🖐️ things to look out for in Thursday’s European action 🇪🇺 | OneFootball

After another thrilling matchday of Champions League action concluded, attention now turns to the Europa and Conference League competitions on Thursday.

We look at the five biggest talking points to watch out for.

A must-win for different reasons

One of the most intriguing contests of this season’s Europa League takes place in Group B when continental newcomers Brighton take on the prestigious powerhouse that is Ajax.

However, the current edition of the Dutch giants pale in comparison to their exploits of the past.

Coach Maurice Steijn was finally dismissed on Monday after a horror start to the season, which most recently saw them lose 4-3 to Utrecht, while they are yet to pick up a victory in European action.

The same is also true of Brighton, although they will be buoyed both by Ajax’s struggles and their impressive comeback win to claim a point in Marseille last time out.

Victory is vital for both in terms of progression, but in addition, it would be a memorable first for the Seagulls (and what a scalp to claim), while Ajax simply need to stop the bleeding after an unacceptable run of form.

Perfection on the line

Going into matchday three, seven teams in the Europa League boast 100% records and interestingly, four of them face off on Thursday.

Roma, fresh from a late win over Monza last weekend that again landed coach José Mourinho in hot water for his celebrations, take on Slavia Prague, while high-flying Bayer Leverkusen take on Qarabag.

The Giallorossi were beaten finalists in this competition last season and are going about a return to the latter stages in the right way so far.

Leverkusen were defeated by Roma en route to that game but the Bundesliga table-toppers have become appointment viewing under Xabi Alonso and look well set to maintain their perfect records and enjoy deep runs once more.

West Ham, Liverpool and Atalanta are the only other sides to have won both their first two fixtures.

Villa out to get off the bottom

Few would have predicted Aston Villa would sit bottom of Conference League Group A after two games.

But while their situation is far from concerning, as every side currently has three points, it is a surprising position given their superb Premier League form.

It took a late winner from John McGinn to get them off the mark, and now that they have, AZ Alkmaar are next in Unai Emery’s sights as he plots another long European run.

They will have to look much more like their domestic selves than they have so far, but at their best, there are few better sides in this season’s competition.

New face aims to restore Rangers’ pride

Rangers suffered humiliation last time out in the Europa League as Aris Limassol registered a first-ever win in major European competition at their expense.

Ranked 263 places below a side that reached the final of this competition just two years ago, it marked another low point in what has been a disappointing start to the season for the Gers.

It is one that ultimately cost Michael Beale his job, with the Englishman replaced by Philippe Clement in the Ibrox hot seat.

He started well domestically with a 4-0 win over Hibs but key now for the ex-Monaco man is saving some face on the continental front after the loss in Cyprus.

Can Kosovo keep breaking new ground?

One of the most enjoyable underdog stories of recent seasons has been the rise of Kosovar club football.

Ballkani reached the Conference League group stage last year to become the first side from their nation to do so.

They performed admirably there too, gaining a first point against Cluj before enjoying a thrilling 4-3 win away to Sivasspor which was followed up by an even greater scalp this season with victory over 24-time Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb.

That represented a first-ever home win in European competition, and next up to visit Pristina are Astana, who are yet to pick up a point.

Could a groundbreaking qualification be on the cards?