Who is ready for some Europa League action? Anybody? No?
Yes, tonight we have the final group stages of this year’s Europa League and Newcastle, Liverpool and Spurs are all in action.
Many mock the competition and its status as a ‘poor man’s Champions League’ but, believe it or not, Chelsea and Man City will be in the competition come the new year. Wait? City didn’t make it? And they spent how much? Crikey….
Regardless, I urge you to tune in this evening as the Europa League is an extremely reliable source of entertaining football. Every time I have watched it this year, it has been very good fun, especially when Liverpool are playing.
Coincidentally, Liverpool have been one of the most entertaining teams to watch this year what with Luis Suarez being a magnet for drama and Brendan Rodger’s ambitious and creative managing style.
They travel to Italy to play Udinese needing a win to secure qualification to the latter stages of the competition. Even if you’re not a Liverpool fan please watch solely for the class act that is Antonio di Natale, who has long been one of Europe’s most underrated strikers.
Newcastle have already qualified so Alan Pardew will most likely send out the ‘B’ team for this evening’s home tie against Bordeaux. A draw will see them top the group so not a total dead rubber match as Bordeaux, who are top of the group, will want to see out the group stages in style.
Spurs have to avoid defeat at home to Panathinikos to qualify for the knockout stages but a win and a Lazio loss will ensure AVB’s men top the group. Imagine if they lost, though, and it’s egg on face time for AVB (sounds like a Thunderbird).
The competition looks to be shaping up nicely, too, with a bunch of good teams advancing to the latter stages. Last season’s winners Atletico Madrid (Falcao anyone?) are through, not to mention Napoli and Inter Milan (!).
There’s three more reasons to watch this season’s Europa League, what more do you want?
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