The JV Squad: 2019-2020 Uefa Europa League (UEL)

Zososoxfan

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It's everyone's favorite tier 2 3 4 squads playing in a cup that ends in Gdansk, Poland (how does a consonant have an accent mark Poland?!?). All jokes aside, this tournament is awesome once it reaches the knockouts and features a lot of interesting clubs and players.

Can anyone tell me if there are any qualification spots that could change based on results today? I'm too lazy to figure it out, but I'm totally down to watch the last 10 mins of these matches as they go bonkers.
 

Zososoxfan

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I just read that the only English US broadcast of UEL is on B/R Live until the finals. TUDN is broadcasting one match per slot. Is this correct? If so, how are UEFA and La Liga making such poor decisions regarding US broadcasting? I mean, I get that they are probably getting bowled over with the cash offer, but if they want the rights to continue increasing in value don't they actually have to get eyeballs??!?
 

Zososoxfan

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In
Wolves
Basel
Neverlusen
Istanbul
Roma
Linz
Wolfsburg
Getafe
Shakhtar
Copenhagen
Inter
United
Sevilla

Notably Out
Espanyol
Ajax
Porto
Sporting
Benfica


Arsenal???

Rough day for the Primeira
 

Zososoxfan

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R16 draw:

Instanbul-Copenhagen
Olympiakos-Wolves
Rangers-Leverkusen
Wolfsburg-Shakhtar
Inter-Getafe
Sevilla-Roma
Frankfurt (likely)-Basel
LASK-United

I have no idea about some of these teams, but Wolves, Leverkusen, Wolfsburg, Inter, Roma, United would be a helluva QF field.
 

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Continental play resumes tomorrow with half of the R16 bracket, home teams listed first:

Shahktar Donetsk (2) vs Wolfsburg (1) (12:55pm ET)
Copenhagen (0) vs Basaksehir (1) (12:55pm ET)
Man United (5) vs LASK (0) (3:00pm ET)
Inter vs Getafe (3:00pm ET)

With the other half to follow on Thursday:

Sevilla vs Roma (12:55pm ET)
Leverkusen (3) vs Rangers (1) (12:55pm ET)
Basel (3) vs Eintracht Frankfurt (0) (3:00pm ET)
Wolves (1) vs Olympiacos (1) (3:00pm ET)

Sevilla-Roma didn't play their first leg, so they are playing at a neutral venue (Duisberg). Likewise Inter-Getafe didn't play a first leg, so their single-legged tie will be at Schalke.

QFs and the rest will be at similarly neutral venues in Germany, mostly Cologne and Dusseldorf, all of them single-legged affairs starting at 9pm CEST / 3pm ET: 2 QFs next Monday, 2 QFs next Tuesday, the SFs on Sun 8/16 and Mon 8/17, and the final on Friday 8/21.

I'm 100% rooting for Wolves all the way. To get a sense of the stakes for the other teams remaining, based on their domestic finish, here's their European futures:

Already qualified for 20-21 Champions League: Man United, Sevilla, Inter, Başakşehir, Shakhtar Donetsk, Olympiacos

Qualified for 20-21 Europa League (but only UCL if they win EL title): Roma, Leverkusen, Wolfsburg, Rangers, LASK, Copenhagen, Basel

Not qualified for either, so win the thing or no Europe for you: Wolves, Frankfurt, Getafe
 

Zososoxfan

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Wolfsburg. Shahktar. Copenhagen. And Basaksehir! Get into It!! The ads write themselves folks #UEL

I don't think I could name a single player from those clubs. Wolfsburg have had some outstanding players come thru recently but I think they're all gone. Brooks it still there! (?). Weghorst, a 27 year old striker is their highest valued player. I'll also keep an eye out for Arnold (CMF), Schlager (CMF), Roussillon (LB), and Brekalo (LW).

Shahktar is comprised almost entirely of Ukrainians, second rate Brazilians, and second rate Brazilians that have become nationalized Ukrainian citizens. Muito legal!

Copenhagen has no one of real note. Basaksehir...

Inter-Getafe should be real fun. The shithousery will be off the charts if nothing else. Getafe would be comfortable on a rugby pitch, so it'll be fun to see how that style plays against some bona fide Italians. Mamma Mia!! Lautaro alone is worth watching. It will be fun to see old friend Eriksen, Lukaku is still fun to watch for me, and Conte's histrionics are a self parody.
 

InstaFace

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It says CBS, but I think that means CBS All Access (the online streaming). CBS Sports Network is airing them on tape-delay at 11:00pm tonight, 7:30pm tomorrow night (!). Probably condensed games.
 

Quintanariffic

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I"m just coming into this thread to express disappointment that the NIT Tournament name was not invoked in its title.

Oh, and Haji Wright just transferred on a free to some Swedish club that is in the UEL this year, so there's your relevant content.

Edit: He went to a Danish club b/c of course TB is on the case.
 

Titans Bastard

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Basaksehir does have Demba Ba. Scored 15 goals this season. Top scorer for the 2012 Newcastle that nearly made Top 4.
They've also got some other old names from the ghosts of big clubs past: Gael Clichy, Martin Skrtel & Gokhan Inler. NYRB reject Fredrik Gulbrandsen wears the #9!! (though he's not a regular starter)


Copenhagen has no one of real note.
Bryan Oviedo! Don't act like you haven't watched too many Ticos games, or Sunderland 'Til I Die. Ragnar Sigurdsson is getting old now, but he's had stints in big leagues and was a big part of the old Iceland "viking clap" team exploits.

Wolfsburg: they lost because they were too cowardly to start ULY LLANEZ, obviously.

Inter: Victor Moses is still under contract at Chelsea?

Shakhtar: I saw lots of their fans when I was visiting Kiev in 2012 and Shakhtar were in town for the Ukrainian cup final. I appreciate the orange, an underrepresented color in this sport.

Getafe: I got nothing.

LASK: I appreciate them for both getting points deducted and choking down the stretch, which helped Jesse Marsch win an Austrian double this season with RB Salzburg.
 

Tangled Up In Red

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Shaktar scored 3 goals from 89th minute on while playing 10v10 (John Brooks was one of the two red carded)
Kinda wild finish considering they had only a 1 goal aggregate lead going in.
 

Titans Bastard

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Shaktar scored 3 goals from 89th minute on while playing 10v10 (John Brooks was one of the two red carded)
Kinda wild finish considering they had only a 1 goal aggregate lead going in.
Shakhtar really had to....dig deep.

 

InstaFace

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You know, I generally root against Italian teams, but this Inter squad has some really enjoyable players to watch. Lukaku, Eriksen, Godin, Lautaro, Alexis Sanchez... not to mention Conte going mad on the sidelines.

Wolves really has their work cut out for them. First at home vs Olympiacos tomorrow, then Sevilla or Roma, neither of them pushovers, then likely Man United, all just to reach the final.
 

Zososoxfan

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They've also got some other old names from the ghosts of big clubs past: Gael Clichy, Martin Skrtel & Gokhan Inler. NYRB reject Fredrik Gulbrandsen wears the #9!! (though he's not a regular starter)




Bryan Oviedo! Don't act like you haven't watched too many Ticos games, or Sunderland 'Til I Die. Ragnar Sigurdsson is getting old now, but he's had stints in big leagues and was a big part of the old Iceland "viking clap" team exploits.

Wolfsburg: they lost because they were too cowardly to start ULY LLANEZ, obviously.

Inter: Victor Moses is still under contract at Chelsea?

Shakhtar: I saw lots of their fans when I was visiting Kiev in 2012 and Shakhtar were in town for the Ukrainian cup final. I appreciate the orange, an underrepresented color in this sport.

Getafe: I got nothing.

LASK: I appreciate them for both getting points deducted and choking down the stretch, which helped Jesse Marsch win an Austrian double this season with RB Salzburg.
I just think the Netherlands NT scared everyone off because it's always the side I'll associate with orange in the sport. That said, Wolves' unique pantone is pretty memorable, Hull is also closely associated, and Valencia (Oranges!!) also frequently feature Naranja. We really need @dirtynine to guide us into the best use of the color though!
 

Titans Bastard

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I just think the Netherlands NT scared everyone off because it's always the side I'll associate with orange in the sport. That said, Wolves' unique pantone is pretty memorable, Hull is also closely associated, and Valencia (Oranges!!) also frequently feature Naranja. We really need @dirtynine to guide us into the best use of the color though!
Houston Dynamo also rep orange well.

Pink is the truly underrepresented look: it's Palermo, Cerezo Osaka, and ????. Too bad the decision-makers behind Inter Miami's inaugural jerseys are gutless cowards.

That said, among small clubs, shoutout to Forward Madison:




There's an English non-League club that has a unique pink and brown look...

 

teddykgb

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There may not be anyone who hates VAR more than me here but the ref in Inter v Leverkeusen was about to award a crap pen to Inter and used VaR well to reverse his decision. So VAR can get one on the scoreboard
 

Zososoxfan

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Really fun matches yesterday. I'll be watching almost all the matches this week after the workday is over so I can watch in peace.

Inter looked really strong for the most part, especially in the MF and attack. Lukaku had an excellent match and probably should've had more than one goal. I didn't watch the first half as closely, but in the 2nd half Alexis Sanchez even looked good and Eriksen was running around and doing his thing. Barella also had a great match and had an early goal to show for his efforts. The back did look shaky at times though, as Godin has lost a step, he and De Vrij sometimes weren't on the same page, and there was space on the flanks in Inter's slightly unusual setup. I didn't think Leverkusen looked that good and Inter deserve credit for that. Haavertz was mostly shut down although there was some real slick build up play on the goal. The forwards all left some chances there at the end.

In the other matchup, I thought Copenhagen looked really good for the most part. United looked disjointed other than Martial and I think that's mostly due to Copenhagen's well-drilled team movement. Martial had an outstanding match and was involved in creating almost all of United's chances in the 2nd half and ET. I think there's some truth to the Penchester United meme, but yesterday Martial was buzzing the box nonstop and had earned a pen. Rashford really struggled on the wing even though he beat his defender a few times, Pogba still doesn't look that good, Fernandes wasn't patient, and Greenwood was a mixed bag. I also thought Copenhagen were unlucky not to put one in during the last hour of the match. Wan Bissaka saved United's ass after an incredibly slick back heel self pass in the box got Copenhagen a shot from point blank range with Romero all but beat. Lastly, Copenhagen's keeper Johnsson had 5-6 otherworldly saves and you could tell that United were just incredulous by how long he kept them out.

Inter-United is a fucking awesome UEL semifinal.

Wolves-Sevilla today has a ton of potential to be fun. Lisbon North is the EPL neutral darling with Neves, Traore, Dendocker, Jota, and Gimenez forming a very strong and attacking-minded core. Nuno Santo's beard holds special powers. Sevilla are the UEL traditionalists and they bring a fair amount of firepower to this match as well. Ocampos is the real deal and an outstanding striker. Munir also still has elite skills, Nesyri is in good form, Banega can still unlock defenses, and they're very solid at the back. This side finished even on points with Atleti and only behind Barca and Real. Lopetegui obviously made some weird choices and decisions at Real and surrounding WC 2018, but he's still not a slouch. They're very fucking good.

In the other side, we have our most UEL matchup in Basel vs. Shakhtar. I don't enough about these clubs to say much, other than Donetsk has lots of Brazilians. Although it appears this may be a matchup of matching 4-2-3-1s, hopefully we get an open match with lots of chances.
 

InstaFace

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Man United must not win this trophy, since it's meaningless to them. Likewise for Sevilla, except you can't really root against them in the EL because it's hilarious how often they've won it. I'll be rooting for whoever has the better chance to undress United, though, which I think is likely Wolves.

Also, the Copenhagen goalie, Johnsson, had a nearly Tim Howard-vs-Belgium level game, and was only beaten by a borderline penalty call in extra time. Methinks his club is going to get some calls about him from some bigger pockets.
 

Morgan's Magic Snowplow

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I'm pulling for Sevilla. Wolves and United have produced some incredibly boring matches lately: They played three times in the space of a month at the beginning of 2020 and combined to score a grand total of one goal. Granted that was all pre-Bruno arrival, but I'm not exactly itching to see round four.
 

coremiller

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I respect Wolves for sticking to their guns tactically and punching above their weight in terms of results. But their style produces some really really boring matches.
The three times per match Traore gets to run at defenders at full speed are fun, but yeah, the rest of it is pretty dull.
 

Morgan's Magic Snowplow

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United-Sevilla
Inter-Shakhtar

I would not be all that confident about the favorites winning here. Shakhtar looked really good in battering Basel and who knows how Inter is dealing with all the uncertainty surrounding Conte's future. United clearly have more talent but seem susceptible to well drilled teams that can run them over in midfield, which I think Sevilla might be able to do.
 

Morgan's Magic Snowplow

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With the Juve job gone is there still an uncertainty about Contes future?
I haven’t followed the story closely but my understanding is that the friction between Conte and Inter higher ups has very little to do with the Juventus job (and much more to do with internal power struggles and Conte being an asshole).
 

InstaFace

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All 4 EL teams remaining have already qualified for the Champions League Group Stage next year via domestic competition, so there's basically nothing at stake except a nifty trophy. If I were a team in the competition, I'd send my first team home to rest.
 

Zososoxfan

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I respect Wolves for sticking to their guns tactically and punching above their weight in terms of results. But their style produces some really really boring matches.
I've watched more than a handful of Wolves matches this year, and don't remember any of them as dull as this. Is this how they typically roll? They were in a defensive shell the entire second half and it wasn't all that interesting. I thought Lopetegui waited 15-20 minutes too long to make his changes. Nesyri is a nice player, but after an hour he looked pretty beat. Jordan didn't do anything memorable either, so the subs were intelligent, just late. Ocampos is a bawse, although I'm surprised to see him operating so much from the wing. When I've seen him at his best he's central, but I guess he needs the space in front of him to run into. I really liked Suso this match and thought he did really well against a packed in and disciplined defense. The Sevilla CBs are also really really good, especially Kounde. That kid will be at Barca, Real, or a top 4 EPL side sooner than later. Banega is such an interesting player--rare to see a guy his age dictate an entire match, pop up in a few different positions, and go the full 90. A gem.

United-Sevilla
Inter-Shakhtar

I would not be all that confident about the favorites winning here. Shakhtar looked really good in battering Basel and who knows how Inter is dealing with all the uncertainty surrounding Conte's future. United clearly have more talent but seem susceptible to well drilled teams that can run them over in midfield, which I think Sevilla might be able to do.
United-Sevilla should be a really good matchup. Should be very fun to see how Sevilla's strong backline deals against United's talented attackers. It's rare for the likes of Martial, Rashford, et al to have the defenders they're up against be as fast as they are. United are likely to attack Navas hard, so I think Lopetegui will need to think about shielding him more than usual--likely with Fernando. United's MF will have their work cut out for them trying to deal with some slick passers and very good possession-style players. I do like Ocampos' chances against Williams or whoever United stick at LB, but at least Maguire will be there to help a bit (Maguire does play a bit of LCB, yes?).

I do not share your enthusiasm for Shakhtar's chances against Inter. This is a pretty complete Inter side and the attack is damn good.
 

Zososoxfan

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All 4 EL teams remaining have already qualified for the Champions League Group Stage next year via domestic competition, so there's basically nothing at stake except a nifty trophy. If I were a team in the competition, I'd send my first team home to rest.
UEFA should shift some money from UCL to UEL. The winning club wins $8.5M (E). It's kind of a joke as it stands now. Leaving that aside however, these are competitors, the 3 clubs not from the Ukraine are very deep and there is competition for starting spots, and they will certainly take pride in competing.
 

Morgan's Magic Snowplow

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Death, taxes, and Man United getting penalties.

Fwiw, that is a situation that really should be called a penalty - the foul couldn't be more obvious - but is very very often not called a penalty.
 

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So it should have been a penalty, it was called a penalty, it was an obvious foul, but because it was United people will complain.
 

Morgan's Magic Snowplow

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Pogba has been really really good. That last sequence was class where he faked to head clear by his own box and instead controlled and hit Rashford to start a break. And he's been bossing it in midfield in general.

This has been a really chippy match and it feels like one in which the referee could lose control a bit.
 

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United don't look as sharp as they did a few weeks ago but hopefully they can come good in the second half. Rashford has been poor and Martial missed a great chance to go ahead again.

Pogba and Fred have been great.
 

ElUno20

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I dont understand this style (not just united everywhere) of working your ass off to drive the ball in deep and then...passing it all the back and lightly jogging around. Keep the pressure on
 

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Ugh. Unlucky for United. Those chances at the beginning of the second half came back to haunt them.

Sevilla's play acting and referee bullying was out of control. Hope whoever plays them beats them soundly.
 

Titans Bastard

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Sevilla truly are the GOAT of Europa League.

The EPL is out of Europe entirely now.
 

wonderland

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United don't look as sharp as they did a few weeks ago but hopefully they can come good in the second half. Rashford has been poor and Martial missed a great chance to go ahead again.

Pogba and Fred have been great.
Too many minutes for the same guys and losing Shaw. Williams offers nothing going forward.