Analysis of the Europa League (part one)
- James M.
- Dec 23, 2016
- 4 min read
Previously known as the UEFA Cup, the UEFA Europa offers no less excitement than the other elite competitions.
The change in format in the competition led to its rebranding after the incorporation of the UEFA Intertoto Cup in 2009 as well as an expanded group stage, an enlarged competition design and a different qualifying criterion.
The occurrence was a reflection of what happened in 1999 when UEFA merged the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup with the UEFA Cup. Back to this year’s draw; the road to Friends Arena in Solna, Sweden, would be bumpy and hard as signified by the resultant draw.
The draw held in Nyon offered a chance for the re-emergence of continental rivalry as well as shaping some gigantic battle lines; familiar foes and traditional adversaries will mug each other off for the chance to become Europe’s best.
Since its inception, 27 clubs have won the prestigious trophy with 12 of these having won it on several occasions.
In recent years, there has been a noticeable surge by Spanish teams in the Europa League.
Sevilla have won the title on most occasions with Juventus and Liverpool a close second.
Sevilla won the tournament last season although they cannot defend the trophy for the reason that they have already reached the knockout stage of the 2016/17 UEFA Champions League.
The 2016/17 Europa League is the eighth season since the tournament was renamed from UEFA Cup, and in total is the 46th season of Europe’s minor club football tournament.
The winner of this year’s tournament will qualify for the 2017/18 UEFA Champions League, and consequently earn a right to play against the winner of the 2016/17 UEFA Champions League in the 2017 UEFA Super Cup.
Football has a way of re-uniting friends and an endless knack for pitting family members against each other; the Europa League draw held in Nyon was no different as it pitted Paul Pogba against his brother Florentin Pogba in the round of 32.
Manchester United will face Ligue 1’s Saint-Etienne in a match that promises to underline the huge gaps in talent between Pogba and his brother Florentin.
Jose Mourinho will better not underrate the French outfit as we are in a very competitive stage of the tournament.
Besides, winning the Europa League might just be a safe ticket to participating in the Champions League next year!
While the Europa League may not hog all the limelight as the Champions League, its passion and skill remain unmatched.
That can’t get truer than the match between Manchester United and Saint-Ettiene!
Tottenham Hotspurs were paired with Gent – Pochettino very well understand that Belgian outfits have lately conjured resurgence in the competition and therefore underestimating their prowess would be fatal.
On the other hand, should Pochettino’s lads dispatch Gent with a cricket score, Brussels may have some ideas of putting blockades on the UK with regards to hastening the Brexit issue.
Come on Tottenham, give us some spectacle and help Auntie Theresa May to speed up Brexit!
Borussia Monchengladbach vs. Fiorentina will rekindle the memories of Adolf Hitler friendship with Mussolini.
While both Fiorentina and Borussia Monchengladbach may not be outfits that resonated with the Fascism practiced by the two dictators, the clash will offer an aspect of re-union between the Italians and the Germans.
Fenerbahce will have to slug it out with Kuban Krasnodar with each team expecting a safe passage to the round of 16.
The Turks pride themselves as the epitome of the Ottoman Empire as exemplified by their ferocious style of play.
With the likes of Martin Škrtel, Moussa Sow, Robin van Persie and Fernandão, it is not hard to see why.
Fenerbahce should be wary of the Russian outfit as it has some infamous ways of dealing with whatever they deem not suitable for them – case in point being the Nikola Nikezic assault.
Nikezic, a Montenegro striker, was part of Kuban Krasnodar until he was thuggishly descended on by some goons.
Kuban Krasnodar wanted to repudiate Nikezic’s contract with an aim to replace him in the team.
However, the striker would hear none of it and therefore he refused to sign an agreement that would have paved the way for the dissolution of his contract.
Nikezic was summoned in the club’s office and before he knew it, two members with alleged ties to the Russian mafia beat him silly until he signed the agreement.
Nikezic would then file a complaint with FIFA who with the help of FIFPro and the Russian Football Union compelled Kuban Krasnodar to compensate Nikezic.
Fenerbahce should be forewarned! Another Russian team by the name FC Rostov will be entertaining Sparta Prague.
This is one fixture that has the hallmarks of defining the aggressiveness behind the Iron Curtain.
Occurrence of gory images would be an understatement when these two sides clash in two-legged tie.
The Dutch Eredivisie will be well represented in the round of 32 as AZ Alkmaar will entertain Olympique Lyon from the French Ligue 1.
As a modest club, AZ Alkmaar doesn’t attract as much fanfare and that could be disaster for Olympique Lyon.
Why? Because it would mean that the French outfit will most likely underestimate their opponents.
It doesn’t help matters when you realize that Olympique Lyon have been blowing hot and cold in the Ligue 1.
However, AZ Alkmaar may as well be having shadows of failure written in their prospects – Louis van Gaal was once their manager!
Besiktas and Hapoel Beer-Sheva will mug each other for a chance to progress into the next stage of the competition.
This tie will most likely be played behind the background of a Jewish-Muslim rivalry - Hapoel Beer-Sheva is from Israel while Besiktas is based in Turkey!
Such a match would most likely witness endless and brutal tackles laden with several red cards.
In reality, expect shouts of “Free Palestine” from the Besiktas brigade during both legs of the match.
Greece may be feeling the heat of the economic recession but don’t expect any form of bankruptcy on the field when PAOK Thessaloniki play against Schalke 04.
The Greek team was formed by individuals who had fled from Constantinople in the Ottoman Empire (present-day Istanbul in Turkey).
As a result, PAOK may have an idea or two about how to literally chase their enemies and so Schalke 04 should be worried!
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