UEFA Europa League: Union Berlin snatch late win over Malmo
Robin Knoche's late winner secured Bundesliga leaders Union Berlin a vital 1-0 victory over Sweden's Malmo FF in UEFA Europa League Group D on Thursday.
Manchester United may be favourites to win the 2017 UEFA Europa League final, but their midfielder Juan Mata feels that the Dutch side Ajax are no pushovers and will give the Red Devils a stiff test in Stockholm on Wednesday.
“I don’t need to insist on how tough it will be to beat Ajax. They’ve been playing a dazzling and offensive football with bold, very young footballers,” Mata wrote on his personal blog.
Mata added, “That football style has taken them to the final and they have plenty of confidence. I hope we can impose our experience to win. Nobody is more excited than us about this final, regardless of the age of the players."
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The diminutive midfielder won the Europa League with previous club Chelsea at the Amsterdam Arena, which coincidentally is the home ground of Ajax.
And the 29-year-old Spaniard feels the time has come to complete United’s trophy cabinet, with the only trophy that is missing from the Red Devils’ impressive collection.
“When I think about the final in Stockholm, great memories come to my mind from the Amsterdam Arena, where I was lucky to win this nice competition some time ago. Manchester United has never won it; I hope we can bring the trophy back here and add it to the museum’s trophy cabinet to complete such a great collection.”
Champions League football is on the line for the Red Devils and the importance isn't lost on Mata, who added, “The prize is double because, as you know, winning the competition will give you a spot in next season’s Champions League, another big goal for us. In short, being able to live another European final is a privilege, and I hope it has a good outcome for us so we can start the summer break in the best possible way.”
“I hope we can enjoy a very special night this coming Wednesday… Only a few of you will be at the stadium, but we know that the rest of you will be supporting from distance,” wrote Mata as he signed off.
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