World News – UK – EUROPA LEAGUE Spurs, Milan, Sociedad have no room for error – THISDAYLIVE

In an unusually crowded and crowded season, the Europa League, which resumes tonight with 26 group matches, presents clubs struggling with domestic fame a tricky balancing act.

The English, Italian and Spanish leaders Tottenham, Real Sociedad and AC Milan as well as the Bundesliga high-fliers Bayer Leverkusen have already slipped in Europe’s second-rate competition and cannot afford any further mistakes.

But the demands of a shortened season mean their managers are walking two tightrope walks at the same time.

Real Sociedad, who were beaten by Napoli at home on Matchday 2, lost veteran David Silva to a hamstring injury on Sunday before traveling to Group F leaders AZ Alkmaar.

But even if they travel to the Netherlands, they have to plan the crucial game on Sunday against Villarreal, who are third in LaLiga.

Real Sociedad’s only consolation is that Villarreal will have to cross the Mediterranean twice when they visit second-placed Maccabi Tel-Aviv in Group I..

Tottenham only lead Group J because of the goal difference in head-to-head games ahead of Royal Antwerp and LASK Linz. They too lost an important veteran when center-back Toby Alderweireld suffered a groin injury against Manchester City on Saturday.

Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho got stuck when he changed his squad in Antwerp and lost. However, a visit to third place at Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday allows him to rest at home against the winless Ludogorets.

That could give Gareth Bale a chance to score his first Europa League goal since March 2013, when he kicked off when Spurs eliminated Inter Milan in the round of 16.

AC Milan are traveling to Lille not only to claim a victory that would put them at the top of Group H, but also to get revenge. Lille won 3-0 on the last day of the match at San Siro. The 23-year-old Turk Yusuf Yazici scored his second hat trick in this year’s competition.

Milan have to do without the talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who sustained a hamstring injury in the Serie A win against Napoli on Sunday.

Bayer Leverkusen, one point behind Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga and second in the unpredictable Group C, welcomes Hapoel Beer-Sheva, who is penultimate.

Only four teams, Villarreal, Leicester, Arsenal and Hoffenheim, have won all three games. Everyone can secure a top 2 result and give themselves the chance to rest the players in the final two rounds.

Arsenal travel to Norway to face Molde, who is second in Group B and who, after Willian, has been seriously injured from a muscle problem. Bukaya Sako competed against Leeds on Sunday and joined Thomas Partey among the wounded. Mohamed Elneny and Sead Kolasinac missed this game after testing positive for Covid-19.

« Every team will face challenges with the number of games we have. We will set up a team to take part in competitions. ”

Group leader Hoffenheim visits Slovan Liberec, while Leicester plays in group G on second-placed Braga.

Hoffenheim striker Munas Dabbur can carve a tiny niche in the record books with one goal. The Israel international has scored 18 goals in the group stage, with former Athletic Bilbao striker Aritz Aduriz being the most affected.

And in this hectic season, the competition delivers goals. At 3. Matchday was 93, which broke the old record of 81 from 2010.

UEFA Europa League, Real Sociedad, La Liga, David Silva, Tottenham Hotspur F. . C.. .