Amad Diallo’s first Manchester United goal was overshadowed by a late equaliser from AC Milan, Harry Kane once again inspired Tottenham to victory and Arsenal avoided embarrassment in Athens with two late goals.
Five things we learned from last night’s action:
Manchester United 1-1 AC Milan
Amad Diallo can become a United legend
When Amad Diallo came on at half time for only his third first team appearance for Manchester United, it was hard to disagree with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s decision as his side looked off the pace and void of ideas in the opening 45 minutes against AC Milan
But that was soon solved by their new teenage sensation.
1 – Amad Diallo’s first goal for Manchester United came with his first ever shot for the club, and in just his third appearance (all as a substitute). Lift-off. pic.twitter.com/3GdcMcjVDN
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 11, 2021
Diallo set the tone immediately after replacing Anthony Martial with his relentless running and electric energy, soon placing his name in the United history books.
Bruno Fernandes, who had a quiet first half, lofted a magnificent ball over the Milan defence for the run of the 18-year-old, who spun superbly to send a backwards header looping over Gianluigi Donnarumma, becoming the 4th youngest United player to score in a major European competition for United in the process.
Within just five minutes of coming on Diallo had done more than the entire starting front three of United and at only 18 the sky really is the limit for the Ivory Coast international.
Dean Henderson’s uncharacteristic mistake
Very rarely will a team in the Premier League have a fantastic first choice goalkeeper and back-up, but Manchester United certainly have that privilege this season with both David De Gea and Dean Henderson on their books.
However, the latter will be disappointed with his role in AC Milan’s last-gasp equaliser.
With just seconds left on the clock Simon Kjaer’s powerful header flew past Henderson, handing Milan a crucial away goal.
Initially it looked as though the header was unstoppable but on second glance, the header is more or less straight at Henderson and his attempt at palming the ball away was poor for a keeper of his calibre.
The shot-stopper, who was on loan at Sheffield United last season, has been enjoying a run of games in the United starting 11 recently whilst De Gea is back in Spain following the birth of his first child.
And following his world class save against Crystal Palace and clean sheet in the Manchester Derby, this error could harm his confidence in future games.
Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Dinamo Zagreb
Steven Bergwijn now a sixth-choice attacker for Spurs
At the start of the season, you couldn’t get Steven Bergwijn out of the Tottenham starting XI, however since the 2-1 defeat to Liverpool the Dutch forward has barely featured.
The 23-year-old was a huge part of Jose Mourinho’s team over the first half of the campaign but more recently the Portuguese tactician has let loose with his attackers, moving Tanguy Ndombele into a deeper role and releasing Gareth Bale.
A triple substitution on the hour mark signified Bergwijn’s role in the team now, with Heung-Min Son, Erik Lamela and Dele Alli being replaced by Lucas Moura, Bale and finally Bergwijn.
Both Bale and Moura started Spurs’ last Premier League game whilst Bergwijn was an un-used substitute.
If anything, this just highlights Tottenham’s quality in attack, in that a very talented international can’t find his way into the team, even in the Europa League.
And while it’s great to have this level of depth, Bergwijn certainly won’t want to remain on the Tottenham bench.
Harry Kane is a master of football
Described by his manager as being a master of football in his post-match press conference, Harry Kane delivered yet another all-round performance.
Kane bagged the two goals in Spurs’ 2-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb last night and both were typical strikers finishes.
But there was so much more to the England captain’s performance.
He was the player who started the move deep in midfield with an attempted ball over to Son, but was in the right place at the right time to tap home the rebound from Lamela’s effort.
In the second half a dangerous header from Kevin Theopile-Catherine was blocked superbly on the goal-line by Kane.
So not only did the 27-year-old score both of Tottenham’s goals, he was also trying to start moves and just to top it off he made sure that Hugo Lloris’ clean sheet was left in tact with his late block.
The superlatives simply are just running out for the North London striker.
Olympiakos 1-3 Arsenal
No complacency this time for Arsenal
There’s no doubt that Arsenal are haunted by their Europa League exit last season at the hands of Olympiakos, so when Mikael Arteta’s team drew the Greek Champions again, it was either time for revenge or further embarrassment.
Victory and three away goals! 💪
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 11, 2021
🔴 1-3 🔵 (FT)
🏆 #UEL
Thankfully for all associated with Arsenal they chose the former.
It wasn’t a perfect performance, far from it, from the Gunners but they have definitely put themselves in a great position to reach the next round of the Europa League.
Two late goals from Mohammed Elneny and Gabriel added to Martin Odegaard’s opener after Youssef El Arabi cancelled out the Norwegian’s first Arsenal goal.
Defensive mistakes may not have drastically cost them but yet again Arteta was left watching frustrated on the touchline.
The knockout round will undoubtedly become harder as Arsenal go through the competition and these unforced errors at the back need to stop soon if the 2019 Europa League runners up want to go one better this season.
