design 1997 FC Schalke 04 Oliver Meikle, Fernando Pires, Daniel Nutter 1996 FC Bayern München 1995 Parma FC Contributors 1994 FC Internazionale Milano Andrew Haslam, Rebecca Hopkins, Anthony Naughton 1993 Juventus 1992 AFC Ajax Statistics 1991 FC Internazionale Milano Rob Esteva, UEFA Data Services 1990 Juventus 1989 SSC Napoli Production 1988 Kat Rickards, Stéphanie Tetaz, Aleksandra Sersniova 1987 IFK Göteborg 1986 Real Madrid CF Translation 1985 Real Madrid CF French: Zouhair El Fehri, Patrick Pfister, Cécile Pierreclos, 1984 Tottenham Hotspur FC Sébastien Plader, Anna Simon 1983 RSC Anderlecht German: Doris Egger, Sabine Redlich, Florian Simmen, 1982 IFK Göteborg Sandra Wisniewski, Frédéric Wyler 1981 Ipswich Town FC 1980 Eintracht Photography Getty Images, UEFA 1979 VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach 1978 PSV Eindhoven Printing Artgraphic Cavin, Grandson 1977 Juventus 1976 Liverpool FC Designed and produced by TwelfthMan on behalf of UEFA 1975 VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach UEFA 2018. All rights reserved. The UEFA word, the UEFA Europa 1974 Feyenoord League logo and trophy are protected by trade marks and/or 1973 Liverpool FC ©copyright of UEFA. No use for commercial purposes may 1972 Tottenham Hotspur FC be made of such trade marks.

58 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE TECHNICAL REPORT 2017/18