Olley's Observations: Europa League Round of 32

Vertonghen showed his class ahead of possible move to Premier League.

Jan Vertonghen got his three yesses last night after a fine audition in front of Judges Harry Redknapp, Roberto Mancini and Newcastle scouts, who were all present at Old Trafford.

The Belgian, who admitted he wants a move away from Ajax in the summer, put in a defensive master class.

His last-ditch clearances, cutting out goal-scoring chances from Dimitar Berbatov and Danny Welbeck, single-handedly kept his side in the tie.

The 24-year-old also showed strength—a quality needed for any Premier League defender—and dealt with the threat of Berbatov superbly.

However, it was Vertonghen’s positional play that really stood out.  

His defensive partner Toby Alderweireld was sometimes caught pressing too high up, exposing gaps in the Ajax defence. But Vertonghen’s reading of the game dug his fellow countrymen out of trouble time and time again.

The Ajax captain, however, was at fault for Manchester United’s goal. Attempting a risky pass on the halfway line and out of position, Ji-Sung Park intercepted, giving Berbatov the chance to thread a beautifully weighted pass into Javier Hernandez’s path where the Mexican had so ruthlessly snuffed out the space Vertonghen had left.

His mistake, though, did not deter him from playing his way out from the back. A wonderfully cultured centre-half, Vertonghen continued to burst forward with the ball and dictated play from defence.

A certainty for the Premier League next season.

Stoke can’t do it on a dry, sunny evening in Spain.

It was disappointing to see Tony Pulis field a much-weakened Stoke City side in a game of such importance.

A trip to the Mestalla against a Valenica side sitting third in La Liga was an opportunity for Pulis’ men to show how far they had come, but taking a squad of just 15 and leaving the likes of Jonathan Walters and Ryan Shawcross behind meant they never really fully tested Unai Emery’s side.

In a game that the Potters trailed 1-0 in the first leg, a result at the Mestalla was always going to be difficult, and when Kenwyne Jones twice missed the chance to put Stoke a goal up, they were in for a long night.

Admittedly, they lost only by a single goal on the night and Valencia did not play to their true potential, but across the two legs, football was the winner.

And yes, a Spanish team can do it on a wet and windy evening at the Britannia.

Manchester United let a lead slip in Europe...not for the first time.

Letting leads slip in Europe at home has become a commonplace for Manchester United in Europe this season. There was the 3-3 with Basel, and the 2-2 with Benfica at Old Trafford in the Champions League.

And the second leg with Ajax in the Europa League was no different. An early Javier Hernandez goal looked like Sir Alex Ferguson’s men were in for a comfortable evening.

But a goal from Aras Ozbiliz before halftime put doubts in the minds of the OId Trafford faithful.

If it was not for a world-class reaction save from David de Gea to deny a Siem De Jong header, United could have been 2-1 down with over 15 minutes to play.

De Gea though couldn’t do anything to stop Toby Alderweireld’s header, yet fortunately, it was too little too late for Ajax.

As much as a fortress as Old Trafford is, United will have to ensure leads aren’t lost in the latter stages of the competition, because as the quality of the opposition increases, so will the punishment.

Porto play pretty possession football without an end product.

Selling Falcao for €40 million was a great piece of business for Porto. But not replacing him is proving costly.

Against Manchester City on Wednesday night, Vitor Pereira’s side enjoyed 69 percent possession, yet found themselves on the end of a 4-0 hiding.

Their football won a lot of praise, but they did not have that clinical finisher needed to overturn a 2-1 first leg deficit.

It was evident for all to see that Hulk is not so incredible either.

The Brazilian sorely misses his partner-in-crime, and for all the hype, is nowhere near justifying his €80-odd million price tag.

Porto do, however, have a fine midfield. Joao Moutinho kept things ticking over for Porto, receiving the ball deeper, whilst Fernando kept his discipline as a holding midfielder. The return of Lucho Gonzalez is also an added bonus.

Porto’s passing game saw them attempt 638 passes with an accuracy rate of 89 percent. Impressive.

But football is not won on these statistics. It is won on the number of goals scored.

Spanish sides dominate the Europa League.

With three sides in the last 16, Spain is the best represented in the Europa League.

Valencia beat Stoke, Atletico Madrid dumped out Lazio whilst Athletic Bilbao sneaked past Lokomotiv Moscow.

But the round of 16 will test whether the Spanish can keep three sides in the competition.

Bilbao face Manchester United in a tie that pits two legendary managers, Marcelo Bielsa and Sir Alex Ferguson, against each other.

There will also be interest from other Premier League clubs as Bilbao’s big three—Fernando Llorente, Javi Martinez and Iker Munian, come to town.

Valencia meanwhile face Dutch table-toppers PSV Eindhoven in what is sure to be a pulsating two legs.

Both teams enjoy playing keep ball, and with PSV’s attacking talent, including Dries Mertens and Tim Matavz, the Valencia defence will once again come under the microscope.

Atletico Madrid look to have the easiest tie of all their Spanish compatriots.

Diego Simeone’s men have a Besiktas side who only just got through their round of 32 tie with Braga. Although, the Black Eagles intimating İnönü Stadium will be hard place to navigate a result.

It would be surprising to see all three advance, but the quality of Spanish football has been, and will be, there for all to see.