The group stage of the Europa League is now at the halfway stage and taking shape with few surprises.
Not everything is proving straightforward, however.
We all know Union Berlin are the surprise leaders of the Bundesliga and the man who has led them throughout this impressive spell is Urs Fischer.
Until last weekend, they were unbeaten domestically but were yet to get off the mark in Europe until tonight.
Then they went to Malmo – for those with a long memory they were surprise European Cup finalists in 1979 – and, despite Andras Schafer’s red card a minute before the break, Sheraldo Becker’s strike midway through the second half earned them their first Europa League 2022 highlights of the season which also gives them a chance of qualification.
Elsewhere in Group D, with Gustaf Nilsson scoring four minutes from time and in the fourth minute of stoppage time to earn Union Saint-Gilloise a 2-1 win at Sporting Braga, the little-known Belgians had maintained a 100-per cent record.
The Austrians of Sturm Graz gained one of the results of the night as they held Italian giants Lazio to a goalless draw in Group F.
They had several chances and a few scares in their own box, including a disallowed Ciro Immobile goal.
The marksman had the ball in the net 10 minutes from time, only for it to be ruled narrowly offside.
Moments later, Sturm Graz went down to 10 men as Jusuf Gazibegovic was sent off for a second yellow card but they held out for a point which leaves all four sides in the group on four points.
Group G surprises me with two of the regular European compatriots well adrift of two clubs this SBOTOP writer considers to be minnows, SC Freiburg and FK Qarabag. They are in pole position to reach the knockout stages.
Take a look at the Europa League 2022 betting odds and you will find Jose Mourinho’s Roma among the firm favourites for a tournament he tasted victory in with FC Porto (2003) and Manchester United (2017).
He also enjoyed success last term in the inaugural Europa Conference, although no one was fooled by the triumph in a competition which was set up to grant more clubs access to European football, yet really is the poor relation of football’s trophies and is anything but prestigious.
Strengthened in the summer, Roma have made a strong start to the new campaign and are currently just four points off the Serie A summit.
The home reverse to Real Betis in Group C was certainly a surprise then.
Leading through a 34th minute penalty from Paulo Dybala – a player more used to plying his trade in the latter stages of the Champions League – their advantage only lasted six minutes.
Guido Rodriguez equalised with a ferocious daisy-cutter from distance that fizzed into the near bottom corner.
And then, with the seconds ticking down, Rodri’s cross found Luiz Henrique who looped a header over Rui Patricio.
It got even worse for the hosts as Nicolo Zaniolo lost his temper and was sent off for a truly idiotic kick off the ball, meaning he will be suspended for the return fixture.
That was the surprise of the night in a competition which is making me excited about Thursday nights for the first time in a while.
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