DESPITE ANOTHER CREDITABLE Europa League display, Dundalk emerged empty-handed from their latest match against Zenit amid the cold Russian weather.
However, the 0-0 draw between Maccabi and AZ tonight means the League of Ireland side remain second in their group with just two rounds of matches to play.
If they beat AZ and draw with Maccabi, Stephen Kenny’s side could still finish level on points with the Israeli team, but their superior head-to-head record would see them progress and receive an extra €750,000 for advancing, as well as €360,000 for any win and €120,000 for a draw in the process.
Yet even if they lose their final two group matches and bow out in anti-climactic fashion, everything from this point on is a bonus in what has been a dream season for Dundalk.
2. Shades of the Louis van Gaal era in Man United’s latest performance
Jose Mourinho’s arrival at Manchester United was supposed to signal a revolution at Old Trafford.
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The signing of talented attacking players such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan suggested the so-called ‘boring’ football of the Louis van Gaal era was set to end abruptly.
Yet despite the millions spent since the Dutch coach’s departure, with the Red Devils struggling in Europe and eighth in the Premier League, there is little evidence to suggest they are considerably better off compared with last season.
Tonight against Fenerbahce was a prime example — Mourinho’s men dominated possession, as Van Gaal’s teams usually did, but a Wayne Rooney thunderbolt aside, they showed little in attack and seldom looked capable of breaking down a side that currently sit fifth in the Turkish league after nine games.
Consequently, recent setbacks warrant asking whether United actually are improving or indeed regressing since Mourinho took charge.
3. Daryl Horgan and Andy Boyle show class on the big stage
Dundalk's Daryl Horgan, right, scores against Zenit's goalkeeper Mikhail Kerzhakov and defender Nicolas Lombaerts, left. Dmitri Lovetsky
Dmitri Lovetsky
After their recent call-ups to the Ireland squad, there was arguably more pressure than ever on Dundalk pair Daryl Horgan and Andy Boyle to justify the hype.
Yet both players proceeded to show why they caught Martin O’Neill’s eye with similarly impressive displays in Russia this evening.
Although he will have been disappointed at the concession of two goals, Boyle was solid for the most part, regularly reading dangerous situations and keeping Zenit at bay with his uncompromising, no-nonsense defending.
Meanwhile, Horgan once again showed that he can influence the game at a high level. The Galway native’s second-half equaliser was proof of his big game temperament — the composure he showed to sprint through on goal, intelligently cut across the trailing defender (Belgian international Nicolas Lombaerts) and finish calmly was evidence of the 24-year-old winger’s growing confidence and ability.
4. Southampton’s resilience knows no bounds
Leicester aside, there aren’t many more remarkable stories in English football right now than Southampton.
Season after season, their lack of financial muscle threatens to undermine their steady progress.
Several top players and managers have departed the club in recent seasons, yet somehow, they manage to emerge from the experience as strong as ever.
They have begun life under new manager Claude Puel solidly — they sit ninth in the Premier League and are in pole position to qualify from their Europa League group after deservedly beating Inter tonight.
Their success is therefore not just a testament to the quality of their players and coaches, but to how efficiently the club is run as a whole — something that is seldom said about mega-rich Premier League outfits with their penchants for quick-fix solutions.
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What Dundalk need to qualify and more Europa League talking points
1. Four points will be enough for Dundalk
DESPITE ANOTHER CREDITABLE Europa League display, Dundalk emerged empty-handed from their latest match against Zenit amid the cold Russian weather.
However, the 0-0 draw between Maccabi and AZ tonight means the League of Ireland side remain second in their group with just two rounds of matches to play.
With Zenit already through thanks to their win tonight, four points will be enough to guarantee Dundalk progression.
If they beat AZ and draw with Maccabi, Stephen Kenny’s side could still finish level on points with the Israeli team, but their superior head-to-head record would see them progress and receive an extra €750,000 for advancing, as well as €360,000 for any win and €120,000 for a draw in the process.
Yet even if they lose their final two group matches and bow out in anti-climactic fashion, everything from this point on is a bonus in what has been a dream season for Dundalk.
2. Shades of the Louis van Gaal era in Man United’s latest performance
Jose Mourinho’s arrival at Manchester United was supposed to signal a revolution at Old Trafford.
The signing of talented attacking players such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan suggested the so-called ‘boring’ football of the Louis van Gaal era was set to end abruptly.
Yet despite the millions spent since the Dutch coach’s departure, with the Red Devils struggling in Europe and eighth in the Premier League, there is little evidence to suggest they are considerably better off compared with last season.
Tonight against Fenerbahce was a prime example — Mourinho’s men dominated possession, as Van Gaal’s teams usually did, but a Wayne Rooney thunderbolt aside, they showed little in attack and seldom looked capable of breaking down a side that currently sit fifth in the Turkish league after nine games.
Consequently, recent setbacks warrant asking whether United actually are improving or indeed regressing since Mourinho took charge.
3. Daryl Horgan and Andy Boyle show class on the big stage
After their recent call-ups to the Ireland squad, there was arguably more pressure than ever on Dundalk pair Daryl Horgan and Andy Boyle to justify the hype.
Yet both players proceeded to show why they caught Martin O’Neill’s eye with similarly impressive displays in Russia this evening.
Although he will have been disappointed at the concession of two goals, Boyle was solid for the most part, regularly reading dangerous situations and keeping Zenit at bay with his uncompromising, no-nonsense defending.
Meanwhile, Horgan once again showed that he can influence the game at a high level. The Galway native’s second-half equaliser was proof of his big game temperament — the composure he showed to sprint through on goal, intelligently cut across the trailing defender (Belgian international Nicolas Lombaerts) and finish calmly was evidence of the 24-year-old winger’s growing confidence and ability.
4. Southampton’s resilience knows no bounds
Leicester aside, there aren’t many more remarkable stories in English football right now than Southampton.
Season after season, their lack of financial muscle threatens to undermine their steady progress.
Several top players and managers have departed the club in recent seasons, yet somehow, they manage to emerge from the experience as strong as ever.
They have begun life under new manager Claude Puel solidly — they sit ninth in the Premier League and are in pole position to qualify from their Europa League group after deservedly beating Inter tonight.
Their success is therefore not just a testament to the quality of their players and coaches, but to how efficiently the club is run as a whole — something that is seldom said about mega-rich Premier League outfits with their penchants for quick-fix solutions.
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Analysis UEFA Europa League Daryl Horgan Jose Mourinho Stephen Kenny Dundalk Manchester United