Manchester City 1-1 Juventus

Manchester City secured top spot in Group A after coming from behind in their Europa League match to take a point against Juventus in Turin.• Mancini expresses delight

Jo, the only senior striker in the team, rose to the challenge to cancel out the opening goal from Niccolo Giannetti.

The Brazilian kept a cool head in the 77th minute to sweep the ball home at the back post following a cross from Adam Johnson.

City manager Roberto Mancini made nine changes to his side, with only Jerome Boateng and Jo retaining their places following the Premier League victory over West Ham at the weekend. Micah Richards was given the captain's armband.

Liverpool 0-0 FC Utrecht

Liverpool may have given children free tickets for the Europa League tie against Utrecht at Anfield but even they will have felt short-changed by the disappointing goalless draw against Utrecht at Anfield.

On Tuesday manager Roy Hodgson had pledged to play his one fit star name, Fernando Torres, but had a last-minute change of heart after being persuaded otherwise by his medical staff.

With the Reds already qualified for the last 32, it led to a turgid and uninspiring night which highlighted the lack of depth in the squad.

Hodgson had initially planned to give Torres pitch time to rediscover his goalscoring touch - goalkeeper Jose Reina was also expected to start but he was left out of the squad altogether - but was forced to watch the entire 90 minutes from the bench instead.

Point secures Reds passage

Liverpool secured top spot in Group K of the Europa League with a 1-1 draw against Steaua Bucharest in Romania but required a helping hand from their rivals after a howler from goalkeeper Jose Reina.

Milan Jovanovic's first-half header was cancelled out when the Reds captain on the night allowed Eder Bonfim's effort to escape his grasp and creep over the line.

A point would have been enough to put Roy Hodgson's side through but Utrecht's 3-3 draw with Napoli ensured they could not be caught at the top of the table with a match still to play.

The Reds boss put his faith in fringe players and reserves having travelled to Romania without eight first-teamers, only three of whom were injured, and he was rewarded by the likes of Jovanovic and Babel.

Manchester City's Super Mario sends them to the next round

Mario Balotelli scored a brace to help Manchester City claim a place in the next stage of the Europa League with a 3-0 win over Salzburg.

And they emphasised their credentials in the process as the double was completed against the Austrian champions, meaning City qualified for the last 32 in February with a game to spare.

Former Inter Milan striker Balotelli, who arrived in the summer for £24million, scored either side of half-time with Adam Johnson also finding the target.

It was almost like a training session for City given their possession and they should have been more than one goal to the good at the interval.

Europa League Manchester City Preview

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini believes the month of December could go a long way to defining his side's season.

The Italian's side host Austrian outfit Salzburg at Eastlands tomorrow with a place in the knockout phase of the Europa League in sight.

It is the start of a hectic schedule for a club anxious to compete in the Champions League next season.

Liverpool 3 - 1 Napoli

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard came to his side's aid once again as his late hat-trick inspired the side to a 3-1 Europa League victory against Napoli which highlighted the gulf in class within the squad.
 
The Reds were deservedly behind to Ezequiel Lavezzi's goal after a dire first-half performance but the England midfielder's introduction at the interval changed the dynamic.

Lech Poznan 3 - 1 Manchester City

Two late goals from Lech Poznan condemned faltering Manchester City to a third straight defeat - 3-1 - and increased the pressure on manager Roberto Mancini.

With the scores locked at 1-1 following efforts from Dimitrije Injac and Emmanuel Adebayor, City's Europa League Group A rivals struck twice in the last five minutes to take the points.

Preview: Lech Poznan v Manchester City

Jose Maria Bakero will take charge of his first game as Lech Poznan coach against big-spending Manchester City in the Europa League on Thursday.

Bakero takes over after Jacek Zielinski was sacked earlier this week due to disappointing results in the Polish league.

Preview: Liverpool v Napoli

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has pledged to field a strong team in Thursday's Europa League clash at home to Napoli as he seeks to take a major step towards qualification for the knockout stages.

The 63-year-old believes four points from their remaining three games - two of which are at home - will be enough for his Group K leaders.

Manchester City v Lech Poznan Preview

Polish football club Lech Poznan comes to town today in a match up of Group A standouts.  Both teams are tied atop the group with 4 points and an identical +2 goal differential.  Both tied Juventus and easily took care of group bottom dweller Salzburg.  22 year old Latvian forward Artjoms Rudnevs is leading the Railwaymen with 3 goals in Europa league action and is leading his squad looking to compete with the prized players of City.  

Traveling in style: Europa Cup edition

Liverpool is playing Napoli today in the Europa League Group Stages.  With Liverpool's recent lack of funds, it is nice to see that one of England's most traditional squads is still part rock star. 

Liverpool 0 Utrecht 0

Liverpool escaped with a goalless draw in their Europa League Group K clash in Utrecht after another disjointed and disappointing performance.
 

Liverpool v Utrecht Preview

FC Utrecht coach Ton du Chatinier admits Liverpool pose far more difficult Europa League opposition than the Celtic team disposed of earlier in the competition.

Manchester City v Juventus Preview

Juventus veteran Alessandro Del Piero expects a tough test against Manchester City in the Europa League tomorrow.

Europa League Action

Manchester City and Liverpool both get their Europa League action underway with matches today. 

Manchester City travels to Austria today to face Austrian Bundesliga opponent SV Salzburg in opening matches for the Europa League crown.  Salzburg is led by 21 year old striker Jakob Jantscher who has 3 goals in 4 games in Austrian Bundesliga competition this year.  He is also a member of the Austrian National Team. 

City backup goaltender Shay Given may get the start today to give the amazing Joe Hart a day of rest after all the work he has had to do to keep City afloat as the new players try to gel with the club.  Emmanuel Adebayor will sit out today with an injury.  On the positive side, Wayne Bridge is expected to see his first action of the year after picking up an ankle injury during the tour of America.

Prediction: Manchester City 2 SV Salzburg 0

Liverpool gets a home match to start Europa League action with a matchup versus Romanian football squad Steaua Bucuresti. 

Strikers Bogdan Stancu and Romeo Surdu have eight of Steaua's 11 league goals between them. Highly-rated 19 year-old midfielder Mihai Radut has started in all seven of Steaua's league games and was awarded his first international cap when Romania called him up in June.

Liverpool will be without Dirk Kuyt (shoulder) and Fabio Aurelio (Achilles) and Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard will most likely sit as well to rest for saturday's match versus Man U.  Expect a similar strategy from Bucuresti to that of Rangers versus Man U.  Play stiff defense and hope to hold on for a 0-0 draw.  Although the Reds have struggled to put a capable offense on the pitch at times, I fully expect them to get that first goal and clamp down defensively to hold on.

Prediction: Liverpool: 1  SV Salzburg 0

Europa Legaue

English Premier League teams: Manchester City, Aston Villa, and Liverpool will be competing in the Europa League this season after finishing fifth, sixth and seventh last season. The qualifying procedure is a home and away series in which the aggregate goal total will qualify for the Europa League.

-Manchester City will begin their attempt at attaining the hardware visiting Romanian Futbol squad FC Timisoara. The first game will be on August 19th at 1:45 PM CST. With the rubber match on August 26 at 1:45 PM CST as well.

-Aston Villa will attempt to secure the hardware with a qualifying match versus Austrian Bundesliga squad Rapid Vienna. The first match will be on August 19th at 11:45 AM CST with the follow up being on August 26th at 1:45 PM CST.

-Liverpool attempts to bring the Europa League Cup home to the Reds with a qualifying match versus Turkish Super League Squad Trabzonspor. The first match will be on August 19th at 1:45 PM CST with the follow up being on August 26th at 1:45 PM CST.