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Just 11 years after their formation, RB Leipzig booked a Champions League semi final meeting with Paris Saint-Germain the Champions League semi final with a 2-1 victory over a disappointing Atletico Madrid.

The Bundesliga side dominated the first half but had to wait until the the 51st minute to take the lead through Dani Olmo. The introduction of Joao Felix rejuvenated Atleti and the Portuguese wonderkid would win and convert a penalty to level things up soon after.

Leipzig would have the last laugh though courtesy of 21-year-old Tyler Adams, whose shot was deflected past Jan Oblak with two minutes left to play.

Here’s 90min’s player ratings on a historic night in Lisbon…

Peter Gulacsi (GK) – 7/10 – His ‘trip’ on Saul in the opening stages was clumsy but went unpunished. Nearly saved Joao Felix’s penalty and made a huge stop in the dying seconds.

Marcel Halstenberg (RB) – 7/10 – Spurned a gilt edged chance early on but bounced back with a composed defensive performance.

Dayot Upamecano (CB) – 9/10 – Completely humiliated Diego Costa with an imperious performance. As well as being spot on defensively he also strided out of defence with confidence. Surely a move to a European giant is on the cards in the future?

Lukas Klostermann (CB) -7/10 – Gave away the penalty but in fairness there was very little he could do. Upamecano dealing with Costa and Atleti’s impotence gave him very little to do.

Angelino (LB) – 8/10 – Drove his side forward well down the left-hand side. Once again showed that he has a role to play at Manchester City next season when his loan expires.

Marcel Sabitzer (CM) – 8/10 – His pinpoint cross helped put Leipzig ahead. It was one of several impressive deliveries from Leipzig’s creative hub. An fine round the corner pass also led to Leipzig’s winner.

Kevin Kampl (CM) – 8/10 – Got through a lot of pressing and shifted to form a back three when his side were in possession. More than that though, he used the ball incredibly well in what was a brilliant all-round performance.

Konrad Leimer (CM) – 8/10 – The pressing machine was absolutely everywhere, forming a double pivot with Kampl when defending and shifting to right-wing back in possession (yes, really).

Christopher Nkunku (RW) – 5/10 – The Frenchman looked bright but struggled badly with decision making in the final third.

Yussuf Poulsen (ST) – 7/10 – Held up the ball nicely and contributed well to his side’s build up play – albeit with some disappointing missteps sprinkled in.

Dani Olmo (LW) -7/10 – Scored to help Leipzig secure the biggest result in their history. Will be disappointed to have been substituted with 10 minutes of normal time to go

Tyler Adams – 7/10 – Barring a big deflection, Adams’ late effort at goal would likely have flown wide. But instead, Stefan Savic got in the way and that, as they say, is all she wrote.

Amadou Haidara – 5/10

Patrik Schick – 6/10

Jan Oblak (GK) – 6/10 – The best goalkeeper in the world could do nothing about either goal and was largely untroubled otherwise.

Kieran Trippier (RB) – 5/10 – Caused a lot of problems by Angelino and Olmo. Offered little going forward in a subdued display.

Stefan Savic (CB) – 7/10 – Received a nasty blow to the head in the first but battled on. Made a few good stops and clearances.

Jose Gimenez (CB) – 7/10 – Will be disappointed to concede two as he largely performed all of his duties well. Kept Poulsen from running in behind well.

Renan Lodi (LB) – 6/10 – His decision to throw himself to the ground when in a promising position in the Leipzig penalty box was incredibly stupid. His dead ball delivery was very good though.

Koke (RM) – 6/10 – A pretty nothing performance from the seasoned Atleti veteran. Did little on the ball and was surprisingly easy to bypass in midfield.

Saul Niguez (CM) – 6/10 – Had a weak penalty appeal turned down in the first half. Offered very little and should have tracked the run of Adams who scored the winner.

Hector Herrera (CM) – 5/10 – Spent the game chasing shadows as Leipzig’s midfield gave him the runaround. Was withdrawn after an hour.

Yannick Carrasco (LM) – 6/10 – His side’s most dangerous attacker in the first half, which isn’t saying much. This early promise fizzled out as the game progressed.

Marcos Llorente (SS) – 5/10 – Screeched like a jackal following a hefty challenge from Upamecano. His only notable contribution in what was a poor performance.

Diego Costa (ST) – 4/10 – One of the striker’s worst ever Champions League knockout performances. He went through his full arsenal of dirty tricks by Upamecano had an answer for everything. It was all a bit embarrassing really.

Joao Felix – 8/10 – Has been criticised throughout the season for failing to live up to his ridiculous price tag, but Portugal’s wonderboy was very, very good when he came on. Won and converted Atleti’s penalty, and looked like the only player capable of stretching the game.

Alvaro Morata – 6/10

Felipe – 6/10

Paris Saint-Germain – somehow – stunned Atalanta with two late, late goals to snatch victory in their Champions League quarter final on Wednesday night.

A missed Neymar sitter aside, it was La Dea who were the better team in the opening period, as Mario Pašalić’s curled finish put them ahead on 26 minutes. It was time for the cavalry to come on in the second – namely Kylian Mbappe – but while the shots on target followed, Atalanta stood firm with some heroic defending and unfaltering determination.

That was until Marquinhos stabbed home on 90 minutes. Then, of all people, Stoke City legend Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting poked home in added time. Drama only the Champions League can produce.

Heartbreak for Atalanta. Ecstasy for PSG. Here are your player ratings.

Marco Sportiello (GK) – 7/10 – Saved everything he could. Could do nothing about either goal.

Rafael Toloi – (CB) – 9/10 – Was dealing with the threat of Sarabia very comfortably, and even when the cavalry came on he was a rock in defence with a carved brick for a head.

Mattia Caldara (CB) – 8/10 – When you shut out a team as free scoring as PSG, you must have done something right. Caldara was calm, composed, superb.

Berat Djimsiti (CB) – 7/10 – Did OK throughout but was taken off 60 minutes in to add fresh legs for the incoming Kylian Mbappe. Made sense.

Hans Hateboer (RWB) – 7/10 – Normally so reliable, the Dutchman was guilty of a few misplaced passes that put his side under unnecessary pressure. Those minor mistakes were frustrating, since he did everything else so well.

Marten de Roon (CM) – 8/10 – A machine. Pressing, hounding, getting back, the lot. He knows his role so well, as if the manager is talking to him via an earpiece. So aware at all times.

Remo Freuler (CM) – 8/10 – As with his midfield partner, Frueler knows where to be at every moment, cutting out passing lanes and shielding the defence.

Robin Gosens (LWB) – 8/10 – One of the best left backs around at the moment. Jurgen Klopp hailed his ‘mentality monsters’, which means Gosens must be a ‘fitness behemoth’. Outstanding stamina.

Papu Gomez (AM) – 9/10 – When you say a player is ‘all over the place’ it tends to imply something unfortunate. Not in the case of Gomez. The Spanish playmaker was picking up space all night, until he was sadly taken off with half an hour to go.

Mario Pašalić (AM) – 8/10 – For the goal alone he deserves big marks, but just as with the rest of the team, Pašalić worked tirelessly in both defence and attack.

Duván Zapata (ST) – 7/10 – His role was more tactical than anything, as the striker was rarely ever found in central areas. He was tasked with covering full-backs and running the channels. Did it very well, mind.

Ruslan Malinovskiy – 6/10

José Luis Palomino – 8/10

Luis Muriel – 6/10

Timothy Castagne – 6/10

Jacopo Da Riva – 6/10

Keylor Navas (GK) – 8/10 – Made a number of good saves throughout that prevented his side going even further behind before the late turnaround. Arguably PSG’s best player on the night.

Thilo Kehrer (RB) – 5/10 – Against the threat of Gosens and Zapata, Kehrer struggled to keep up to the pace and was caught out of possession a few times.

Thiago Silva (CB) – 6/10 – His PSG career lives to fight another day – just about – though the Brazilian seemed laboured throughout the game.

Presnel Kimpembe (CB) – 7/10 – Similar story to his central defensive partner, though Kimpembe played a few more neat forward passes compared to his experienced teammate.

Juan Bernat (LB) – 6/10 – Was lucky to avoid a sending off with Anthony Taylor opting against dishing out a second yellow card. Otherwise, he failed to deal with the high press that Atalanta implemented.

Ander Herrera (CM) – 5/10 – Of the three it was Herrera who forayed forward the most, but his drives into the final third rarely came to much, with Neymar tasked with being the creative force.

Marquinhos (CM) – 6/10 – Was shielding the back four with no intention of bursting forward, but he occupied a similar role to the rest of the midfield three…simply existing. Still, he came up with the vital equaliser.

Idrissa Gueye (CM) – 5/10 – Didn’t do anything necessarily wrong, but likewise didn’t do much right. He passed a few times, never incisive or threatening. Was just, sort of, there.

Pablo Sarabia (RW) – 4/10 – Sarabia needs to hit the weights. Of course strength is not his….strength, but he was shrugged off the ball far too easily on a number of occasions. Very poor.

Mauro Icardi (ST) – 3/10 – We all know Mauro Icardi is a top drawer striker, so why didn’t he show that on Wednesday? Positionally he was all over the shop. Anonymous.

Neymar (LW) – 6/10 – He may have missed an absolute sitter early on, but it was Neymar who was front and centre for PSG throughout the tie, dropping deep to gather possession or drifting wide to affect play. Hate him or love him, he’s one supreme player. Shame he can’t put them away when it counts.

Kylian Mbappe – 8/10

Julian Draxler – 6/10

Leandro Paredes – 6/10

Sergio Rico – 6/10

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting – 7/10 – Who would have thought, eh?

Sevilla booked their place in the semi-finals of the Europa League with a slender 1-0 victory over Wolves on Tuesday night.

The English outfit spurned a glorious chance to open the scoring early on in the opening period, but Raul Jimenez’s penalty was comfortably saved by Yassine Bounou. Julen Lopetegui’s side then made Wolves pay in the closing stages as Lucas Ocampos headed home to gift Sevilla progression into the last four following a tense affair.

Let’s get into some player ratings!

Rui Patricio (GK) – 7/10 – Couldn’t have done anything with the goal and showed off impressive glove work with shots from distance. Rarely tested from inside the area.

Matt Doherty (RWB) – 7/10 – Covered the surges of Reguilon diligently and passed on inward movement of Ocampos cleverly. Examples of fantastic back-post recovering in first-half from fierce Navas deliveries. Unable to offer a threat going the other way, though.

Willy Boly (CB) – 8/10 – Dealt with the crossing threat of Sevilla superbly through supreme aerial ability. Wolves’ standout centre-half.

Conor Coady (CB) – 6/10 – Read the game nicely throughout but had a pretty simple task as central centre-back in remarkably deep defensive line.

Romain Saiss (CB) – 5/10 – Reckless with a challenge on Suso which saw him booked early in the second period and looked the most vulnerable piece in a stout Wolves back five. Caught out by some smart Ocampos movement just after his booking which led to a promising opening for the Spaniards.

Ruben Vinagre (LWB) – 7/10 – Dynamic and offered plenty of thrust going forward when given the licence to roam. Wriggled smartly out of tight spaces with sharp footwork and had difficult duel-threat to contend with down Sevilla’s right.

Leander Dendoncker (CM) – 6/10 – Impressive with the tough role handed to him by Nuno; was able to offer a threat in both boxes and performed defensive function diligently.

Ruben Neves (CM) – 6/10 – Struggled to get a foothold in proceedings as he so often does – with Nuno’s remarkably deep defensive line certainly not helping – but performed defensive duties in Wolves’ low block astutely.

Joao Moutinho (CM) – 6/10 – A quiet evening for the classy Portugal international. Struggled to supply his front two in the limited opportunities granted to him but like his midfield partners, did a fine job positionally and out of possession overall.

Adama Traore (ST) – 6/10 – The destructive Spaniard has been utilised as part of a strike duo with mixed success thus far, but after he burst in behind Diego Carlos with frightening ease before winning his side a penalty in the opening stages, it looked like the return to the experiment would pay off. It wasn’t to be, however, and he switched to the right flank with 20 minutes remaining before being hauled off with ten to go.

Raul Jimenez (ST) – 5/10 – Looked bright early amid poor penalty miss. Rarely got a chance against Sevilla’s two impressive centre-halves with Wolves struggling to support their front two in transition before their switch to a 3-4-3.

Pedro Neto – 6/10

Diogo Jota – 5/10

Yassine Bounou (GK) – 7/10 – Saved comfortably from Jimenez’s spot-kick which kept the score at 0-0 early and was his only contribution of any note.

Jesus Navas (RB) – 7/10 – Supplied plenty of crosses which forced Boly and Doherty into last-ditch defensive work. Caused problems with forays into final third. Little to write home about defensively.

Jules Kounde (CB) – 8/10 – Often matched-up one-v-one with Raul Jimenez and there’s no doubting the exciting 21-year-old came out on top. Showed impressive recovery speed, athleticism and composed one-v-one defending throughout. Dominant.

Diego Carlos (CB) – 7/10 – Early struggles against Adama emphasised by his reckless penalty giveaway which he, fortunately, got away with. Showed class as the game wore on.

Sergio Reguilon (LB) – 5/10 – The typically impressive Spaniard didn’t have much of a say in this one at all.

Fernando (DM) – 7/10 – Played an underrated role at the base of midfield. Dropped into the back three when his side attempted to build-up to aid progression and facilitate the advanced movement of full-backs. Astute positioning ensured protection against transitions.

Joan Jordan (CM) – 7/10 – Undoubtedly the unsung hero in this Sevilla side. Provided plenty of dynamism from midfield with surges from deeper positions and was tidy circulating possession.

Ever Banega (CM) – 8/10 – The metronome in Julen Lopetegui’s side and he dictated the majority of the contest. A commanding display rewarded with the assist for Ocampos’ winner.

Suso (RW) – 8/10 – Roamed freely in Wolves’ third and drifted infield to take up dangerous positions in the half-spaces and central areas. Was also spotted on the opposite flank at times as well. Combined effectively with Navas through majestic technique and was a menace throughout.

Youssef En-Nesyri (ST) – 6/10 – A difficult proposition facing up against three Wolves centre-halves but stuck at his task well. Often dropped between the English outfit’s compact lines to contribute to the build-up phase and was able to work a couple of opportunities for himself without converting.

Lucas Ocampos (LW) – 8/10 – Similar to Suso with smart movement into the half-spaces. Offered a route of progression via this zone and displayed talent on occasions in possession. Glanced his header home brilliantly for the game’s winner in the closing stages.

Franco Vazquez – 6/10

Luuk De Jong – 6/10

Munir – N/A

Barcelona have received two bids for French centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo, but they plan on taking their time to find the best possible offer before letting him go.

The 20-year-old spent the second half of the season on loan with Schalke, who had negotiated an option to buy Todibo permanently but eventually declined to trigger it.

The defender has now returned to Camp Nou, but is well aware that his time at the club is probably up. Barcelona are already looking for new centre-backs this summer, with Manchester City’s Eric García high on their wish list, and according to Mundo Deportivo, the Spanish side are also searching for buyers for Todibo.

The Frenchman is living in Barcelona again but sees his future away from the club, although the Catalans are in no rush to sanction his exit just yet.

They have received two formal offers for his signature this summer, but a decision will not be made until Barcelona have a clearer idea of where their pursuit of a new centre-back stands.

The names of those suitors are unknown, although the majority of the speculation surrounding Todibo’s future has involved Everton and Milan, who are both rumoured to see the Frenchman as an ideal signing this summer.

There’s also a mention of Leicester City; the suggestion is that those links come from local papers in England, but they actually come from Spanish outlet Sport (via Sport Witness). Ah, the fun of the rumour mill.

Todibo is expected to cost close to £22.5m, which would give Barcelona a significant profit on the six-figure fee they paid Toulouse to sign him in January 2019.

He is expected to be replaced by Manchester City’s García, who has rejected a new contract at the Etihad Stadium and could be sold this summer after entering the final year of his current deal.

Thanks to football’s COVID-19 enforced break, the 2019/20 Europa League has been going on for an eternity.

It’s been so endless, the draw for the qualifying stages of next season’s competition is has already taken place. Wolves’ run to the quarter-finals started more than a year ago.

Before we find out who will come out on top when the mighty Lincoln Red Imps of Gibraltar take on the even mightier Prishtina of Kosovo, the winners of the current competition need to be crowned.

Everything is set to be decided in a mini, World Cup style tournament in Germany next week and 90min has had a go at predicting how everything is going to turn out.

Kicking off proceedings on Monday is Manchester United vs Copenhagen in Cologne. This reeks of a 2009 Champions League group stage tie but with both clubs’ stock falling considerably in recent times, they’ll have to settle for a meeting in Europe’s second-rate club competition.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side will be desperate to win the competition and are likely to pull out all the stops against the Danish giants. It won’t be an easy task but a full strength Red Devils side should find a way to progress.

Next up, it’s the tie of the round – Inter vs Bayer Leverkusen. Two sides teeming with attacking talent, although you get the feeling this will be the best chance Peter Bosz’s side get to lift some European silverware in some time, with Kai Havertz’s exit looming. It’s going to be tight but after ending the Serie A season in flying form, Antonio Conte’s side are favourites.

From the standout game of the quarter-finals to the ugly duckling, Shakhtar Donetsk vs Basel is unlikely to attract much of a television audience outside of Ukraine and Switzerland. Shakhtar once again won their domestic league at a canter this season while their opponents faltered, eventually finishing third.

As well as leading the form table, the Ukrainian side also have a far superior squad and should dispatch of FCB fairly comfortably. You never know with one-off games though.

Finally, Wolves – who started their Europa League campaign against Belfast-based Crusaders over a year ago – face the tough task of a game against competition specialists Sevilla. The La Liga side have won the Europa League a record five times but Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have all the tools required to best them on the night.

Manchester United vs Copenhagen – Manchester United progress

Inter vs Bayer Leverkusen – Inter progress

Shakhtar Donetsk vs Basel – Shakhtar Donetsk progress

Wolves vs Sevilla – Wolves progress

Here we are then. The hypothetical final four. Things are really starting to hypothetically heat up!

Kicking things off on Sunday 16 August, it’s a mouth watering all-Premier League tie that is bound to make you finally care about a competition that you’ve been ignoring all season. In the red corner, the clear favourites United. In the amber corner, a Wolves team running on fumes as their never-ending 2019/20 campaign finally draws to a close.

You know what? This Wolves squad is a special bunch. Who are we to bet against them completing a couple more miracles before their limbs fall off due to fatigue? Expect die-hard Liverpool fan Conor Coady to play a key part in the Red Devils’ undoing. You know, just to add insult to injury.

Who will they be facing in the final, we hear you ask?

Well, as much as Inter love to bottle a good chance at winning some silverware, as much as Antonio Conte’s record in Europe is embarrassingly poor and as much as Shakhtar’s team of Brazilian, Football Manager regens will pose a tough test, the Nerazzurri will probably progress.

Manchester United vs Wolves – Wolves progress

Inter vs Shakhtar Donetsk – Inter progress

To recap then, we’re backing Inter to face Wolves in the 2020 Europa League in Cologne on 21 August.

It’s bound to be a fascinating tactical battle. In fact, we’re already picturing the football hipsters salivating at the thought of Nuno vs Conte – the battle of the back threes. Spine-tingling stuff indeed.

In terms of the result, it’s hard to look past Inter but Wolves could definitely cause them some problems. The thought of facing Adama Traore is bound to give Ashley Young nightmares and the battle for supremacy between the four wing-backs in general will be key.

Despite this, we’re still backing Inter to get the job done. The silverware should be enough for Conte to stave off the threat of redundancy for another season and successfully challenge a dwindling Juventus for the Scudetto during the 2020/21 campaign.

One hundred and sixty-five days after the first leg in west London, Bayern Munich were looking to put their Champions League tie with Chelsea to bed.

For a team who have not lost a single game in 2020, there was inevitably a swagger and confidence that they could dispatch the Blues – and sure enough, after just 24 minutes, it was game over – after Robert Lewandowski’s 9,138th goal of the season and Ivan Perišić’s cool finish, served to him on a plate by woeful Chelsea defending.

To add a cherry on top of some very sweet icing, Corentin Tolisso came off the bench to add a third for Bayern – smashing the ball past a helpless Willy Caballero – before Lewandowski sealed the deal with a powerful header; his second of the game, fourth goal involvement of the night and millionth reminder of how brilliant he is.

Simply put, Bayern were unstoppable on Saturday – though nothing less was expected from Hansi Flick’s relentless winning machine. Die Roten completely blew Chelsea away, with their performance over two legs utterly flawless and fantastic.

A wonderful team display was spearheaded by Lewandowski, who made it a remarkable 53 goals – not the aforementioned 9,138 alluded to before – for the season. The Bayern talisman has scored 13 of those in the Champions League, with no player in the competition’s history netting more at this stage of the competition.

Every single one of FCB’s goals was a result of the Pole’s instinctive play, whether he was powering it into the back of the net with his head or teeing up his teammates with an impressive display of passing. He is the striker that any team would want to lead the line, and Bayern are certainly reaping the rewards of having him at their disposal.

While the tie was won in attack, Lewandowski was not the only source of inspiraton. Perišić and Thomas Müller were superb all night, linking up nicely and creating numerous chances throughout the game. Leon Goretzka put in another outstanding shift in the heart of midfield, pulling the strings and single-handedly winning the midfield battle.

Alphonso Davies, meanwhile, has been a joy to watch all season, and he showed why everybody is talking about him with another impressive performance. Whether it was his explosive pace down the flank – completely neutralising the Blues’ youthful attack – or creating a string of chances, the Canadian could do no wrong under the European lights.

Every piece of the Bayern puzzle has been perfectly in place for months, and Saturday’s rout was just another formality for this magnificent side. They have grown in strength throughout their European journey, from their 7-2 thrashing of Tottenham to the blowing away of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and in Bavaria.

Bayern deserve nothing less than a place in the quarter-finals, and a flight down to Lisbon to conclude this unique yet exciting season of European football.

Barcelona are the next challengers for Flick’s men, in what will be a fascinating clash in the Portuguese capital. Barça have their hopes rested on Lionel Messi, but as an overall attacking threat, it is the Spanish giants who have more to fear.

This is arguably the greatest Bayern side we have seen in years, which is some feat considering they have racked up eight consecutive Bundesliga titles. They are undoubtedly favourites to go on and win the Champions League, in what would be an unprecedented treble – as well as a stunning debut season as head coach for Flick.

With the attacking threats of Lewandowski and Müller, the explosiveness of Davies and the dominance of Kimmich and Goretzka, Bayern are the team to beat, not to mention the ones to dread. They have cleared yet another hurdle en route to European glory, but their meeting with Barcelona will be the toughest yet.

Can Bayern do it? Of course they can.

This has been a funny season for Juventus.

They won yet another Serie A title which, on paper, would have you thinking it was a good year – but the 2019/20 campaign was anything but a success for Juventus, who crashed out of the Champions League despite a 2-1 win over Lyon on Friday night.

Questions have been asked of manager Maurizio Sarri and his tactics since he arrived. His Sarri-ball system took Italy by storm with Napoli, but failed to have the same impact at Chelsea, leading to an implicit assumption that it would only work in Italy.

It hasn’t worked this time around. It really hasn’t worked, and now Juventus must make a decision over whether Sarri stays or goes.

The elimination at the hands of Lyon was the same old story for Juventus. I Bianconeri enjoyed a lot of possession but just didn’t do anything. The passing was just so slow and lethargic, and the only time Juve looked like threatening was when Cristiano Ronaldo or Federico Bernardeschi brought out something individually brilliant.

The first goal shouldn’t have come about, as Memphis Depay was punished for being unable to detach his arms, and the second was a wonderful long-range strike from Ronaldo. There was very little team skill or tactic to either.

That has been the criticism of Sarri. One year and one Serie A title later, fans still can’t figure out what he actually brings to the club. Juventus’ positive moments don’t come from his tactics, but rather the sheer brilliance of the individual parts of the team.

Their superiority over the majority of Serie A helped mask over their frailties. Juventus might not have deserved all their victories, but they were just too good to lose. However, that’s not how things work in the Champions League. If you can’t hang, you’ll usually know about it.

Juventus are supposed to be better than Lyon, who won’t even be in the Champions League next year unless they win the whole thing, yet the French side rarely looked genuinely threatened. Lyon set up resolutely and allowed Juve all the possession they wanted, safe if the knowledge that they probably wouldn’t do much. And they didn’t.

It means Sarri’s tumultuous debut season has come to a nightmare end. Juventus failed to win the Coppa Italia, they only won the Serie A title by a comparatively pathetic one point, and now there’s no Champions League glory either.

The league title victory alone is just not good enough from a Juventus coach at this point, at a club who are shelling out the best part of twice as much as their rivals on wages. The club will know it, the fans will know it and Sarri will know it. Sacking your boss after he leads you to a title seems a bit rash on paper, but it’s all about how you win at Juventus, and Sarri hasn’t got the job done in that regard.

How do Juventus proceed from here? Sarri will already be looking for the answer to that question, but Juve chiefs may not be prepared to listen to him anymore.

Wolves booked a Europa League quarter final meeting with Sevilla with a 1-0 win over Olympiacos, helping them progress 2-1 on aggregate on Thursday night.

The Premier League side got off to the perfect start when Raul Jimenez converted from the penalty spot after Daniel Podence was barged over the box. Olympiacos midfielder Mady Camara then thought he had equalised, only for his goal to be ruled out for offside following a VAR review.

After the break, Wolves looked nervy with the visitors going close on more than one occasion. Mainly thanks to the goalkeeping heroics of Rui Patricio, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side managed to hold on and they will now take on Sevilla on Tuesday night for a place in the final four.

Here’s all the player ratings from a nervy night at Molineux…

Rui Patricio (GK) – 8/10 – Made a brilliant save in the first half, tipping a fierce Konstantinos Tsimikas drive around the post. He then made an even better one with ten minutes left to play – pretty much winning his side the tie.

Matt Doherty (RWB) – 6/10 – Was engaged in a fascinating a battle with Tsimikas down the right-hand side and the Greek defender had the beating of him on several occasions.

Willy Boly (CB) – 6/10 – A few defensive missteps that luckily went unpunished. He could have scored if Ruben Neves’ rebound had fallen to him more kindly.

Conor Coady (CB) – 7/10 – Coady’s never ending season continued and he showed no signs of fatigue, mopping up nicely and making some vital interceptions.

Romain Saiss (CB) – 7/10 – Solid for most of the game and distributed the ball well.

Jonny (LWB) – 6/10 – Forced to withdraw early in the first half due to injury.

Ruben Neves (CM) – 6/10 – Was fortunate that Camara’s goal was ruled out as he was culpable, failing to track his opposite number’s run. Used the ball quite well when he got it though.

Joao Moutinho (CM) – 6/10 – A very similar performance to his midfield partner and compatriot. Often allowed Olympiacos to break the lines too easily but sprayed some tasty passes.

Adama Traore (RW) – 6/10 – Was uncharacteristically quiet during the hour he spent on the pitch. When he did turn it on though, he was impossible to handle – as per usual.

Raul Jimenez (ST) – 7/10 – I wanted to give him 11/10 for trying that ridiculous rabona in the first half, but apparently, “it would bring the sacred institution of player ratings into disrepute”. In all seriousness, the Mexican showed nerves of steels to convert that winning penalty.

Daniel Podence (LW) – 7/10 – A constant menace against his former club. He won the penalty for Wolves and could have had at least one goal of his own if he had brought his shooting boots. Also missed a golden opportunity to give Diogo Jota a tap in just before being substituted.

Ruben Vinagre – 7/10 – Marshalled the left hand side steadily after Jonny’s withdrawal due to injury.

Diogo Jota – 5/10 – Missed a gilt edged chance to settle the game in the closing stages.

Leander Dendoncker – 5/10 – Was brought on to add greater solidity. That did not happen…

Manchester United find themselves in a better position than most this summer. Of course, the coronavirus has impacted their finances, as with everyone else, but in terms of bargaining power in the transfer window, they’re in a relatively comfortable position.

This is something seen clearly with their pursuit of Jadon Sancho, who looks set to cost the club no less than £120m.

In attack there is clear need to reinforce. The players they have in those positions are among the finest in the country, but they can’t be asked to play 60-odd games per season without at least some rotation. Don’t forget – I know it’s hard to – but Mason Greenwood is only 18 years old.

There is depth in this squad, no doubt, but is it the right depth? That’s another kettle of fish.

Some areas, such as central midfield, looks fairly well stocked at present. Nemanja Matic signed a new deal, Fred was arguably the club’s best midfielder this season prior to Bruno Fernandes entering the fray, while Scott McTominay continues to show signs of promise with each passing game, and Paul Pogba is very obviously world class. In central midfield, they’ve got five solid options. That’s not bad. Not bad at all.

Yet some of the fringe players in other areas don’t look up to scratch. At right-back, Timothy Fosu-Mensah doesn’t scream ‘Manchester United quality’. He had some decent touches against LASK, but ‘some decent touches’ against the Austrian side – no disrespect to them – isn’t the level required.

Then there is Diogo Dalot, who remains at the club on the periphery of the first team. Aaron Wan-Bissaka has the position nailed down, and he hasn’t been given the minutes to prove his worth.

Across the defence there is Brandon Williams. Of all the first team players, you can argue he looks closest to challenging for a starting role. The local lad put in another good shift at Old Trafford – in a drab affair – but is growing in confidence and is on course to have a fruitful career with his boyhood club. A new four-year deal is evidence of the confidence in him.

In central defence, however, there are some concerns. Again, numbers wise, United are fine. Quality wise, there are concerns. Injuries meant Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s hands were tied for Wednesday night, with Eric Bailly forced to come in to the team. Victor Lindelof has blown hot and cold, but isn’t likely to go anywhere anytime soon.

Behind them? Yeah, not great. Chris Smalling is coming back but could be sold for a profit. Phil Jones is, well, Phil Jones. Marcos Rojo needs shifting. Axel Tuanzebe can only last so long before seeking regular football elsewhere. Solskjaer has players, but they’re not the best ones.

In forward areas, Juan Mata, for all his great service and willingness, is no longer the player he once was. He looked off the pace against LASK, struggled with his delivery and couldn’t affect proceedings in the right way. A squad player for now, but an upgrade is needed.

Jesse Lingard is nowhere near the player we saw head to Russia with England two years ago. His touch is poor, his positioning off. For all his effort, he simply isn’t United quality anymore. Against a LASK side with nothing to lose he got a goal when played clean through, but otherwise he was muscled off the ball or caught in possession. Tried his best but his days look numbered at the club.

The same applies for Andreas Pereira. He was given a run in the team this season in the absence of Paul Pogba, yet you could list the above to describe Lingard and just replace the name. Try and try some more, but for what United are looking to achieve, he’s not the man to help them do so.

Ask yourself this question: do either have what it takes for the Premier League, let alone the Champions League? No, at least not at this club, anyway.

Coming on to the actual match itself, from a general perspective, it was very, very poor. In a sense you’d think that given the substantial lead United held over their opponents there would be a certain freedom to their play. Not the case.

Laboured, uninterested and ineffective, everything they tried to muster up in the final third trickled into the goalkeeper’s hands or went out for a goal kick. It wasn’t great. Sorry, I’ll rephrase: it was dire.

Yet, there is an air of, ‘yeah, so what?’ to the display.

Hardly any use over asserting yourself and risking injury in a match you’ve no reason to go full pelt for. If there were fans there then the case would be stronger, but they aren’t in the stands. Worst comes to worst, just turn the channel over.

United may have got themselves to this stage of the Europa League with a similar side to what we saw at Old Trafford, but the fact is this: a rotated Man Utd side currently isn’t a good Man Utd side. Reinforcements are needed to ensure that that isn’t the case for much longer.

Joe Bryan scored twice in extra-time as Fulham overcame Brentford 2-1 at Wembley to earn promotion back into the Premier League.

The Cottagers started the brighter as Josh Onomah forced David Raya into a pair of smart saves before Brentford grew into the contest before the break without troubling Marek Rodak.

Chances came few and far between in the second period as Scott Parker’s masterplan continued to stifle Thomas Frank’s side, though overall it was a contest bereft of any significant quality.

However, a majestic Bryan brace in extra-time eventually fired an impressive Fulham back into the top flight at the first time of asking.

Thus, let’s get into some player ratings.

David Raya (GK) – 5/10 – Superb for the most part but ultimately, it was a pair of Raya errors which led to the only goal of the game.

Henrik Dalsgaard (RB) – 7/10 – Typically steady and reliable. Scored a late headed consolation.

Pontus Jansson (CB) – 6/10 – There wasn’t anything wrong with the Brentford skipper’s display, but it’s yet more play-off heartbreak for the Swede.

Ethan Pinnock (CB) – 7/10 – A star performer since the restart, Pinnock continued his fine form to round off the campaign with a stout showing at Wembley. He couldn’t have done much more against a Fulham side that constantly probed.

Rico Henry (LB) – 6/10 – Provided Thomas Frank with a reliable outlet down the left which facilitated the movement of Benrahma inside. Wasn’t mightily effective going forward despite his advanced positioning but was nonetheless a threat and defended soundly throughout.

Mathias Jensen (CM) – 4/10 – Often dragged out of position by Fulham’s superb double pivot which left more space for playmaker Onomah to wreak havoc between the lines. Earned a yellow card for his troubles late on as well.

Christian Norgaard (CM) – 7/10 – The shining light in a poor Brentford midfield. Astute positionally and efficient in possession, this was a fine showing from the ever-impressive holding midfielder.

Joshua Dasilva (CM) – 5/10 – Started slowly but grew into proceedings as the game wore on as he was able to receive possession in more advanced areas. Quiet overall, though.

Bryan Mbeumo (RW) – 5/10 – A bitterly disappointing showing from the talented Frenchman. Offered very little when the Bees were able to progress into the final third and was hauled off just after the hour mark.

Ollie Watkins (ST) – 6/10 – Looked isolated for much of the 120 minutes and struggled one-on-one against the imperious Michael Hector. Also failed to combine on occasions and struggled to take advantage of a few opportunities in transition. Certainly grew into the contest as the game wore on but it wasn’t enough.

Said Benrahma (LW) – 6/10 – Caused problems in the first period with his movements into the half-space but rarely found himself with the ball his feet. Showed glimpses of quality after the break but a quiet showing overall.

Emiliano – 5/10

Sergi Canos – 6/10

Halil Dervisoglu – 6/10

Tariqe Fosu – 6/10

Marek Rodak (GK) – 7/10 – Rarely tested but did well to deny Watkins from the edge of the area with a strong palm over the bar. Assured with everything that was asked of him.

Denis Odoi (RB) – 6/10 – The more conservative of the Fulham full-backs due to the threat of Benrahma but stuck to his defensive task diligently and offered the occasional foray into the final third when necessary.

Michael Hector (CB) – 8/10 – Continues to have a profound effect on this Fulham defence. Certainly got the better of Watkins throughout via some physical, no-nonsense centre-back play and stout one-v-one defending. Also denied the Bees hitman brilliantly in the opening stages of extra-time.

Tim Ream (CB) – 6/10 – Impressive defensively as he read the game superbly but was mightily frustrating in possession. Often failed to find the mark over longer distances.

Joe Bryan (LB) – 9/10 – It wasn’t quite the dynamic display we’ve grown accustomed to seeing from Bryan this season, but he simply stole the show in extra time; showing tremendous innovation to bag the game’s opener before securing Fulham’s promotion with a superbly taken second in the dying embers.

Harrison Reed (CM) – 8/10 – Part of a mightily impressive Fulham double pivot. Reed offered bite out of possession and showed off immense technique with the ball at his feet, serving as the metronome in Parker’s side. Constantly demanded the ball and constantly retained possession.

Tom Cairney (CM) – 8/10 – Similar to Reed in that he served as a metronomic figure by persistently offering angles and opening up passing lanes through the first phase. Circulated possession efficiently as well and showed off capacity to play vertically. Fulham’s pivot were able to manoeuvre past Brentford’s aggressive midfield man-marking with ease.

Neeskens Kebano (RM) – 7/10 – The Cottagers’ semi-final hero was bright and certainly offered some attacking thrust. He caused Henry issues one-on-one but often failed to find the mark with his delivery. Substituted with ten minutes remaining.

Josh Onomah (AM) – 8/10 – Buoyed by his semi-final magic, Onomah enjoyed a fine evening at Wembley. He flourished in the number ten role, taking up smart positions in between the lines and constantly posing dilemmas to the Brentford defence with determined surges with the ball. A superb showing.

Bobby Reid (LM) – 5/10 – Rarely involved and spurned the most promising opening of the second period by placing his effort wide from inside the box. Replaced by Aleksandar Mitrovic in the dying embers of normal time.

Aboubakar Kamara (ST) – 7/10 – Had the tough task of filling the void left by Golden Boot victor Mitrovic but performed his function in Parker’s impressive tactical set-up admirably. Provided plenty of energy and was key in the Cottagers’ press which disrupted the Bees’ build-up regularly – especially early on.

Anthony Knockaert – 7/10

Aleksandar Mitrovic – 6/10

Ivan Cavaleiro – 5/10

Cyrus Christie – 6/10

Maxime Le Merchand – 6/10