UEFA Europa League thread

Just saw United - St Etien game today, quite good match, end to end stuff, first half could ended 1-3 for example but the visitors missed a few good chances and MU were lucky leading 1-0 at the half.
In the second United were far better and Ibrahimovic finished his hat-trick against the team he scored most goals in his career, so he was definitely lucky again, first goal came after doubtful free kick and really lucky bounce, third after really soft penalty for the visitors, harsh result for Saint Etien and I don't thin they've deserve it.

Could United go all the way in this tournament? certainly looking like one of the favourites.

Spurs failed down in Belgium to Gent which was good value for the money for those who spot it (not me )
I think Anderlecht win over Zenit was quite impressive too.

Yes Zlatan doing fine now mate (yeah I know you told me )
But he got really lucky with that hat-trick.
He's like doesn't had any luck in the previous PL game when he doesn't scored but all the luck in that game...to start..there wasn't even fouls against him in both situations from which he scored, anyway he's like classic N9 (heavy, toll, goalscorer) but with few bonuses - great ball control and he could pass too, I think it wouldn't be so tough for any great striker to be United's 9 right now because they created a lot of chances.
Spurs unperformed in Europe in the last seasons and they've done it again and this tournament could be very important for them too so they should be really up for it on the rematch.

Quote:

(yes I am hoping to jinx them)

O, you're giving your best shot, ah Ed
Hopefully it wouldn't matter after they won the UEFA cup!

Quite great tournament I think, the way Spurs been knocked out by Gent was maybe a bit lucky but impressive too, also Gladbach amazing comeback against Fiorentina from 2-0 (3-0agg) they scored 4 consecutive to clinch it.
The draw for the last 16 stage also was quite..how to call it..entertaining..I think United opponent is really dangerous team, they beat Bayern in the CL maybe last season it was, so I expect a tough couple of games..so I think they could create all sorts of problems for United and who knows..United history of failures against Russian teams is well known in this exactly tournament so...fingers crossed Ed

Here it is, last 16

Celta Vigo v Krasnodar
Apoel Nicosia v Anderlecht
Schalke v Borussia Monchengladbach
Lyon v Roma
Rostov v Manchester United
Olympiakos v Besiktas
Gent v Genk
Copenhagen v Ajax

CL-Ed wrote:

Y like the look of Lyon vs Roma, and Gent vs Genk is going to be a commentator's nightmare!

Yeah Lyon - Roma should be a great one - two teams that not bothered about defending too much

I don't think commentator love Borussia Monchengladbach too much either

Cracking match between Lion and Roma, really entertaining, it was nice for a change to see a game between two teams who doesn't bother too much of schemes and defensive tactics. Someone would probably say it's a bit childish, naive or even amateur like but isn't it sport just for that - creating pleasure.

Decent performance for United in Russia, on a really poor pitch there, I know it's very tough climate there but still I don't know how UEFA have so many requirements about stadium conditions as a whole but not so many obviously for the playing grounds it selves.

Yes second leg of Roma - Lion is a must watching game, those teams didn't like play at defence at all

It's Gent - Genk 2-5, didn't saw the highlights of that one Ed but it speaks enough for me...Spurs didn't managed to beat that Gent side!? Probably they used all their luck then.

By the way as far as I remember Genk have been a Champions maybe around 10 years back while Gent seems to be always in top 7-8 teams but never a top 3 side, they have 1 title too but way back not in our life time Ed
Just checked - Genk had been champions twice in recent years 2002 and 2011 and Gent once... 2015

CL-Ed wrote:

Gent also had a penalty that was saved so it could have been even more.

You mean Genk

CL-Ed wrote:

Hahah I don't know I'm totally confused. I think Gent had the penalty but Genk saved it.

Yes you was right mate it was Gent that missed the penalty. I got you wrong for a while...you meant it could be even higher scoring game in total not even worst loss for Gent.
Anyway...you was right about that game it could cause a headache

One more match in which it was painful to watch United display, it's never easy against these Russian and Ukrainian sides when they play with 11 man in defence but still United have too many d-minded players on the field so 1-0 is the best they could get from that.

After the game Mourinho acted like a victim once again saying "United has a lot of enemies" meaning the people who make the schedule and even the rest of the top teams in the PL for not playing European matches, but he likes that attitude.
The fact is that at least two more keen players were injured (Pogba and Blind) and with Zlatan and Herrera suspensions and Carrick injury Mourinho will have to use the depth of his squad despite his unwillingness to do that so far in the season - and in that is all the irony.

It was the first game that decided the Roma - Lion clash I think, it was an even game that Roma should it drawn or in the worst case loose by a single goal margin. Not that it was impossible for them to overcome that 2 goals deficit but they didn't looked in their best shape lately and it always looked to be a tough ask for them.
Lyon done very well and I think they could win the cup despite that Man United are the big favourites in this tournament.

Certainly agreed with you Ed, Michael Owen and Hargreaves both said exactly the same thing like you about Mourinho so you really know something
I'm just not sure how calculated oisthat, I think this is part of his character - the guy just like to moan (he couldn't be guilty of a failure himself) and I think part of him really believes that and probably over the years becomes his tactic deliberately or not, but that's just the easiest thing for him moaning and blaming any -body-thing around him.

Forgot to mention today's draw, here is it:

Ajax (NED) v Schalke (GER)

Anderlecht (BEL) v Manchester United (ENG)

Celta Vigo (ESP) v Genk (BEL)

Lyon (FRA) v Beşiktaş (TUR)

I think Lyon and Besiktas would probably be the most exiting clash, both team scored freely in the previous round so we could expect an entertainer.
I think Shalke, MU, Celta and Lyon should be considered favourites but the upsets are possible in any of those so let's see...

Yes, never seen that video before and it's to say the least strange, maybe the whole idea of that wasn't only his otherwise it looks quite odd to celebrate like that. To be honest looked few of his analysis after a games lately and it seemed to me he's talking quite reasonably but obviously he has his moments, for sure.

United couldn't won another game in which they were absolutely dominant on the field, it's ridiculous how many good chances they've missing in really almost any game and we still couldn't write off Anderlecht from the tie.
In the other ties the home teams who suppose to be the favourites get their wins but I guess nothing is still decided yet in any of them.

United scored in their first goal chance against Anderlecht and then ... in the 36 chance they've scored another one.
Belgium side was quite better than the first game when they equalized completely against the run of play but this time they started very well and was maybe even unlucky to concede first.
United was dominant second half and trough the extra time but hey missed really ridiculous amount of chances before Rasford scored in the beginning of second ET period.
In the end tough tough win for United and they paid the price with couple of injuries one of which of Zlatan who could be out for a few weeks.
Still United should over such teams a lot easier with the potential they've got...
With Lion still in the tournament it could be great semi final...

So United to face Celta and Lion v Ajax, United and Lion should be considered as a favourites but I think both these would be close encounters, previous round proved that when United progress due to a single goal more and Lion goes trough after penalties so...nothing is certain probably.

Yes agree about that Ed, you can say the same about Benteke too
But I guess some player just don't have the character or nerves to play in the bigger sides when pressure is multiple times higher.
And yes Celta's defence should be ready when Aspas take a corner you can't forget that, are you?!

Man United and Ajax looks to be pretty much in control before the second leg games but I guess you never could be 100% sure, that 4-1 Ajax win over yon was quite stunning, I hoped to see the entertaining French side on the final but it looks impossible now.

So Lyon almost done another miracle this season after a 4-1 first game defeat.
This final will make all the difference in United season, if they win the season would be estimated as a great one by the average fan I guess and if not it would be a disastrous one and rightly so.

Yes the winner will gain a CL spot Ed, I guess it's all that counts these days, even probably means more than the fact that in fact you're winning a trophy which is kind of sad I think because a Cl spot = profit.

So it's time for the final, huge stakes for United but for Ajax too, the result would make all the difference in any of those teams season, of course United are favourite but nothing comes easy for Mourinho's team this season so I expect a tough game and I think the upset is possible...