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17 February 2017 - 1:14am

UEFA Europa League thread

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There's every season some of the top English sides participating in this tournament and I think me and you Ed should be particularly interested in it for years to come maybe πŸ˜‰ the way our favourite teams doing in the PL πŸ˜€ So I started it...

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17 February 2017 - 1:29am
#1

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.

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17 February 2017 - 5:53am
#2

How about that Zlatan? He's not bad is he? (told you so!) That was a comfortable result for United and its interesting that Spurs may be falling into a bit of a hole now which is not what they will want especially with the congested league table. I saw a bit of the Astra vs Genk game this morning which was an exciting 2-2 draw and I hope to catch the highlights of other games tonight.

Man Utd look like they are on a big roll now and they have a relatively "easy" run of fixtures in the premier league after next week's cup matches over the next couple of months so I think they are in a good position to break back into that top four.

(yes I am hoping to jinx them)

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17 February 2017 - 11:31pm
#3

Yes Zlatan doing fine now mate (yeah I know you told me πŸ˜‰)
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! πŸ˜‰

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24 February 2017 - 10:52pm
#4

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 πŸ˜‰

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

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27 February 2017 - 12:38am
#5

Yes I agree and in some ways I prefer this tournament to the champions league. It is less predictable and there are always upsets because the so called bigger teams don't always take it as seriously as they should. I like the look of Lyon vs Roma, and Gent vs Genk is going to be a commentator's nightmare!

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28 February 2017 - 12:19am
#6
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 πŸ™‚

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

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9 March 2017 - 10:15pm
#7

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.

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10 March 2017 - 3:17am
#8

I knew Lyon v Roma would be a good game and they didn't disappoint. How about Genk 5-2 Gent? Or was it the other way around? I'm not sure!

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11 March 2017 - 12:16am
#9

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

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 πŸ˜‰
Just checked - Genk had been champions twice in recent years 2002 and 2011 and Gent once... 2015 😲 😳 πŸ˜€

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12 March 2017 - 12:24am
#10

Yes Genk and Gent were only 1 or 2 points apart from each other on the table last week when I checked. So I was expecting a tight game, not a 7 goal blowout. Gent also had a penalty that was saved so it could have been even more.

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12 March 2017 - 5:22pm
#11
CL-Ed wrote:

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

You mean Genk 🀷

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13 March 2017 - 6:30am
#12

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

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13 March 2017 - 10:13pm
#13
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 πŸ˜•

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16 March 2017 - 11:26pm
#14

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. πŸ™‚

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.

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17 March 2017 - 6:27am
#15

That's just more typical Mourinho saying stuff that he knows isn't true. He's a master at building a siege mentality and convincing all his players that everyone is against them and that everything is unfair. It is quite calculated and deliberate and I think most footballers aren't exactly that smart so they go along with it and it makes them successful.

I am pleased to see Lyon go through. I have enjoyed watching them play those matches. They are quite an entertaining side and you know there are going to be goals when they play (at both ends!).

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17 March 2017 - 11:39pm
#16

Certainly agreed with you Ed, Michael Owen and Hargreaves both said exactly the same thing like you about Mourinho so you really know something πŸ‘
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.

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18 March 2017 - 12:24am
#17

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...

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20 March 2017 - 4:56am
#18

Oh no, not Michael Owen.. he's dull as dishwater and about half as smart! Have you ever seen the video of him celebrating and carrying on after he scores against a 13 year old kid in a skills video he was filming? Here's a good read about it:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/04/13/well-done-hes-13-revisiti...

And yes Mourinho loves to moan but I do think a lot of it is premeditated.

I like that draw and I like the competition because you can look at those matches and there are no obvious favourites besides Man United.

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21 March 2017 - 2:09am
#19

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.

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13 April 2017 - 11:49pm
#20

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.

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20 April 2017 - 11:01pm
#21

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...

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21 April 2017 - 10:46pm
#22

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.

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25 April 2017 - 4:52am
#23

Man United vs Celta Vigo... watch out for Iago Aspas - especially if he takes a corner! Its crazy to see how a player as good as him was made to look so poor in the premier league when he was with Liverpool. I guess it just shows that some players need to find the right club and/or country to bring out their best.

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25 April 2017 - 11:20pm
#24

Yes agree about that Ed, you can say the same about Benteke too πŸ˜‰
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 πŸ˜€ you can't forget that, are you?! πŸ˜‰

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7 May 2017 - 5:52pm
#25

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.

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12 May 2017 - 6:53pm
#26

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.

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17 May 2017 - 1:43am
#27

Does the winner gain a place in the champions league next year?

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19 May 2017 - 9:05pm
#28

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.

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24 May 2017 - 2:34pm
#29

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...

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24 May 2017 - 10:54pm
#30

Well you need not have worried! Ajax did a lot of lovely passing but didn't really threaten to do anything dangerous with the ball and in the end Man United won quite comfortably. How do rate their season now?

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