The Champions of Europe Are in Europa
In two months, and after some substantial transfer window noise, the soccer world will turn its attention to the UEFA Champions League knockout rounds. Sixteen teams will battle to determine the European club continental title for 2011-12. There will be massive speculation, a crowded Barcelona bandwagon, and probably a preview from SportyMcBloggin. (At least for the round, the random draws make it tough to predict any further. If Real and Barca meet in the round of eight all bets are off anyway)
Much like a NCAA Bowl game featuring the Big East, few people will be discussing Europe's other tournament: Europa League (formerly the UEFA Cup, plus about five other titles). Many major clubs claim the competition is a waste of energy and resources that should be used to gain access to the following year's Champions League. Europa League is generally a showcase for the lesser continental leagues, and for the weaker teams of greater leagues. (Well, until this year)
A funny thing happened on the way to the Champions League knockout rounds, Manchester United, a finalist last year and English title holder, was eliminated after the group stage. Following them in exile were rivals, and one of the most expensive rosters in Europe, Manchester City. Portuguese champions Porto, German champions Borussia Dortmund, French champions Lille, Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk, Greek champions Olympiacos, and Dutch champions Ajax all tumbled from the pinnacle of European club soccer as well. On the grandest stage in the club world only three champions from the top ten European leagues remain.
Much like a NCAA Bowl game featuring the Big East, few people will be discussing Europe's other tournament: Europa League (formerly the UEFA Cup, plus about five other titles). Many major clubs claim the competition is a waste of energy and resources that should be used to gain access to the following year's Champions League. Europa League is generally a showcase for the lesser continental leagues, and for the weaker teams of greater leagues. (Well, until this year)
A funny thing happened on the way to the Champions League knockout rounds, Manchester United, a finalist last year and English title holder, was eliminated after the group stage. Following them in exile were rivals, and one of the most expensive rosters in Europe, Manchester City. Portuguese champions Porto, German champions Borussia Dortmund, French champions Lille, Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk, Greek champions Olympiacos, and Dutch champions Ajax all tumbled from the pinnacle of European club soccer as well. On the grandest stage in the club world only three champions from the top ten European leagues remain.
The eliminations have a special importance to the Europa League. The clubs which finished third out of four teams in their group are only eliminated from the Champions League, not European competition. Those eight teams join the Europa League at the beginning of its knockout rounds. No solace for Borussia Dortmund or Lille, who finished dead last in their groups, but a small consolation for the others. Furthermore the addition of some power teams makes for a significant revenue, and credibility boost, to Europe's second fiddle club tournament.
At this time the Champions League features only five title defenders of European leagues. Six first place finishers from 2010-11 remain in Europa. And while the overall pool of thirty-two teams isn't as consistently strong as the sixteen survivors in the Champions League, there are some headline grabbers to steal attention for the lower prestige tournament. The first knockout round draw may be itself be a spectacle.
Manchester United vs Ajax
As we mentioned previously, the reigning English champs were defeated by Barcelona in last years' Champions League final. That was the third time in four years that United competed in the final. They are three time Champions League winners and in 1991 claimed the Cup Winners' Cup, a predecessor to Europa League. The main question is how United will use their squad which is already strained by injuries with captain Nemanja Vidic out for the season, Chicharito missing time, and Ashley Young leaving this week's game. Will Sir Alex Ferguson risk losing ground in England, or the FA Cup, to field a top squad in Europa?
Ajax has claimed the Champions League title four times, and predecessors of Europa League (Cup Winners' Cup and UEFA Cup) on two occasions. They are the champions of The Netherlands, but are off pace this season. Additionally they are always a likely target to get raided during a transfer window, with Manchester United looking at their young midfielder Christian Eriksen.
Manchester City vs Porto
Manchester City is either the wealthiest team in the world, or the wealthiest team that matters. Their continental pedigree is lacking however, hence their poor draw in the UCL groups. They have enough talent on their bench to run the Europa gauntlet. But they are currently fending off United at the top of the English Premiere League table, and also find themselves deep into a Carling Cup run. Will their collective European inexperience outweigh their depth?
Two time Champions League winners Porto are the kings of Europa. Last season they claimed a minor treble with a Europa League championship, a Primeira Liga title, and a Portuguese Cup victory. It was their third victory in the Europa League and it's variants. Then Chelsea came in, made it rain and stole Porto's coach out from under them. Eerily enough that was the second time the exact scenario for Porto had played out in a seven year span.
Lazio vs Atletico Madrid
These two teams have recently been running just below Champions League qualification in their home countries. Yet, they have both had recent success. Lazio made an astonishing run to claim the Italian Cup two years ago. The same season, Atletico won Europa League.
During the summer, both teams made significant upgrades to their forwards. Lazio added German International, and former Bayern Munich star, Miroslav Klose. Atletico splurged on Porto star Falcao. In this two-legged-tie, both teams may feel like, someone is watching them. (Klosely!)
Stoke City vs Valencia
Valencia is the far more talented team in this matchup. Stoke City qualified for Europa by losing to Manchester City in the FA Cup. Because City qualified for the Champions League, Stoke took their place in Europa (where cup winners normally are slotted).
On paper Valencia shouldn't have to struggle for a victory. But the refs may decide this game. Stoke is team that plays defense by force. How will Roboerto Soldado react to the crunching tackles by a team that has nothing to lose, and everything to prove in Europe? How will the refs call the match? Generally the English physical style is compromised in continental competitions. That doesn't mean that Stoke won't let Valencia know they're not intimidated by superior talent.
Those four ties may highlight the round of thirty-two. However there are some other strong clubs still alive in Europa:
Schalke 04 qualified for the tournament by winning the German Cup and were semifinalists in last years' Champions League. Former Real Madrid legend Raul fronts their attack, joined by Dutchman Klaas-Jan-Huntelaar and Peruvian Jefferson Farfan.
Udinese is currently ranked by Fox as the eighth best club team in the world. (Europa comrades Manchester City are fourth) That says a lot for the Italians who lost one of their finest play makers in the last transfer window. Captain Antonio Di Natale is one of the finest finishers in Serie A. After being eliminated by Arsenal during the qualifying for the Champions League, Udinese found their stride in Europa and in their home country.
No normal network in America carries Europa League until next season (thank you Fox, but we're still waiting for an apology for the majority of your primetime lineup). So there will not be much coverage stateside of the games. Still, this could be the season that Europa rivals the Champions League for intensity. After all, this year Europa has more Champions.
At this time the Champions League features only five title defenders of European leagues. Six first place finishers from 2010-11 remain in Europa. And while the overall pool of thirty-two teams isn't as consistently strong as the sixteen survivors in the Champions League, there are some headline grabbers to steal attention for the lower prestige tournament. The first knockout round draw may be itself be a spectacle.
Manchester United vs Ajax
As we mentioned previously, the reigning English champs were defeated by Barcelona in last years' Champions League final. That was the third time in four years that United competed in the final. They are three time Champions League winners and in 1991 claimed the Cup Winners' Cup, a predecessor to Europa League. The main question is how United will use their squad which is already strained by injuries with captain Nemanja Vidic out for the season, Chicharito missing time, and Ashley Young leaving this week's game. Will Sir Alex Ferguson risk losing ground in England, or the FA Cup, to field a top squad in Europa?
Ajax has claimed the Champions League title four times, and predecessors of Europa League (Cup Winners' Cup and UEFA Cup) on two occasions. They are the champions of The Netherlands, but are off pace this season. Additionally they are always a likely target to get raided during a transfer window, with Manchester United looking at their young midfielder Christian Eriksen.
Manchester City vs Porto
Manchester City is either the wealthiest team in the world, or the wealthiest team that matters. Their continental pedigree is lacking however, hence their poor draw in the UCL groups. They have enough talent on their bench to run the Europa gauntlet. But they are currently fending off United at the top of the English Premiere League table, and also find themselves deep into a Carling Cup run. Will their collective European inexperience outweigh their depth?
Two time Champions League winners Porto are the kings of Europa. Last season they claimed a minor treble with a Europa League championship, a Primeira Liga title, and a Portuguese Cup victory. It was their third victory in the Europa League and it's variants. Then Chelsea came in, made it rain and stole Porto's coach out from under them. Eerily enough that was the second time the exact scenario for Porto had played out in a seven year span.
Lazio vs Atletico Madrid
These two teams have recently been running just below Champions League qualification in their home countries. Yet, they have both had recent success. Lazio made an astonishing run to claim the Italian Cup two years ago. The same season, Atletico won Europa League.
During the summer, both teams made significant upgrades to their forwards. Lazio added German International, and former Bayern Munich star, Miroslav Klose. Atletico splurged on Porto star Falcao. In this two-legged-tie, both teams may feel like, someone is watching them. (Klosely!)
Stoke City vs Valencia
Valencia is the far more talented team in this matchup. Stoke City qualified for Europa by losing to Manchester City in the FA Cup. Because City qualified for the Champions League, Stoke took their place in Europa (where cup winners normally are slotted).
On paper Valencia shouldn't have to struggle for a victory. But the refs may decide this game. Stoke is team that plays defense by force. How will Roboerto Soldado react to the crunching tackles by a team that has nothing to lose, and everything to prove in Europe? How will the refs call the match? Generally the English physical style is compromised in continental competitions. That doesn't mean that Stoke won't let Valencia know they're not intimidated by superior talent.
Those four ties may highlight the round of thirty-two. However there are some other strong clubs still alive in Europa:
Schalke 04 qualified for the tournament by winning the German Cup and were semifinalists in last years' Champions League. Former Real Madrid legend Raul fronts their attack, joined by Dutchman Klaas-Jan-Huntelaar and Peruvian Jefferson Farfan.
Udinese is currently ranked by Fox as the eighth best club team in the world. (Europa comrades Manchester City are fourth) That says a lot for the Italians who lost one of their finest play makers in the last transfer window. Captain Antonio Di Natale is one of the finest finishers in Serie A. After being eliminated by Arsenal during the qualifying for the Champions League, Udinese found their stride in Europa and in their home country.
No normal network in America carries Europa League until next season (thank you Fox, but we're still waiting for an apology for the majority of your primetime lineup). So there will not be much coverage stateside of the games. Still, this could be the season that Europa rivals the Champions League for intensity. After all, this year Europa has more Champions.
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