Europa League

[legendz]

Interesting proposals (http://www.espnfc.com/blog/marcotti-musings/62/post/2424677/europa-league-could-be-better-heres-how-writes-gab-marcotti)
Some good ideas in fairness. Giving the Europa League winner a Champions League spot has been a great idea. Last night's Europa League pairing worked out brilliantly - two clubs who just missed out on Champions League qualification from their respective domestic leagues. It was all to play for.

Regionalising the Europa League is not a bad idea along with keeping the 8 Champions League drop-outs drawn together. The Europa League could be regionalised into three regions of 4 groups.

Region 1 - 4 groups of teams (16 teams). After knock-out rounds, 1 team from that region making the semi-finals.
Region 2 - 4 groups of teams (16 teams). After knock-out rounds, 1 team from that region making the semi-finals.
Region 3 - 4 groups of teams (16 teams). After knock-out rounds, 1 team from that region making the semi-finals.
Champions League 3rd placed teams (8 teams). After knock-out rounds, 1 team from the 8 CL 3rd placed teams making the semi-finals.

The semi-finalists should be guaranteed a EL group spot in the following year. The winner of the competition as of this year continuing to enter the Champions League.

[Charlie Darwin]

Now there's a CL spot up for the winner, they should drop the nonsense of having eliminated CL teams parachute in the knockout rounds.

[legendz]

Now there's a CL spot up for the winner, they should drop the nonsense of having eliminated CL teams parachute in the knockout rounds.
Do you want them to keep the Round of 32 or reduce it to a Round of 16? In some ways I would favour only the 4 best 3rd placed teams in the CL dropping in. I would also give the 4 best 3rd placed teams in the EL a place in the Round of 32. They could then draw 12 EL group winners against 12 EL group runners-up and draw four 3rd placed CL teams against four 3rd placed EL teams.

[Charlie Darwin]

Do you want them to keep the Round of 32 or reduce it to a Round of 16? In some ways I would favour only the 4 best 3rd placed teams in the CL dropping in. I would also give the 4 best 3rd placed teams in the EL a place in the Round of 32. They could then draw 12 EL group winners against 12 EL group runners-up and draw four 3rd placed CL teams against four 3rd placed EL teams.
Round of 16 - it's a double-handicap for EL teams as they have to play an extra round of games which either dilutes the quality in Europe or affects their domestic form.

[legendz]

Round of 16 - it's a double-handicap for EL teams as they have to play an extra round of games which either dilutes the quality in Europe or affects their domestic form.
OK. Next question...
Are you keeping the 12 groups and having 12 group winners and 4 runners-up heading into the Round of 16?

[Charlie Darwin]

OK. Next question...
Are you keeping the 12 groups and having 12 group winners and 4 runners-up heading into the Round of 16?
I'm not as sure about that because I like how 48 teams are accommodated as is but I don't like systems that exclude runners-up.

[DeLorean]

Impressive result for Aberdeen last night in Croatia. A tad embarrassing for West Ham only taking a slender lead to Malta and two respectable results in Slovakia for Linfield and UCD. Shamrock Rovers' opposition are a punmaster's dream, too easy in fact so I'll leave it off.

https://scontent-ams2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/t31.0-8/11114082_972539142813312_6699482658147621612_o.jpg

[DeLorean]

I see Sampdoria lost 4-0 'at home' the Serbian team FK Vojvodina last week. Sampdoria only qualified for the competition because their city rivals, Genoa, hadn't registered an a stadium fitting of UEFA's criteria. Sampdoria and Genoa share the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, scene of Ireland's penalty shoot-out with Romania in 1990, but Sampdoria had registered alternative venues also, and qualified despite finishing below Genoa in Serie A. Walter Zenga is their new manager, having replaced AC Milan bound Sinisa Mihajlovic, and is immediately under severe pressure after the defeat.

[DeLorean]

Nick Powell confirming he's every bit the stereotype modern day footballer who just doesn't care!

Manchester United: Computer games or watching your team? (http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/35612647)

He could at least have the manners to lie and pretend to give a sh!t!

[DeLorean]

They [Basel] are muck this season. No quality at all in the team. But not the end of the world [being eliminated from the Champions League] considering the final of the Europa is in Basel this season so thats a big incentive

The dream is still alive... just about! Very interesting draw in store today, the quality seems higher than usual this season. I suppose Sparta Prague, Anderlecht, Braga and Fenerbahce might be the preferred teams to get (in that order)? It's an open draw with no country protection.



Athletic Bilbao (Spain)
Sevilla (Spain)


Basel (Switzerland)
Bayer Leverkusen (Germany)


Borussia Dortmund (Germany)
Braga (Portugal)


Fenerbahce (Turkey)
Lazio (Italy)


Liverpool (England)
Manchester United (England)


Sevilla (Spain)
Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine)


Sparta Prague (Czech Republic)
Tottenham Hotspur (England)


Valencia (Spain)
Villarreal (Spain)

[geysir]

Benno is right about Basel, they are a poor reflection of just 2 years ago, player drain I presume. The decline in their standard is shocking, yet they are still running away with the swiss league.

[DeLorean]

Yikes!


Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) v Anderlecht (BEL)

Basel (SUI) v Sevilla (ESP)

Villarreal (ESP) v Leverkusen (GER)

Athletic (ESP) v Valencia (ESP)

Liverpool (ENG) v Man. United (ENG)

Sparta Praha (CZE) v Lazio (ITA)

Dortmund (GER) v Tottenham (ENG)

Fenerbahçe (TUR) v Braga (POR)

[KK77]

Can't wait.

[DeLorean]

Me neither, have to fancy Sevilla though.

[OwlsFan]

Athletic vs Valencia also an interesting tie.

[DeLorean]

Super draw really with Dortmund Spurs and Leverkusen Villarreal as well. Second Legs are on St. Patrick's Day, there'll be lots of self proclaimed 'Mancs' and 'Scousers' around the towns of Ireland that evening.

[KK77]

Athletic vs Valencia also an interesting tie.

Yes has potential!

[geysir]

Valencia are a soft touch these days :)
3 Spanish teams to get through.
If I had to pick two to watch --> Villarreal v Leverkusen and Dortmund v Spurs
Liverpool fans must be counting their blessings, they save a few bob with the short away trip and have a great chance to shove Man U noses down deep.

[bennocelt]

The dream is still alive... just about! Very interesting draw in store today, the quality seems higher than usual this season. I suppose Sparta Prague, Anderlecht, Braga and Fenerbahce might be the preferred teams to get (in that order)? It's an open draw with no country protection.

Ha yeah just about, last minute winner. Didnt go to the game, was actually playing 5 a side football just across from the stadium! :D

As bad as the Swiss league is, Basel actually tend to get a bigger crowd in than these Europa games.

They have no chance against Seville.

[geysir]

Valencia v Ath Bilbao was a tea time treat, complete with a brilliant headed 2nd goal for Valencia and a sublime flick assist for Bilbao's tie winner.
Neville's pendulum swung from unrestrained fist pumping ecstasy, to a fist pumping fit of madness.
highlights (http://www.replayfoot.com/valencia-vs-athletic-bilbao-17-03-2016/)

[KK77]

Boom!

[DeLorean]

Sporting Braga (Portugal) v Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine)

Villarreal (Spain) v Sparta Prague (Czech Republic)

Athletic Bilbao (Spain) v Sevilla (Spain)

Borussia Dortmund (Germany) v Liverpool (England)

The Europa League quarter-finals will be played on 7 and 14 April.

[BonnieShels]

Sporting Braga (Portugal) v Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine)

Villarreal (Spain) v Sparta Prague (Czech Republic)

Athletic Bilbao (Spain) v Sevilla (Spain)

Borussia Dortmund (Germany) v Liverpool (England)

The Europa League quarter-finals will be played on 7 and 14 April.

Quelle Suprise eh?!!!

One thing though, at least BVB v LFC will be on TV now.

[DeLorean]

BT show all the Europa League games anyway.

[BonnieShels]

They can show it all they want. I don't have it.

I have to make do with freebie Setanta Ireland on UPC.

[BonnieShels]

That pass into Reus was a thing of such beauty.

[DeLorean]

The Liverpool supporters will get serious mileage out of that (i.e. eternity). Some comeback. Sevilla's Europa love affair rolls on.

[geysir]

I missed the EL football last evening. Of all the games to miss, Seville v Bilbao hurts the most.
How did Bilbao pull that tie back to a penalty shootout and then tragedy strikes.

Well done to Liverpool and all that but i've had my quota of camera shots of Klopp's agony and ecstasy on the sidelines and it's disrespectful to the lingering aura and legend of Stevie G, for Liverpool to have a glorious comeback european night like this without him being involved and so soon after his departure.

[KK77]

Giddy up! The magic of football!

[ForzaHoop]

Liverpool's comeback to victory is everything that is great about soccer ! Amazing occasion and result

[OwlsFan]

Turned over from the end of Red Rock to the game and always sensed something might happen when it was 1-2 but not 4-3. I have seldom seen a game played at such breakneck speed. The energy levels of the Liverpool players was something to behold. Of course they looked second best for much of the game but oh to be a Liverpool supporter on a night like that. Nice to see Ian Rush singing "You'll Never Walk Alone" at the end.

[DeLorean]

always sensed something might happen when it was 1-2

So you sensed something might happen for 9 minutes? :)

I didn't see the game, just the goals afterwards. I'd say Anfield hasn't rocked like that in a while, the Manchester City 3-2 game when they 'won the league' maybe.

[KK77]

Turned over from the end of Red Rock to the game and always sensed something might happen when it was 1-2 but not 4-3. I have seldom seen a game played at such breakneck speed. The energy levels of the Liverpool players was something to behold. Of course they looked second best for much of the game but oh to be a Liverpool supporter on a night like that. Nice to see Ian Rush singing "You'll Never Walk Alone" at the end.

I thought it was gone at 3-1 to be honest. Felt like the sucker punch. Unreal though the beauty of football.

[DeLorean]

Shakhtar v Sevilla
Villarreal v Liverpool

[OwlsFan]

I thought it was gone at 3-1 to be honest. Felt like the sucker punch. Unreal though the beauty of football.

Yes, at 1-2 there was still hope. It looked over at 1-3 but fair dues to Liverpool, they still continued to harry and chase and the heads never went down.

Mind you Gary Breen doesn't seem to understand the psyche of fans. He thought the Dortmund fans were privileged (or words to that effect) to be there on a night like that. Then the camera went on their shell shocked faces - I'd say they wished to be anywhere but there. Could a supporter's pain be any worse than losing a 3 goal lead (other than a 4 goal lead of course!).

[SkStu]

Could a supporter's pain be any worse than losing a 3 goal lead (other than a 4 goal lead of course!).

Any excuse to post this...(but especially to pick me up after the horror show Friday night).

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6A5S4KorpE0

[Stuttgart88]

Btw if any of you still don't know yet. Here's the result of the semi-final draw from awhile ago.

Shakhtar v Sevilla
Villarreal v Liverpool

https://www.facebook.com/SBOBET.Official/posts/1079842578745144I was at Villarreal's training facility last week and was talking to the academy staff. They reckon Liverpool's experience will be too great for them.

[DeLorean]

Sounds like the famous atmosphere has beaten them already :)

I'd give them a very good chance. I saw the second half of their game against Real Madrid the other night. They offered nothing in attack but looked fairly well drilled and compact. I'd say they could frustrate Liverpool and they'll get chances themselves.

[DeLorean]

Now that was a drab game, it made Man City v Real look like a classic. Steve McManaman was out of control in the aftermath on BT. He really needs to try to separate being a Liverpool fan from his role as a pundit, at least some little bit. He kept saying how frustrated he was that Liverpool 'left this game after them' and all they had to do was 'go for it'. Obviously Klopp could have done more to try to win the game, play a striker for one thing, but whether it would have made a difference or not who knows. It's not as if they showed any signs whatsoever of being able to carve Villarreal open if they just had that intent.

They kept talking about how they expected a lot more from Villarreal but I'm not sure why exactly. They played exactly the same as they looked in the half I saw against Real Madrid, well organised but fairly toothless in attack. Only seven teams in La Liga have scored less goals this season. A 0-0 draw would have been a fairer result I think, seeing as that's what both teams had settled for from an early stage, but what a lovely goal it was to win it. A nice through ball and what a first touch from Suarez. Great composure as well to pick out his teammate for the open goal, everything Moreno lacked moments earlier. It was all about the first touch though which I'm not even sure the BT lads mentioned, Hargreaves may have in commentary alright but there should definitely have been more of a fuss about it.

Villarreal being 4th in La Liga is no big deal anyway, according to McManaman, because they're miles behind third. That's true Steve, 20 points behind Real Madrid, but don't forget that Liverpool are 21 points behind Leicester City.

[Stuttgart88]

Super goal, sweet first touch to take it towards goal.

I think Villarreal are well drilled but lacking a goal threat. Not sure that'll be enough at Anfield but the late goal last night was important. If they can nick a goal at Anfield they'll have a great chance. Allen's miss was very bad.

[KK77]

Super goal, sweet first touch to take it towards goal.

I think Villarreal are well drilled but lacking a goal threat. Not sure that'll be enough at Anfield but the late goal last night was important. If they can nick a goal at Anfield they'll have a great chance. Allen's miss was very bad.

Yes should have scored. Missed a good chance at Southampton as well last month.

[DeLorean]

Super goal, sweet first touch to take it towards goal.

I think Villarreal are well drilled but lacking a goal threat. Not sure that'll be enough at Anfield but the late goal last night was important. If they can nick a goal at Anfield they'll have a great chance. Allen's miss was very bad.

Yeah that's about the size of it. The goal last night was a major bonus for them because it would have been difficult to see them going through otherwise.

It's set up exactly like the Bayern Atletico tie. Obviously the scoreline is the same but the two away teams are defensively strong and not overly creative, but will probably get chances as the two home sides are suspect defensively. The major difference is that we know Atletico have the stomach to really dig in even if the momentum swings, it remains to be seen if Villarreal do too.

[geysir]

Yeah that's about the size of it. The goal last night was a major bonus for them because it would have been difficult to see them going through otherwise.

It's set up exactly like the Bayern Atletico tie. Obviously the scoreline is the same but the two away teams are defensively strong and not overly creative, but will probably get chances as the two home sides are suspect defensively. The major difference is that we know Atletico have the stomach to really dig in even if the momentum swings, it remains to be seen if Villarreal do too.
I think you are underestimating Villarreal in this tie in relation to what Liverpool have to offer.
One major difference is Bravo who was underwhelming in Spain but who will probably take centre stage in the 2nd leg. Villarreal are a better team than Liverpool and can play much better than their 1st leg indicated. As it stands now, they have a huge advantage despite playing within themselves at home.

[DeLorean]

How have I underestimated them though? I'd give them a massive chance, as I did when the draw was made. I thought Bravo looked decent in the 1st Leg, haven't seen too much of him otherwise. I think my comparison to Atletico was reasonable given the similarity of their situations. Dortmund are a better side than Liverpool too but couldn't stomach the momentum swing. I just think it remains to be seen if Villarreal can if it goes that way. They haven't done much to earn my trust just yet, unlike Atletico.

[Charlie Darwin]

I'd agree with geysir that Villarreal are the better team, but Liverpool probably have a little more individual creativity and ability to create something from nothing. I'd still expect Villarreal to do it, but they'll do so keeping it tight.

[geysir]

How have I underestimated them though? I'd give them a massive chance, as I did when the draw was made. I thought Bravo looked decent in the 1st Leg, haven't seen too much of him otherwise. I think my comparison to Atletico was reasonable given the similarity of their situations. Dortmund are a better side than Liverpool too but couldn't stomach the momentum swing. I just think it remains to be seen if Villarreal can if it goes that way. They haven't done much to earn my trust just yet, unlike Atletico.
Villarreal are very sound defensively, they have a very good away record, they have the stomach for games like these.

I didn't watch Liverpool win the 2nd leg against Dortmund, I can't possibly comment on that oddity :)

[Stuttgart88]

I just can't see Villarreal doing it. Logic and sound analysis say they will, but Liverpool can be a force of nature at home in Europe.

They shouldn't even be in the competition though after Sakho.

[DeLorean]

Villarreal are very sound defensively

No doubt.


they have a very good away record

They've won six away games out of eighteen in Spain, 24 points out of a possible 54 and have a minus GD. I wouldn't call that "very good". They have only lost six also, so in that sense it's not terrible.


they have the stomach for games like these.

I didn't say they don't have the stomach for these kind of games, as we don't know yet what kind of a game it'll be. They could very easily stop Liverpool playing, frustrate them and hit them with a sucker punch. I was talking about the possibility of a shift in momentum in the tie, how would they react? I'm not bigging Liverpool up, they're very average, but I don't see what Villarreal have done in the past that makes it clear they'd handle that situation well. They may or they may not, I hope they do.


I didn't watch Liverpool win the 2nd leg against Dortmund, I can't possibly comment on that oddity :)

I didn't either, but they conceded three goals in the final twenty minutes. I think it's safe to assume they didn't handle the momentum swing very well.

[geysir]

They've won six away games out of eighteen in Spain, 24 points out of a possible 54 and have a minus GD. I wouldn't call that "very good". They have only lost six also, so in that sense it's not terrible.
I meant to refer to games in the EL only. The league in Spain is just choc full of quality teams.

With an all Spanish CL final, Villarreal are already with 1.85 feet straight into next season's CL group stage, therefore this EL thingy is just bonus territory for them, whereas Liverpool fans are showing desperation, working themselves into a frenzy outside Anfield Rd. desperate for the club to salvage some solace after a poor season.

[Charlie Darwin]

geysir exposed as a charlatan yet again.