Rose's Bournemouth extend winning run to seven as German players shine in Europe
Bournemouth won their seventh straight game, Brighton have yet to concede in UEFA competition, and several German players impressed after missing out on Germany's squad.
Bournemouth make it seven in a row
German coaches Marco Rose and Fabian Hürzeler both enjoyed success with their English clubs on Thursday. Bournemouth extended their winning streak to seven games with a 3-1 comeback win at Sparta Prague. The visitors had missed a first-half penalty, but they came back to beat their ten-man hosts.
USMNT international Tyler Adams scored in a European competition for the first time since his goal for RB Leipzig against Atlético Madrid in the 2019/20 Champions League quarter-finals. Bournemouth are one of three teams with a perfect Europa League record after four matchdays, alongside Benfica and Ferencváros. Ferencváros beat AC Milan 2-0 at San Siro.
Brighton remain unbeaten and unconceded
Of the 108 clubs taking part in UEFA competitions, Brighton are the only one yet to concede a goal. They beat Getafe in Spain thanks to a solitary strike from Malick Yalcouye. Hürzeler's side sit fifth in the early Europa League standings.
In the Conference League, Lugano, Panathinaikos, Twente and Monaco all won their first three games.
German players impress after missing out on squad
Several German players performed well on the European stage after being left out of Jürgen Klopp's squad, which was announced earlier on Thursday. Germany U21 international Paris Brunner had a goal ruled out for offside by VAR in Monaco's 2-0 win over FC Nordsjælland. The 20-year-old had been considered a candidate for his first call-up to the senior team.
Mika Baur and Nick Woltemade also helped their clubs to notable European wins. Baur's Celtic recorded their first Europa League points with an entertaining 3-2 win over Beşiktaş. Woltemade started again for Juventus, who returned home with three points after a 2-1 win over AZ Alkmaar. The 24-year-old has been involved in five direct goals in the competition, including an assist for former Eintracht Frankfurt striker Randal Kolo Muani.
Marten Winkler also scored in back-to-back Europa League games for Anderlecht. Kjell Wätjen had a more difficult night. The FC Midtjylland midfielder, who played for VfL Bochum last season, was sent off in the first half, and his club lost 6-1 at home to Ajax. Ajax were without Julian Brandt because of an injury.