⚽UEFA Europa League Discussion Thread -- 2021/22 Winners: Eintracht Frankfurt!

[Jackl87]

Yesterdays penalty shoot-out was the longest i ever witnessed live. The game itself was not that exciting but also not completely boring and villareal could keep up with manchester united way better than i expected. ManU was my big favorite for this final as they simply have way better (or only more popular?) individual players. Spanish teams just always do well in the europa league, for teams of other big leagues like england and germany the europa league seems often more like an inconvenience than a exciting championship that everybody wants to be in. Also big congrats to unai emery, he won the europa leauge 4 times now with 2 different clubs.

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[FatFork]

What a game! I expected it to be quite defensive and boring, it actually was during the majority of the 120 minutes, but the penalties at the end were really exciting.

I'm glad that Villarreal won it at the end, Rulli was close to a few penalties before he saved De Gea's.
This is their first trophy in club's history if we do not count the Intertoto cup which they won twice before.

Yeah! It was more exciting and tense than I expected. That's why I love football. It's way more than just a game where you score a goal to win a match.

By the way, congrats to everyone who bet on Villarreal.

[Daniel91]

What a game! I expected it to be quite defensive and boring, it actually was during the majority of the 120 minutes, but the penalties at the end were really exciting.

I'm glad that Villarreal won it at the end, Rulli was close to a few penalties before he saved De Gea's.
This is their first trophy in club's history if we do not count the Intertoto cup which they won twice before.

Yeah! It was more exciting and tense than I expected. That's why I love football. It's way more than just a game where you score a goal to win a match.

By the way, congrats to everyone who bet on Villarreal.

Agree, Manchester were closer to winning and better during the game but failed to score the second goal and resolve the match.
Penalties are always a lottery and this time Villareal had more luck.
I really forgot the last time I watched so many penalties, it was really exciting and fun 

[joker_josue]

Agree, Manchester were closer to winning and better during the game but failed to score the second goal and resolve the match.
Penalties are always a lottery and this time Villareal had more luck.
I really forgot the last time I watched so many penalties, it was really exciting and fun 

Some players at Man United were not at their best, like Bruno Fernandes, and that may justify not having scored more goals during the 120 minutes.

What surprises me about penalties, was not the number of penalties, but the fact that it took 22 penalties for 1 player to fail. That yes, I don't remember seeing it.

[Renampun]

These are the penalties that I have never seen before until 11 players became executors. Poor De Gea, he failed. I just curious if De Gea making a goal and score to be 11-11, who the next executor? the substitution player?

At the end of the 11 players of each team, to score a penalty, and to remain tied, the sequence of players resumes. He scores again the first player who scored the penalty, and so on.

btw, I am amazed by the crowd on social media, why they seem to blame de Gea for MU's defeat...

But unfortunately, De Gea failed to enter the ball when he became the executor of the 11th penalty. The ball kicked to the right of the goal was anticipated by the goalkeeper from Argentina, Geronimo Rulli. After the match, Manchester United supporters were disappointed with De Gea's performance.

after all, de gea has played well, logically there is no single player who wants his team to fail, sometimes the fans really have shit mouths.

[joker_josue]

after all, de gea has played well, logically there is no single player who wants his team to fail, sometimes the fans really have shit mouths.

Yea! That is very unfair!
He even touched the ball on several occasions, almost defending.

Man United had all the conditions to have had a better overall performance, throughout the match.
But as they failed to prove that they were superior to Villarreal, they were subject to the penalties that is a lottery. Therefore, it is the fault of the whole team, without the goalkeeper being less responsible in this game.

[DU18]

Agree, Manchester were closer to winning and better during the game but failed to score the second goal and resolve the match.
Penalties are always a lottery and this time Villareal had more luck.
I really forgot the last time I watched so many penalties, it was really exciting and fun 

Some players at Man United were not at their best, like Bruno Fernandes, and that may justify not having scored more goals during the 120 minutes.

What surprises me about penalties, was not the number of penalties, but the fact that it took 22 penalties for 1 player to fail. That yes, I don't remember seeing it.

As the last kicker, of course De Gea got a very big burden on his shoulders so that in the end he failed to complete the penalty so that Manchester United failed to win the European League this season, with the occurrence of 22 penalties, of course this indicates a very balanced match for the two teams and this becomes the title The first Europa League champion for Villarreal and by winning the European League this season automatically makes Villarreal entitled to the Champions League next season through this route, even though in LaLiga they finish seventh, so that the Spanish league has officially sent five teams to the Champions League next season.

[condoras]

after all, de gea has played well, logically there is no single player who wants his team to fail, sometimes the fans really have shit mouths.

Sorry to say it but to be a No1 goalkeeper in a major club like Man Utd, you have to save a penalty at some point. De Gea's last save came back in 2016 and still his record going from bad to worse. Anyways Man Utd has the entire game to find the win and sealed it but Hemeri is a mastermind and manages to lock them tight.
Congrats to Villareal fans, big win, and a big trophy!

[Koal-84]

Very good tactical and defensive performance from Villarreal. The defense was very tight and good, very difficult getting through for Manchester, with penalty shoot-outs you always need a little luck anyway. Good tactic analysis in German about yesterday's game.

https://abseits.at/fusball-international/europa-league/analyse-villarreal-kroent-sich-zum-europa-league-sieger/

[Avirunes]

I couldn't agree more, I actually expected a lot better from Man Utd, I thought they'd dominate the game and win with relative ease, but Man Utd were never the better over the course of 90 minutes, I wouldn't blame De Gea by any means, any one could have lost a penalty.

It was a deserved victory for Villarreal, however, I feel somewhat bad for for Ole, he's done a fantastic job with Man United and a silverware would have only made more sense.

Both teams played great without a doubt.

Yeah, United had a great season. They even started CL group stage quite well but went out of luck in later stages. Still they have matured a lot in last 1 year. They finished 2nd in PL despite starting quite badly. They will again start in CL group stage and hopefully they will find good progress this time. Talking about Ole, I think he is a good manager. There have been lot of instances when sack blade was around his neck but he did great. Now there have been rumours about Man United taking a interest on hiring Conte as manager but I think Ole could get the job done. He is not a bad manager, he just needs time.

[cryptofrka]

The problem isn't in Solskjaer. The problem is above him, and in general perception of Manchester United.

Yesterday was all the proof you need. The majority expected United to win, a lot of people gave Villarreal no chance at all. After all, they are playing United!

These times have passed, United is nowhere near what they were and they need to start acting like it. Their last league win was almost 10 years ago, their last trophy that same Europa league won under Mourinho in 2017.

The aura around the club is as if they deserve the trophy without even playing for it and the reality is that they have been utter crap throughout the last 10 years or so. Dropping Solskjaer? For what exactly? He actually overachieved this season.

[Cnut237]

The majority expected United to win, a lot of people gave Villarreal no chance at all. After all, they are playing United!

I really wanted Villarreal to win, as they had never won a major trophy before, whereas Man U have more than enough.
I still can't believe Villareal have never even won La Liga, yet here they are picking up one of the big European trophies. It was a crazy way to finish, but I'm very happy for them

to be a No1 goalkeeper in a major club like Man Utd, you have to save a penalty at some point. De Gea's last save came back in 2016

It was interesting that both teams brought on players who were good at taking penalties... but each player go bring on can only contribute to one penalty... whereas if you bring a specialist penalty-saving goalkeeper, he can contribute to every penalty. It seems to me that bringing on a specialist goalkeeper would be more beneficial than bringing on a specialist penalty taker... and after all, it has been done before to winning effect.

[onecall123]

What a game! I expected it to be quite defensive and boring, it actually was during the majority of the 120 minutes, but the penalties at the end were really exciting.

I'm glad that Villarreal won it at the end, Rulli was close to a few penalties before he saved De Gea's.
This is their first trophy in club's history if we do not count the Intertoto cup which they won twice before.

Exactly, what a game! ManU have over confident that it will go their way but Villarreal didn't allow them that space or opportunity. The better team succeeded at the end. Congratulations to Villarreal, their first ever major title! Anyway, we have new King of the Europa League.

[DIA7]

What a game! I expected it to be quite defensive and boring, it actually was during the majority of the 120 minutes, but the penalties at the end were really exciting.

I'm glad that Villarreal won it at the end, Rulli was close to a few penalties before he saved De Gea's.
This is their first trophy in club's history if we do not count the Intertoto cup which they won twice before.

Exactly, what a game! ManU have over confident that it will go their way but Villarreal didn't allow them that space or opportunity. The better team succeeded at the end. Congratulations to Villarreal, their first ever major title! Anyway, we have new King of the Europa League.

Actually I think Manchester United were a bit scared in that match they didn't want to take the risk a lot and OGS didn't have confidence over his bench that's why his subs came in extra time but i think he should changed DeGea as he is not too good at saving penalties his last one he saved was in 2016 I don't blame him on missing his penalty shot but his savings were needed more if he saved one he wouldn't have to be in that position.
The only thing that matters now is that United needs to work on their defense from set prices they conceded crucial goals this year from set pieces. And gfrir only greatest point thus year is that they renewed Cavani because he still performing very well this year despite not playing so much in the first part of the season I still questions how could PSG let him go also he was about to join Benfics in the latest days.

[Altryist]

Exactly, what a game! ManU have over confident that it will go their way but Villarreal didn't allow them that space or opportunity. The better team succeeded at the end. Congratulations to Villarreal, their first ever major title! Anyway, we have new King of the Europa League.

I would say that the king of the Europa League is Unai Emery, his ability to win in this tournament is amazing. Villarreal well done, calm confident game. Just like Manchester United, they did everything they could, but the strongest won. An important victory for Villarreal, now they can play in the Champions League.

[$crypto$]

Exactly, what a game! ManU have over confident that it will go their way but Villarreal didn't allow them that space or opportunity. The better team succeeded at the end. Congratulations to Villarreal, their first ever major title! Anyway, we have new King of the Europa League.

I would say that the king of the Europa League is Unai Emery, his ability to win in this tournament is amazing. Villarreal well done, calm confident game. Just like Manchester United, they did everything they could, but the strongest won. An important victory for Villarreal, now they can play in the Champions League.

The matches were so dramatic Villareal and Manchester United I see only in the statistics that Man United are superior but still that space is not there and Villareal was able to prevent it well right up to the final whistle.
Unai Emery has proven his steadfastness because he is already convinced that in his grasp victory is sure to happen and sure enough after 4 meetings and now a big win for Unai Emery and Villareal.
I only glimpsed the news that Solskjaer before there was a bit of doubt on DeGea but sure enough it was a dead end for Manchester.

[condoras]

It was interesting that both teams brought on players who were good at taking penalties... but each player go bring on can only contribute to one penalty... whereas if you bring a specialist penalty-saving goalkeeper, he can contribute to every penalty. It seems to me that bringing on a specialist goalkeeper would be more beneficial than bringing on a specialist penalty taker... and after all, it has been done before to winning effect.

I'm not talking about the penalty that De Gea missed but the 11 that he didn't save. Neither I'm one of the people that will blame the keeper for not saving a penalty. Still his negative record remains...
Of course, I agree with you that getting a penalty saver specialist keeper is been proved a good choice for teams but maybe a better choice is to have a better goalkeeping coach with a specialty in penalties? Besides, I doubt that a goalkeeper would like to be on the bench just for such an occasion.

[joker_josue]

I'm not talking about the penalty that De Gea missed but the 11 that he didn't save. Neither I'm one of the people that will blame the keeper for not saving a penalty. Still his negative record remains...
Of course, I agree with you that getting a penalty saver specialist keeper is been proved a good choice for teams but maybe a better choice is to have a better goalkeeping coach with a specialty in penalties? Besides, I doubt that a goalkeeper would like to be on the bench just for such an occasion.

It was not the first time that an alternate goalkeeper had entered only for penalties.
But, as I heard a great player say: "however much a goalkeeper has to defend a penalty, this was only possible because the penalty was badly hit.
In yesterday's game, all the penalties were very well scored. Except the last one ...

[LFC_Bitcoin]

You can’t blame De Gea for missing the penalty, there is always going to be a villain in a shootout. I’m surprised it got to 10-10. Maybe the only thing you can criticise De Gea for is he could have saved one?

[Mistafreeze]

What a game! I expected it to be quite defensive and boring, it actually was during the majority of the 120 minutes, but the penalties at the end were really exciting.

I never expected Villarreal to gave manutd such an entertaining, intense and attacking game last night I thought it would be an easy game for the united after Chikwueze was absent through injury.

I'm glad that Villarreal won it at the end, Rulli was close to a few penalties before he saved De Gea's.

Rulli is twice the player right now..