⚽UEFA Europa League Discussion Thread -- 2023/24 | Winner: Atalanta

[hashrateproducts]

United lol! Well, I think that is indeed the problem with Premier League teams. They underestimate all the opponents from other leagues who are not champions. If they play Real Madrid or Barca or maybe Atletico, then sure, they would respect them. But meet Villareal, meet Real Sociedad, and then they think 3 points is already in the bag and easy.

I do have to feel sorry though, the penalty was soooo soft

United losing to Real Sociedad is one of the best game I got to watch this week. United fans were over confident in the game as they were hoping to thrash their visitors but reverse was the case. Erik Ten Hag didn't use the necessary players needed to start games but it's clear obvious, they lost their first game in the Europa League. They're not different from Chelsea, mocking Blues who lost their first champions league game away to Dinamo Zegreb, saying it's small team which blues needed to win. For United, they fail to right that impression and it affected them in the game.
 

[GiftedMAN]

United lol! Well, I think that is indeed the problem with Premier League teams. They underestimate all the opponents from other leagues who are not champions. If they play Real Madrid or Barca or maybe Atletico, then sure, they would respect them. But meet Villareal, meet Real Sociedad, and then they think 3 points are already in the bag and easy.

I do have to feel sorry though, the penalty was so soft

Manchester United didn't underestimate Real Sociedad in the game because United is still finding it difficult to win matches this season despite their recent three-straight wins in the EPL. United played very good football against Real Sociedad but the presence of a sharp striker that could penetrate the strong defense line of Real Sociedad was missing in the game and Ronaldo was unable to break the wall of Sociedad's defense. I believe the challenge wasn't the team they played against but the set of players that were selected to start the first half there wouldn't be a different player if United didn't play against a team like Real Sociedad.

The penalty kick that was taken by  Brais Mendez was a fantastic one but it seems like the Referee wasn't watching the game at some point because I was expecting him to award a penalty to United in the also but that didn't happen.

[ilovealtcoins]

United lol! Well, I think that is indeed the problem with Premier League teams. They underestimate all the opponents from other leagues who are not champions. If they play Real Madrid or Barca or maybe Atletico, then sure, they would respect them. But meet Villareal, meet Real Sociedad, and then they think 3 points is already in the bag and easy.
I do have to feel sorry though, the penalty was soooo soft

United losing to Real Sociedad is one of the best game I got to watch this week. United fans were over confident in the game as they were hoping to thrash their visitors but reverse was the case. Erik Ten Hag didn't use the necessary players needed to start games but it's clear obvious, they lost their first game in the Europa League. They're not different from Chelsea, mocking Blues who lost their first champions league game away to Dinamo Zegreb, saying it's small team which blues needed to win. For United, they fail to right that impression and it affected them in the game.

It was unexpected that United would lose. Because their performance was quite good in the last few matches. In this match, Ten Hag gave Ronaldo and Harry Maguire a chance to prove their mettle. But both players failed. Ronaldo and Maguire are unlikely to be retained by the Ten Hag in his squad. On the other hand, Chelsea's performance is weak. Liverpool, Chelsea and United will also be trailing in the Premier League title race this season.

[abhiseshakana]

It was unexpected that United would lose. Because their performance was quite good in the last few matches. In this match, Ten Hag gave Ronaldo and Harry Maguire a chance to prove their mettle. But both players failed. Ronaldo and Maguire are unlikely to be retained by the Ten Hag in his squad. On the other hand, Chelsea's performance is weak. Liverpool, Chelsea and United will also be trailing in the Premier League title race this season.

I think Ten Hag provides an opportunity for Ronaldo and Maguire to play as starters because the Europa League is the right moment to rotate players so that some players in the first team can get a rest day and the players who are usually on the bench can get a chance to play. Well, the performance of the Man United players who were fighting against Sociedad it's not as good as the performance of the squad that is usually played in the Premier League. It could be because Maguire is there , but for a reasonable reason, I think they really don't have the chemistry that the first team had.

[KTChampions]

Zurich 1 - 2 Arsenal 

Given the fact that I bet on the victory of Arsenal with a handicap of minus one goal, I am not satisfied. The impression is like from a garbage game in a garbage competition. Arsenal in the starting lineup released one and a half players from the main squad - how can this be taken seriously? I understand that there are tournament strategies and passing games, but the group stage in the Europa League is clowning and nothing more.

You are not satisfied with the result of Arsenal 2-1 win because your bet on Arsenal win is with a handicap of minus one goal. Here you feel the disappointment, but not with Arteta and the Arsenal players, they are very satisfied with this result because they can bounce back after the defeat to Manchester United. Arsenal really need a win to restore the player's mentality, Arteta doesn't care about Arsenal winning score, the important thing is that Arsenal can win the game is enough to make Arteta heart happy.

  Wow! You must be a telepath and could read my mind! 

But in fact, even if I did not bet, I have long been dissatisfied with such garbage tournaments as the Nations League, the Europa League (most games before the quarter-finals), the Conference League (most games before the semi-finals), etc. (some national cups). The Premier League is considered the best league for the most part because there is the most intense struggle where both underdog and favorite plays until the 95th minute at the limit of his strength trying to score points. There is nothing similar in such tournaments. In fact, most of the games differ little from friendly ones. I am annoyed by this fact whether I bet or not.

Well, you wouldn't expect them to field a strong first 11 against an FC Zurich they probably thought wasn't that strong, would you?
It's all strategy at play, their biggest fight is in the Premier League and you want your team to be a fresh as possible if they are to beat the likes of Manchester City by points at the end of the season

Yeah, that's the fate of junk tournaments - they're made to save energy and let substitutes warm up 
Even playing against Victoria Barcelona scores a lot of goals because Lewandowski is trying just for the sake of statistics and history. In junk tournaments, this is of no interest to anyone.

[casperBGD]

-snip
But in fact, even if I did not bet, I have long been dissatisfied with such garbage tournaments as the Nations League, the Europa League (most games before the quarter-finals), the Conference League (most games before the semi-finals), etc. (some national cups).

not sure where are you from, but for smaller countries, Europa league and especially Conference league are only chance to have European matches further to summer qualification rounds and I like it

althouh, I would like more to have Champions league with Champions only, because it is kind a ironic to have Champions league winner that is not a Champion in their respective country, what kind of Champion is that?
and Cup winners Cups, as before, where Cup winners in their countries are playing

now, all these (CL, EL, ECL) are played just for money, and it is important to have more matches on TV

[Oluwa-btc]

It was unexpected that United would lose. Because their performance was quite good in the last few matches. In this match, Ten Hag gave Ronaldo and Harry Maguire a chance to prove their mettle. But both players failed. Ronaldo and Maguire are unlikely to be retained by the Ten Hag in his squad. On the other hand, Chelsea's performance is weak. Liverpool, Chelsea and United will also be trailing in the Premier League title race this season.

I think Ten Hag provides an opportunity for Ronaldo and Maguire to play as starters because the Europa League is the right moment to rotate players so that some players in the first team can get a rest day and the players who are usually on the bench can get a chance to play. Well, the performance of the Man United players who were fighting against Sociedad it's not as good as the performance of the squad that is usually played in the Premier League. It could be because Maguire is there , but for a reasonable reason, I think they really don't have the chemistry that the first team had.

He has to rotate to preserve his best squad at all cost, I wasn't impressed though,they did possessed Manchester United from first half.
The ball flow from behind was dull and poor, a quicker transition and flow of the ball came in to play during the second half of the game.
Harry Maguire should have been substituted, I care less if he is English or whatever but if Ten Hag wants to safe his job, then he should stop trusting the British player's.
Casemiro also, made wrong passes and was too dull, seems like a fatigued player. I'm not worried cause with them he'll get better and suits the team. Ronaldo ? I still don't know what's to be done for Ronaldo, Manchester United should focus bon younger players, yes Ronaldo bis the goat but he seems like a finished player, or Maybe enough chance's are not been created.

[sana54210]

United lol! Well, I think that is indeed the problem with Premier League teams. They underestimate all the opponents from other leagues who are not champions. If they play Real Madrid or Barca or maybe Atletico, then sure, they would respect them. But meet Villareal, meet Real Sociedad, and then they think 3 points is already in the bag and easy.

I do have to feel sorry though, the penalty was soooo soft

United losing to Real Sociedad is one of the best game I got to watch this week. United fans were over confident in the game as they were hoping to thrash their visitors but reverse was the case. Erik Ten Hag didn't use the necessary players needed to start games but it's clear obvious, they lost their first game in the Europa League. They're not different from Chelsea, mocking Blues who lost their first champions league game away to Dinamo Zegreb, saying it's small team which blues needed to win. For United, they fail to right that impression and it affected them in the game.

I would guess that the game was good enough for United too, they missed so many chances and they ended up losing in the end but they played well enough to actually consider themselves a great team too, like this wasn't a proof that they are still bad, they won 4 games in a row, they got back from bottom of the league all the way to higher levels.

Only obvious situation is that they lost 3-4 games Maguire played, and won all he didn't, that should be a key reason for it because he is seriously bad. I would sack him, not just remove him from the roster but literally fire him, and they make him the captain instead, that just doesn't make sense to me.

[Lordhermes]

United lol! Well, I think that is indeed the problem with Premier League teams. They underestimate all the opponents from other leagues who are not champions. If they play Real Madrid or Barca or maybe Atletico, then sure, they would respect them. But meet Villareal, meet Real Sociedad, and then they think 3 points are already in the bag and easy.

I do have to feel sorry though, the penalty was so soft

Manchester United didn't underestimate Real Sociedad in the game because United is still finding it difficult to win matches this season despite their recent three-straight wins in the EPL. United played very good football against Real Sociedad but the presence of a sharp striker that could penetrate the strong defense line of Real Sociedad was missing in the game and Ronaldo was unable to break the wall of Sociedad's defense. I believe the challenge wasn't the team they played against but the set of players that were selected to start the first half there wouldn't be a different player if United didn't play against a team like Real Sociedad.

The penalty kick that was taken by  Brais Mendez was a fantastic one but it seems like the Referee wasn't watching the game at some point because I was expecting him to award a penalty to United in the also but that didn't happen.

I am not seeing United being able to qualify from the group stage of the Europa league this season,they won three straight matches, but they have not played the kind of football that will make them consistent match winners. Real sociedad is a very strong club,and they also have good defenders that can prevent goals from entering their post.Their defence was very strong against United that despite the attempt United had,they were unable to break their defence.Unless United use the squad they used against Arsenal,they will find it difficult to win matches.

[slaman29]

United tried their best to get back to the game but Real Sociedad made their defense so formidable. One of the issue united had was inaccurate passes from the midfield to the forward on few ocassions. It was either too short to get through or too fast to catch up with. But Manu defense was a bit ok even with Maguire at the starting ix.

The penalty shoot out was sweet but United were denied theirs

I saw that penalty call, it was also soft. Both weren't penalties, but Sociedad's was given. Oh well

Their defence was very strong against United that despite the attempt United had,they were unable to break their defence.Unless United use the squad they used against Arsenal,they will find it difficult to win matches.

Well, let's also be objective, their keeper didn't have a single good shot to save, just typical ones any keeper could, so it was more of United being blunt in attack, even Sancho and Rashford couldn't get something out of it.

And to be worse, Sociedad actually attacked better after the goal!

[Pulsar77]

I am not seeing United being able to qualify from the group stage of the Europa league this season,they won three straight matches, but they have not played the kind of football that will make them consistent match winners. Real sociedad is a very strong club,and they also have good defenders that can prevent goals from entering their post.Their defence was very strong against United that despite the attempt United had,they were unable to break their defence.Unless United use the squad they used against Arsenal,they will find it difficult to win matches.

I think that you are judging their future too early. Because they don't have a difficult group. Real Sociedad are the only tough team against them. Maybe you will talk about Sheriff Tiraspol. I know that they were a really interesting team in the Champions League last season. They collected 7 points in a group which Real Madrid and Inter were also in. They were only three points behind Inter at the end.



However they are still not a very powerful team in general. Just because they did this once it doesn't mean they will have a good run here too. The remaining team of the group are Omonia. They are not a serious opponent for Manchester United at all.

As a result I think that Manchester United can finish the group stage at the second position in the worst case. For example I believe in them to beat Sheriff next week to make up for the loss. I'd like to add that Sheriff were eliminated by Plzen in the qualification round of the Champions League. Manchester United are a way bigger team to deal with for them.

[BitcoinHunt3r]

I am not seeing United being able to qualify from the group stage of the Europa league this season,they won three straight matches, but they have not played the kind of football that will make them consistent match winners. Real sociedad is a very strong club,and they also have good defenders that can prevent goals from entering their post.Their defence was very strong against United that despite the attempt United had,they were unable to break their defence.Unless United use the squad they used against Arsenal,they will find it difficult to win matches.

On the other hand I have a different opinion I think Manchester United can qualify from the group stage at least as runner up
Assume that Man United can't beat Real Sociedad but Man united has the potential to beat 2 other teams Omonia and Sheriff
This means that the opportunity to secure the runner up is still open, although other scenarios can happen but just sure enough with my prediction.

[abhiseshakana]

I am not seeing United being able to qualify from the group stage of the Europa league this season,they won three straight matches, but they have not played the kind of football that will make them consistent match winners. Real sociedad is a very strong club,and they also have good defenders that can prevent goals from entering their post.Their defence was very strong against United that despite the attempt United had,they were unable to break their defence.Unless United use the squad they used against Arsenal,they will find it difficult to win matches.

I think that you are judging their future too early. Because they don't have a difficult group. Real Sociedad are the only tough team against them. Maybe you will talk about Sheriff Tiraspol. I know that they were a really interesting team in the Champions League last season. They collected 7 points in a group which Real Madrid and Inter were also in. They were only three points behind Inter at the end.



However they are still not a very powerful team in general. Just because they did this once it doesn't mean they will have a good run here too. The remaining team of the group are Omonia. They are not a serious opponent for Manchester United at all.

As a result I think that Manchester United can finish the group stage at the second position in the worst case. For example I believe in them to beat Sheriff next week to make up for the loss. I'd like to add that Sheriff were eliminated by Plzen in the qualification round of the Champions League. Manchester United are a way bigger team to deal with for them.

There is only 1 game that has been played in the Europa League, so it's too soon to conclude that Man United will not be able to qualify from Group E. Their loss against Sociedad will be a lesson for Ten Hag that the Europa League cannot be underestimated. So even though he needs to rotate players but Ten Hag must prepare anticipation if the formation can't work properly. In Group E only Sociedad have a level close to Man United but if Man United played with their first team (which is usually played in the Premier League), I think Man United has the potential to beat Sociedad (at least can steal 1 point).

[hd49728]

Harry Maguire should have been substituted, I care less if he is English or whatever but if Ten Hag wants to safe his job, then he should stop trusting the British player's.

It is likely untrue. The owner is not British and I don't believe Ten Hag has been required to use Maguire.

Casemiro also, made wrong passes and was too dull, seems like a fatigued player. I'm not worried cause with them he'll get better and suits the team.

Please give him time as we know Premier League is different than La Liga and he is no longer young. However I agree that United made a kind of bad transfer with an expensive cost and they don't have similar partners for him in midfield like Kroos or Modric.

Anyway it is too early to judge that Casemiro is a failed transfer, give him more time please.

Ronaldo ? I still don't know what's to be done for Ronaldo, Manchester United should focus bon younger players, yes Ronaldo bis the goat but he seems like a finished player, or Maybe enough chance's are not been created.

This match is his first chance to debut in one match this season but he has a very bad match. It looks like he is really affected by ageing that we did not see in the last season. With old players, their performance can be affected seriously just after one season.

On the other hand I have a different opinion I think Manchester United can qualify from the group stage at least as runner up
Assume that Man United can't beat Real Sociedad but Man united has the potential to beat 2 other teams Omonia and Sheriff

Omonia and Sheriff look like not opponents that can beat Manchester United. Even Sociedad can be beaten by United when they re meet in future. United still have enough matches to fix their loss in the first match.

This means that the opportunity to secure the runner up is still open, although other scenarios can happen but just sure enough with my prediction.

Chance is still big because it is only a first match of group stage and other competitors in the group are not stronger than Manchester United. I think they still have opportunity to end this group at the first position.

[RaltcoinsB]

United lol! Well, I think that is indeed the problem with Premier League teams. They underestimate all the opponents from other leagues who are not champions. If they play Real Madrid or Barca or maybe Atletico, then sure, they would respect them. But meet Villareal, meet Real Sociedad, and then they think 3 points is already in the bag and easy.
I do have to feel sorry though, the penalty was soooo soft

United losing to Real Sociedad is one of the best game I got to watch this week. United fans were over confident in the game as they were hoping to thrash their visitors but reverse was the case. Erik Ten Hag didn't use the necessary players needed to start games but it's clear obvious, they lost their first game in the Europa League. They're not different from Chelsea, mocking Blues who lost their first champions league game away to Dinamo Zegreb, saying it's small team which blues needed to win. For United, they fail to right that impression and it affected them in the game.

It was unexpected that United would lose. Because their performance was quite good in the last few matches. In this match, Ten Hag gave Ronaldo and Harry Maguire a chance to prove their mettle. But both players failed. Ronaldo and Maguire are unlikely to be retained by the Ten Hag in his squad. On the other hand, Chelsea's performance is weak. Liverpool, Chelsea and United will also be trailing in the Premier League title race this season.

Along with Chelsea and United, Liverpool's probability of winning the championship is weak in the Premier league, in my opinion, it will be between Arsenal and Manchester City this year.  It was a big surprise that Manchester United did not win in the Europa League matches.  It was one of those matches where I saw them win for sure.  Losing to Sociedad at home was a big shock to me.

[emrecemsan]

He has to rotate to preserve his best squad at all cost, I wasn't impressed though,they did possessed Manchester United from first half.
The ball flow from behind was dull and poor, a quicker transition and flow of the ball came in to play during the second half of the game.
Harry Maguire should have been substituted, I care less if he is English or whatever but if Ten Hag wants to safe his job, then he should stop trusting the British player's.
Casemiro also, made wrong passes and was too dull, seems like a fatigued player. I'm not worried cause with them he'll get better and suits the team. Ronaldo ? I still don't know what's to be done for Ronaldo, Manchester United should focus bon younger players, yes Ronaldo bis the goat but he seems like a finished player, or Maybe enough chance's are not been created.

Maybe Erik ten Hag didn't want to risk any of their main centre-backs and this was the reason why Maguire stayed in the match. Even his existence is enough for the team to lose a match though but this loss wasn't only his fault also. They struggled as a team against Real Sociedad even though they found very crucial opportunities.

As for Ronaldo, ten Hag is already focusing on Rashford normally. You can see this clearly by the recent Premier League matches and Rashford's performance in those ones. ten Hag just wanted to give Ronaldo another chance in the starting eleven in a different tournament. He wasted some goal chances maybe but it would be cruel to blame him by looking at only this match. If he plays for longer regularly then we can see how much solid he will perform. But while Rashford is this much beneficial there is no need to risk it for now.

[KTChampions]

-snip
But in fact, even if I did not bet, I have long been dissatisfied with such garbage tournaments as the Nations League, the Europa League (most games before the quarter-finals), the Conference League (most games before the semi-finals), etc. (some national cups).

not sure where are you from, but for smaller countries, Europa league and especially Conference league are only chance to have European matches further to summer qualification rounds and I like it

althouh, I would like more to have Champions league with Champions only, because it is kind a ironic to have Champions league winner that is not a Champion in their respective country, what kind of Champion is that?
and Cup winners Cups, as before, where Cup winners in their countries are playing

now, all these (CL, EL, ECL) are played just for money, and it is important to have more matches on TV

I'm from Russia, which is not spoiled for football victories (the only thing I remember is that Zenit and CSKA won the UEFA Cup). But that never stopped me from ignoring tournaments like the Intertoto Cup or the Cup Winners' Cup  I understand perfectly where these tournaments come from, but everyone sees that they do not reach their goal in terms of significance - even teams that will never win the Champions League rate them as third-rate.
And yes, I remember that once only champions played in the Champions League, but due to commerce, we will never see this format again. Now we are watching different versions of the Super League (and I hope that we will see the final version soon).

[buwaytress]

I'm from Russia, which is not spoiled for football victories (the only thing I remember is that Zenit and CSKA won the UEFA Cup). But that never stopped me from ignoring tournaments like the Intertoto Cup or the Cup Winners' Cup  I understand perfectly where these tournaments come from, but everyone sees that they do not reach their goal in terms of significance - even teams that will never win the Champions League rate them as third-rate.
And yes, I remember that once only champions played in the Champions League, but due to commerce, we will never see this format again. Now we are watching different versions of the Super League (and I hope that we will see the final version soon).

I certainly love betting on the Slavs when they're 10/1 or more. Dynamo or Spartak Moscow last season v Napoli (apologies for not remembering which) was one of my biggest wins, splendid wins.

Don't worry, there was a time English teams were in the wilderness (helps explain why many teams won CL trophies in their absences haha) but they were welcomed back.

[buwaytress]

Eh, Lazio's about to make sure my ambitious acca dies on the very first leg, need to score 4 in about 40 minutes, not that I don't think they cannot (who am I kidding), they're just probably going to make it worse now. United got a scruffy goal and Penaldo made it 2 as well, so all is well with the team, except a small matter of Sancho not making it to Nations League, ouch.

[execijutiere]

I'm looking forward to Fenerbahce's clash with Rennes. The odds for the match surprised me. I honestly didn't think rennes would be such a favorite. When I look at Fenerbahce's starting 11, it's more or less the same players. Jorge jesus seems to have established a certain rhythm and tactics. Of course, they still have some small deficiencies. This is an important match for Fenerbahçe and I hope they will come back with 3 points.