⚽UEFA Europa League Discussion Thread -- 2023/24 | SFs

[Docnaster]

 Leicester used to be a hard but to crack especially for top clubs like Manchester united, chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal. But it was so exciting to see Manchester united dominating through out the match. And i'm sure that Ten hag is setting the system to do more bith in the EPL. And Europa league.
  It's not going to be easy for xavi in Old Trafford. Manchester United is becoming more formidable than it was and I believe it is Ten Hag's only way of proving his work Excellence in England for this season.

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[Masplanc]

As for Lewandowski, he hasn't still proven himself with Barcelona jersey against big teams. He has always had problems on scoring goals against them. Teams like Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are good examples for this.

For this reason, I will be curious about his performance against Manchester United as well. There is a long time until then so it is more than enough time for Lewandowski to focus on improving this weakness of him now. Barcelona need him in this kind of matches to be more successful. Of course he isn't the one to blame for their unsuccessful run in the Champions League. But he needs to contribute in some way in big matches too. If he plays strongly against Manchester United this would be a big advantage for Barcelona to reach next stage.

I think Lewandowski have more focus in laliga,  he has always performed very well in most games in laliga. 
The truth is that Lewandowski have really played good role for Barcelona this season,  he doesn't matter if he hasn't scored goals when playing with big teams.

[Docnaster]

As for Lewandowski, he hasn't still proven himself with Barcelona jersey against big teams. He has always had problems on scoring goals against them. Teams like Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are good examples for this.

For this reason, I will be curious about his performance against Manchester United as well. There is a long time until then so it is more than enough time for Lewandowski to focus on improving this weakness of him now. Barcelona need him in this kind of matches to be more successful. Of course he isn't the one to blame for their unsuccessful run in the Champions League. But he needs to contribute in some way in big matches too. If he plays strongly against Manchester United this would be a big advantage for Barcelona to reach next stage.

I think Lewandowski have more focus in laliga,  he has always performed very well in most games in laliga. 
The truth is that Lewandowski have really played good role for Barcelona this season,  he doesn't matter if he hasn't scored goals when playing with big teams.

It matters. U can't tell. as a professional,  I know when things are really not working well and when things are in order. Lewandowsky is having decline in his scoring rate and pretty sure he knows about it. Barcelona isn't feeding him as much has it was in Bayern. If paredventure Lewandowsky moves to Clubs like Manchester city, u will really understand the differences.

[bitgolden]

I think Lewandowski have more focus in laliga,  he has always performed very well in most games in laliga. 
The truth is that Lewandowski have really played good role for Barcelona this season,  he doesn't matter if he hasn't scored goals when playing with big teams.

It matters. U can't tell. as a professional,  I know when things are really not working well and when things are in order. Lewandowsky is having decline in his scoring rate and pretty sure he knows about it. Barcelona isn't feeding him as much has it was in Bayern. If paredventure Lewandowsky moves to Clubs like Manchester city, u will really understand the differences.

I think "decline in scoring" is an unfair judgement of how he has been. First of all, even the fact that he gets so many defenders on him from his sheer talent is enough for others to have open shots, because this literally happens every 30 minutes each game, someone gets a good chance wide open against goalkeeper, because defenders were all on Lewandowski, which is a great contribution without showing up on stats.

Secondly, he is on a new team, compared to the team he played 150 years for (lol) of course he will have some hard time adjusting to the new system, but he is doing a bang up job at la liga, and I am sure next season he will be even better, back to his old numbers maybe.

[slaman29]

Can someone tell Rashford to please take a break so my team can win tonight??

It matters. U can't tell. as a professional,  I know when things are really not working well and when things are in order. Lewandowsky is having decline in his scoring rate and pretty sure he knows about it. Barcelona isn't feeding him as much has it was in Bayern. If paredventure Lewandowsky moves to Clubs like Manchester city, u will really understand the differences.

I didn't know you're a professional, what is your job and why haven't I seen you in any of the paid pools (sorry if you are in, I can't recall ever seeing your name).

Not sure what you mean by paredventure but I sort of get you. Same with Haaland. Move him to a club that doesn't feed him and he'll also "decline"

I think "decline in scoring" is an unfair judgement of how he has been. First of all, even the fact that he gets so many defenders on him from his sheer talent is enough for others to have open shots, because this literally happens every 30 minutes each game, someone gets a good chance wide open against goalkeeper, because defenders were all on Lewandowski, which is a great contribution without showing up on stats.

Secondly, he is on a new team, compared to the team he played 150 years for (lol) of course he will have some hard time adjusting to the new system, but he is doing a bang up job at la liga, and I am sure next season he will be even better, back to his old numbers maybe.

I think it's fair. I like him and I'm Barca, and his scoring rate has declined. That's a fact. But it is a dumb fact, because he has scored 20 goals this season already (okay 18 for Barca 2 for World Cup). When you hit crazy highs, you kinda have to decline. Like Bitcoin ATH and price declines

However, It would be unfair to say he is a player in decline, for the reasons you say.

[temple]

Can someone tell Rashford to please take a break so my team can win tonight??

It matters. U can't tell. as a professional,  I know when things are really not working well and when things are in order. Lewandowsky is having decline in his scoring rate and pretty sure he knows about it. Barcelona isn't feeding him as much has it was in Bayern. If paredventure Lewandowsky moves to Clubs like Manchester city, u will really understand the differences.

I didn't know you're a professional, what is your job and why haven't I seen you in any of the paid pools (sorry if you are in, I can't recall ever seeing your name).

Not sure what you mean by paredventure but I sort of get you. Same with Haaland. Move him to a club that doesn't feed him and he'll also "decline"

I think "decline in scoring" is an unfair judgement of how he has been. First of all, even the fact that he gets so many defenders on him from his sheer talent is enough for others to have open shots, because this literally happens every 30 minutes each game, someone gets a good chance wide open against goalkeeper, because defenders were all on Lewandowski, which is a great contribution without showing up on stats.

Secondly, he is on a new team, compared to the team he played 150 years for (lol) of course he will have some hard time adjusting to the new system, but he is doing a bang up job at la liga, and I am sure next season he will be even better, back to his old numbers maybe.

I think it's fair. I like him and I'm Barca, and his scoring rate has declined. That's a fact. But it is a dumb fact, because he has scored 20 goals this season already (okay 18 for Barca 2 for World Cup). When you hit crazy highs, you kinda have to decline. Like Bitcoin ATH and price declines

However, It would be unfair to say he is a player in decline, for the reasons you say.

Your discussion is a nice read but I don't understand why you say that Haaland would "decline" if you send him to a club that doesn't feed him. First of all, any club would feed him because he simply is the best on the field and the best to finish. Every club would feed him to the best of their abilities because it is the smartest thing to do. Additionally, check out his scores at RedBull Salzburg, at Borussia Dortmund, and now at Manchester City in a brutally strong league. He is breaking records in the EPL like nobody else ever did before. Haaland is probably going to pulverize Shearer's and Cole's record of 34 goals in a season unless he gets injured.

I know a lot of people talk about how players get fed and there is some truth to that, but thinking rationally about it makes me conclude that I would also feed the best player on the pitch if the situation allows it. The best aren't the best because the get fed, but they get fed because they are the best.

I will admit though that there are some players who aren't really the best but are still able to score more in a good team than in a bad team. No doubt that that is also happening. But whether you are outstanding or not is also an important question because you might have players around you that prefer to score themselves if they have the ability to do so.

Lewandowski also left out some chances so far for Barcelona that he didn't leave out during the excellent years he had in Bayern. But he is still scoring very well this season. As you said if you scored that many goals at some point you can only "decline". It is like Ronaldo and Messi when they scored 48 and 50 goals, respectively. Your next season can only get worse

[slaman29]

Your discussion is a nice read but I don't understand why you say that Haaland would "decline" if you send him to a club that doesn't feed him. First of all, any club would feed him because he simply is the best on the field and the best to finish. Every club would feed him to the best of their abilities because it is the smartest thing to do. Additionally, check out his scores at RedBull Salzburg, at Borussia Dortmund, and now at Manchester City in a brutally strong league. He is breaking records in the EPL like nobody else ever did before. Haaland is probably going to pulverize Shearer's and Cole's record of 34 goals in a season unless he gets injured.

I know a lot of people talk about how players get fed and there is some truth to that, but thinking rationally about it makes me conclude that I would also feed the best player on the pitch if the situation allows it. The best aren't the best because the get fed, but they get fed because they are the best.

I will admit though that there are some players who aren't really the best but are still able to score more in a good team than in a bad team. No doubt that that is also happening. But whether you are outstanding or not is also an important question because you might have players around you that prefer to score themselves if they have the ability to do so.

Lewandowski also left out some chances so far for Barcelona that he didn't leave out during the excellent years he had in Bayern. But he is still scoring very well this season. As you said if you scored that many goals at some point you can only "decline". It is like Ronaldo and Messi when they scored 48 and 50 goals, respectively. Your next season can only get worse

Dude, I literally made a specific difference that I commented on "decline" regarding goals, not decline in general.

"Any club would feed him" is ignorant of the fact that you need good feeders. He had a great midfield at Dortmund and the best feeder in the world in City (Kevin de Bruyne) and even then, like now if teams discover how to keep the feeders quiet like you can see in past few games, then the goals do not come.

You want an example check out Ronaldo at Al Nassr. Or even at United when the feeders had bad form.

Send Haaland to let us say Jablonec or Lincoln Red Imps (this is Europa not even Conference) and see how well clubs can feed him.

But definitely, we talk about "decline" in different context. Goals can only decline after breaking records

[LTU_btc]

It's time for 2nd leg games and only Sevilla have more significant advantage, but I wouldn't be that much surprised if PSV will make a comeback. My main bets today is Juventus and Sporting ML. In first leg both very heavy favorrites, but failed to win. Despite playing away, they're still favorites.
Offcourse, I put bet on Barca win, I believe in my team, even if we aren't favorites. But I have bad feeling, mainly because all these terrible performances in knockout stages in few past seasons.
And also, Union to qualify @1.65, they're just looking better now, but everything still can happen here.

[temple]

Your discussion is a nice read but I don't understand why you say that Haaland would "decline" if you send him to a club that doesn't feed him. First of all, any club would feed him because he simply is the best on the field and the best to finish. Every club would feed him to the best of their abilities because it is the smartest thing to do. Additionally, check out his scores at RedBull Salzburg, at Borussia Dortmund, and now at Manchester City in a brutally strong league. He is breaking records in the EPL like nobody else ever did before. Haaland is probably going to pulverize Shearer's and Cole's record of 34 goals in a season unless he gets injured.

I know a lot of people talk about how players get fed and there is some truth to that, but thinking rationally about it makes me conclude that I would also feed the best player on the pitch if the situation allows it. The best aren't the best because the get fed, but they get fed because they are the best.

I will admit though that there are some players who aren't really the best but are still able to score more in a good team than in a bad team. No doubt that that is also happening. But whether you are outstanding or not is also an important question because you might have players around you that prefer to score themselves if they have the ability to do so.

Lewandowski also left out some chances so far for Barcelona that he didn't leave out during the excellent years he had in Bayern. But he is still scoring very well this season. As you said if you scored that many goals at some point you can only "decline". It is like Ronaldo and Messi when they scored 48 and 50 goals, respectively. Your next season can only get worse

Dude, I literally made a specific difference that I commented on "decline" regarding goals, not decline in general.

"Any club would feed him" is ignorant of the fact that you need good feeders. He had a great midfield at Dortmund and the best feeder in the world in City (Kevin de Bruyne) and even then, like now if teams discover how to keep the feeders quiet like you can see in past few games, then the goals do not come.

You want an example check out Ronaldo at Al Nassr. Or even at United when the feeders had bad form.

Send Haaland to let us say Jablonec or Lincoln Red Imps (this is Europa not even Conference) and see how well clubs can feed him.

But definitely, we talk about "decline" in different context. Goals can only decline after breaking records

How realistic are your examples now talking about sending him to Jablonec? What is that that you are trying to convey? Why not amputate a leg and then see how he is doing?

Salzburg is a great example, that makes more sense then the stuff you are bringing up here. Let's see, but only the Champions League because otherwise you woudl say that Austrian soccer is too weak and Salzburg too strong:

Haaland just turned 19 and scored a hattrick, three goals in the first half, in his first game in the Champions League against Genk. Genk? They are weak, ok no big deal.

Next game against Liverpool at Anfield, he scored again one goal. Against Napoli he added two more goals. "His six goals were also the most scored by any player in their first three Champions League matches."

Next game against Napoli? Scored again one goal.

A couple of days later against Wolfsberger AC? His fifth hattrick of the season on November 10th!!

With all due respect, but I doubt that Salzburg belongs to the best feeding teams out there.

With your last sentence I agree fully, when you break records or set them yourself, at some point you are going to "decline" That is true!


Now we are all patiently waiting for Manchester United against Barcelona. This is quite the highlight given that this is not the Champions League

[Trofo]

Offcourse, I put bet on Barca win, I believe in my team, even if we aren't favorites. But I have bad feeling, mainly because all these terrible performances in knockout stages in few past seasons.

I am thinking United is probably closer to qualification today than Barca, both teams are much better on home ground and Rashford is in incredible form. My bet as usual is both to score and I hope that will pass as easy as last week. Barca missing Pedri, Gavi and Dembele will be much weaker for sure so I really hope game goes your way, that basically means mine bet passes as well 

[casperBGD]

Offcourse, I put bet on Barca win, I believe in my team, even if we aren't favorites. But I have bad feeling, mainly because all these terrible performances in knockout stages in few past seasons.

I am thinking United is probably closer to qualification today than Barca, both teams are much better on home ground and Rashford is in incredible form. My bet as usual is both to score and I hope that will pass as easy as last week. Barca missing Pedri, Gavi and Dembele will be much weaker for sure so I really hope game goes your way, that basically means mine bet passes as well 

have no favorites tonight, and my ship has sink in Conference league, so will just enjoy the match
Rashford and Osimneh are probably two players in best form atm, and that could mean a lot in matches like this one tonight, but my thoughts are with Barca to pass through somehow

not sure about goals, hopefully BTTS will pass, but United has solid defense looking at their last matches, they pretty much polished it with clean sheets

Sporting and Juventus proved that home ground advantage doesn't mean shit, if you are stronger opponent

[LTU_btc]

What I can say, MU deserved to reach next round. Another season in Europe to forget for Barca. In first hal everything looked OK more or lesa, but second half was very solid from MU, Barca had nothing to offer against them. Maybe Pedri and Gavi wouldn't saved us, but their absense was big factor.
Monaco - Bayer, this pair was crazy roller coaster, nothing surprising that winner of it was decided in penalty shootout. Congrats to Bayer.
What did I said about PSV - Sevilla? PSV was indeed close to make a comeback, but de Jong goal was cancelled after VAR review. And when they scored second goal it was too late already.
Very interesting game between Union and Ajax. This season European campaign for Ajax is complete disaster. And now we still have Extra Time between Rennes and Shakhtar.

[Joca97]

What I can say, MU deserved to reach next round. Another season in Europe to forget for Barca. In first hal everything looked OK more or lesa, but second half was very solid from MU, Barca had nothing to offer against them. Maybe Pedri and Gavi wouldn't saved us, but their absense was big factor.
Monaco - Bayer, this pair was crazy roller coaster, nothing surprising that winner of it was decided in penalty shootout. Congrats to Bayer.
What did I said about PSV - Sevilla? PSV was indeed close to make a comeback, but de Jong goal was cancelled after VAR review. And when they scored second goal it was too late already.
Very interesting game between Union and Ajax. This season European campaign for Ajax is complete disaster. And now we still have Extra Time between Rennes and Shakhtar.

Barcelona had a lead and they even had a momentum in this match but just wasnt able to keep up the entire match with Man Utd. Man Utd are playing really good this year and i think they can win the entire thing after beating one of the main favorites for the title.

[Dewi Aries]

What I can say, MU deserved to reach next round. Another season in Europe to forget for Barca. In first hal everything looked OK more or lesa, but second half was very solid from MU, Barca had nothing to offer against them. Maybe Pedri and Gavi wouldn't saved us, but their absense was big factor.
Monaco - Bayer, this pair was crazy roller coaster, nothing surprising that winner of it was decided in penalty shootout. Congrats to Bayer.
What did I said about PSV - Sevilla? PSV was indeed close to make a comeback, but de Jong goal was cancelled after VAR review. And when they scored second goal it was too late already.
Very interesting game between Union and Ajax. This season European campaign for Ajax is complete disaster. And now we still have Extra Time between Rennes and Shakhtar.

Barcelona had a lead and they even had a momentum in this match but just wasnt able to keep up the entire match with Man Utd. Man Utd are playing really good this year and i think they can win the entire thing after beating one of the main favorites for the title.

After Barcelona was knocked out then there will be Roma and Juventus as tough opponents for Manchester United
Obviously Man Utd are the favourites after defeating the strongest candidate then we will wait to see who their opponent  in the final
I hope it is Juventus as an equal opponent so we can watch the real final.

[slaman29]

How realistic are your examples now talking about sending him to Jablonec? What is that that you are trying to convey? Why not amputate a leg and then see how he is doing?

Salzburg is a great example, that makes more sense then the stuff you are bringing up here. Let's see, but only the Champions League because otherwise you woudl say that Austrian soccer is too weak and Salzburg too strong:

Haaland just turned 19 and scored a hattrick, three goals in the first half, in his first game in the Champions League against Genk. Genk? They are weak, ok no big deal.

Next game against Liverpool at Anfield, he scored again one goal. Against Napoli he added two more goals. "His six goals were also the most scored by any player in their first three Champions League matches."

Next game against Napoli? Scored again one goal.

A couple of days later against Wolfsberger AC? His fifth hattrick of the season on November 10th!!

With all due respect, but I doubt that Salzburg belongs to the best feeding teams out there.

With your last sentence I agree fully, when you break records or set them yourself, at some point you are going to "decline" That is true!


Now we are all patiently waiting for Manchester United against Barcelona. This is quite the highlight given that this is not the Champions League

Again you have completely ignored the whole string of original comments, and now threaten that I want to derail it by talking about amputating legs. Man.

Salzburg, literally, has been called a feeder team (in a different context of course but Google it lol). Still, I would argue they are good enough to feed a striker like Haaland. They supply all the talents for Leipzig and beyond and yes, they are a good club. They literally groom talent and for someone like Haaland to succeed they have to literally set systems for him.

Anyway, enough about going about in circles. You call me out, at least call out properly. You said ANY club would feed him, so why are you surprised by my examples? Then don't say ANY club. Would Nottingham Forest be better if they could afford him instead of buying 30 players?  And stop quoting entire posts it's frowned on

Barca out, so my mood is down and less interested anyway, but what are your thoughts on the ones left? Can United win Europa? Did you win any actual bets? I have not shared a good win in a while.

[Balmain]

I would never have thought that these two teams would meet in the round qualifiers in the European UEFA league. It was a legendary match in both games. Especially yesterday, Manchester United underlined the trophy with their comeback, and now I see the most favorite United after this win. On the return from Manchester United, the attacks in the goals scored by Antony and Fred were very pure and the finishing of the attackers was very clear. We have seen better why Eric Tan Hag wanted Antony so much and gave him a chance in this match. It was a masterful goal.

[Silence Scream]

I would never have thought that these two teams would meet in the round qualifiers in the European UEFA league. It was a legendary match in both games. Especially yesterday, Manchester United underlined the trophy with their comeback, and now I see the most favorite United after this win. On the return from Manchester United, the attacks in the goals scored by Antony and Fred were very pure and the finishing of the attackers was very clear. We have seen better why Eric Tan Hag wanted Antony so much and gave him a chance in this match. It was a masterful goal.

Manchester United are not the only favourites.  Arsenal, Juventus, Roma are strong teams and are considered favorites for the cup.  At the moment, Manchester United's other rival is Real Betis, one of the strongest teams in La Liga.  Manchester United will be strong enough to eliminate Real Betis.  We will watch 2 good matches again.

[execijutiere]

When I look at the matches, I can say that the favorite teams for me to make it through the round are as follows.
Union Berlin,Fenerbahçe,Juventus,Leverkusen,Arsenal,United,Roma and Feyenoord.
I think that these teams will be the teams that will make the round from the matches. This is my current opinion, there may be injured players according to the match time.

[Joca97]

When I look at the matches, I can say that the favorite teams for me to make it through the round are as follows.
Union Berlin,Fenerbahçe,Juventus,Leverkusen,Arsenal,United,Roma and Feyenoord.
I think that these teams will be the teams that will make the round from the matches. This is my current opinion, there may be injured players according to the match time.

Union Berlin wasnt a favorite in the duel against Ajax but they played really good and deserved to win and advance into the next stage. Leverkusen also barely passed Monaco over penalties and really got lucky in the end. Still will be intresting to see who will win it all.

[samcoin]

Barcelona had a lead and they even had a momentum in this match but just wasnt able to keep up the entire match with Man Utd. Man Utd are playing really good this year and i think they can win the entire thing after beating one of the main favorites for the title.

Barcelona are playing well in La Liga, and it seems they are forced to focus on only one competition, because the status of the team doesn't help them to compete for many titles. In addition, Xavi still has problems on the European side, as Barcelona won only 4 European matches out of 16 played under Xavi's management. I think the better team has qualified, and Barcelona need to support their team with more experienced stars for the next Champions League, considering that they have amazing young players who will improve over the time.