The Europa League is UEFA’s second European competition that’s for sure. The Champions League has always been the money spinning European competition with the old UEFA Cup as the poor relation.
Change
The change from UEFA Cup to Europa League has made European footballs second competition slightly more lucrative for the teams taking part.
With the change of format came more games which means more television revenue and more money through gate receipts.
Top clubs
Some really big clubs are currently in the competition competing for the trophy. The likes of Benfica, Villarreal, Hamburg, Everton, Valencia and Ajax are looking to progress into the knockout stages. Its hard to predict who will win the competition because the competition will completely change when the third place Champions League sides drop down into the competition.
Giants drop in
Liverpool are probably the biggest name to have failed to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League so far. However there could be some other European giants joining them in the Europa League. Bayern Munich and Juventus go head to head at the Stadio Olimpico in a crucial clash. Bayern need to go to Turin and win or they will drop down. Juventus only need a point to ensure Champions League knockout stage qualification.
It would be a major shock if Bayern failed to qualify for the knockout stages but the Serie A side are going to be a tough team to beat on their home turf. Bayern are also struggling in the Bundesliga and a Champions League exit would increase the pressure on under-fire coach Louis Van Gaal. Despite their struggles the Bavarians would still be a major force in the Europa League.
Inter the Europa League
As crazy as it seems Italian champions Inter could miss out on qualification for the knockout stages. The perennial Italian champions host Russian side Rubin Kazan at the San Siro. The two sides are on the same points going into the clash.
In usual seasons Inter hosting a Russian side would be a foregone conclusion. However this is not a usual European season. The Russians have already went to European champions Barcelona and won 2-1. Rubin would have to claim a victory at the San Siro to progress but as Rubin have already proved at the Camp Nou, anything can happen when they are involved.
In even more unlikely circumstances European champions Barcelona could be eliminated with a defeat against Dinamo Kiev. Barcelona would be far the biggest name to drop down into the Europa League but that’s just fantasy as I cant see Kiev beating Messi and co.
In Group C AC Milan visit Swiss side FC Zurich knowing that any slip up could allow Marseille to qualify for the knockout stages. Marseille host big spending Real Madrid at the Stade Velodrome. The French side need a victory and a Milan defeat in Switzerland to avoid Europa League football. Milan should be too strong for the Swiss and Marseille are likely to be playing Europa League in the near future.
Mickey Mouse cup
All these top teams know that the rewards of Champions League football are far greater than the Europa League. I know Liverpool fans have called the Europa League a ‘Mickey Mouse’ cup in the past. Now that they are in the competition it has suddenly became a more important competition.
How times have changed that Liverpool are now looking forward to challenging for the Europa League trophy, rather than insulting the competition. Good luck Liverpool you’ll soon find out that the teams in the Europa League are not just ‘Mickey Mouse’ teams but some are top class teams capable of breathtaking football.
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