FOOTBALL NEWS FROM EUROPA LEAGUE
Bobadilla grabs a treble for Young Boys
Raul Bobadilla continued his recent hot streak as he fired a hat-trick to revive Young Boys' Europa League hopes with a stunning 3-1 home win over Udinese.
Bobadilla had the Swiss side cruising with goals after four and 72 minutes but Udinese, second-best throughout, threatened a comeback when Andrea Coda headed in moments later.
But Bobadilla eased any home concerns when he coolly converted an 82nd-minute penalty to grab his hat-trick and an eighth goal in his past nine games.
More importantly the Argentinian's goals secured Young Boys' first points in Group A and put them back in contention to progress.
Udinese were making their first competitive trip to Switzerland but they were soon behind as Gonzalo Zarate played a clever ball behind their defence that Bobadilla ran on to before firing home from 12 yards.
Udinese initially responded to the shock of going behind with a flurry of forward moves, but they came to nothing.
Diego Fabbrini's ambitious overhead kick flew over before Math Ranegie's 20-yard shot was parried away by Marco Wolfli at the near post.
Davide Faraoni, who was handed a start on his 21st birthday, was then off target when well placed but that was as good as it got for the hosts before half-time.
Udinese boss Francesco Guidolin responded by making a pair of changes at the break as he hauled off Ranegie and Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu. Veteran striker Antonio Di Natale and Roberto Pereyra were sent on but their arrivals provided little impetus.
Fabbrini headed over 10 minutes after the break but Bobadilla remained a headache for the away defence as he shot just wide on the hour.
And the Argentinian grabbed his second of the game on 72 minutes as this time Alexander Farnerud played the killer pass for the striker to continue his scoring run.
Again Udinese responded after conceding but this time they found a goal on 75 minutes as Coda got on the end of Pablo Armero's corner to head in from six yards.
But any hopes of an away recovery were dashed eight minutes from the end when Maurizio Domizzi fouled Alexander Gonzalez in the area and Bobadilla tucked home to claim the match ball.
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Raul Bobadilla continued his recent hot streak as he fired a hat-trick to revive Young Boys' Europa League hopes with a stunning 3-1 home win over Udinese.Bobadilla had the Swiss side cruising with goals after four and 72 minutes but Udinese, second-best throughout, threatened a comeback when Andrea Coda headed in moments later.
But Bobadilla eased any home concerns when he coolly converted an 82nd-minute penalty to grab his hat-trick and an eighth goal in his past nine games.
More importantly the Argentinian's goals secured Young Boys' first points in Group A and put them back in contention to progress.
Udinese were making their first competitive trip to Switzerland but they were soon behind as Gonzalo Zarate played a clever ball behind their defence that Bobadilla ran on to before firing home from 12 yards.
Udinese initially responded to the shock of going behind with a flurry of forward moves, but they came to nothing.
Diego Fabbrini's ambitious overhead kick flew over before Math Ranegie's 20-yard shot was parried away by Marco Wolfli at the near post.
Davide Faraoni, who was handed a start on his 21st birthday, was then off target when well placed but that was as good as it got for the hosts before half-time.
Udinese boss Francesco Guidolin responded by making a pair of changes at the break as he hauled off Ranegie and Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu. Veteran striker Antonio Di Natale and Roberto Pereyra were sent on but their arrivals provided little impetus.
Fabbrini headed over 10 minutes after the break but Bobadilla remained a headache for the away defence as he shot just wide on the hour.
And the Argentinian grabbed his second of the game on 72 minutes as this time Alexander Farnerud played the killer pass for the striker to continue his scoring run.
Again Udinese responded after conceding but this time they found a goal on 75 minutes as Coda got on the end of Pablo Armero's corner to head in from six yards.
But any hopes of an away recovery were dashed eight minutes from the end when Maurizio Domizzi fouled Alexander Gonzalez in the area and Bobadilla tucked home to claim the match ball.