3 things we learned from the UEFA Europa League semifinal first leg

#2 Valencia started strongly but fizzled out in the end

Mouctar Diakhaby

Valencia was up against their former manager at the Emirates and fielded a defensive 5-4-1 formation. They wanted to come out unbeaten from Arsenal’s home ground and tried to keep a clean sheet. They also got the opening goal in the 11th minute of the match through Mouctar Diakhaby, but could not hold on to the lead for long.

Valencia had the talented Rodrigo as their lone forward, but the latter struggled to find form last night. Moreover, their attacking midfielders like Gameiro and Guedes also failed to impress, as the likes of Xhaka, Matteo Guendouzi, and Mesut Ozil dictated terms in the midfield.

Valencia’s defence struggled to hold its own against Arsenal’s forward duo and conceded three goals. It would be an uphill task for them to actually make a comeback in the return leg, as Arsenal already have a foot in the final.