Traveling to Far, Desolate, and Inhospitable Places: The 2021/2022 Europa League Thread

Zososoxfan

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Oh hi! It's me, the JV squad. Did you miss me? I bet you will once you check out the Freshman team (Conference League). Hey, where's Tottenham?!?

R16 gets underway

TIL that the format for UEL has changed:

The UEFA Europa League knockout round play-offs have been introduced for the first time this season. There are 16 teams involved: the eight runners-up from the UEFA Europa League group stage and the eight third-placed teams from the UEFA Champions League group stage.

Ties are played over two legs and will conclude on Thursday 24 February; the away goals rule has been abolished. The eight winners advance to the round of 16 draw on Friday 25 February (the eight group winners have already qualified for this); the eight play-off losers will no longer be involved in 2021/22 European competition.
So there you have it. TBH, I think this is a terrific format. It rewards the UEL group winners and has yielded some darn good matchups in this round. UEL group winners were: Lyon, Monaco, Spartak, Frankfurt, Galatasaray, Red Star Belgrade, Neverlusen Leverkusen, and WHU. Pretty awesome to see fairly historic clubs in Galatasaray and Belgrade returning to some prominence. I played against a lot of club teams growing up that had Spartak in the name somewhere.

Today's matchups with home team listed first (these are also the clubs that dropped down from UCL, I think):

12:45pm EST
Barca vs. Napoli
Dortmund vs. Rangers
Sheriff vs. Braga
Zenit vs. Betis

3pm EST
Atalanta vs. Olympiakos
Porto vs. Lazio
RBL vs. Sociedad
Sevilla vs. Zagreb

This is all academic since Sevilla has already won the next 24 iterations of the UEL tournament but let's get into this anyway! What immediately jumped out at me was that out of the 4 Spanish clubs (Barca, Betis, Sociedad, and Sevilla) and the 3 Serie A clubs (Napoli, Atalanta, and Lazio) that are in this group of 24, none of them are guaranteed to make it through to the R16 as UEL group winners. All of those clubs are also having relatively good seasons too--the Spanish sides are currently 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 6th, and the Italian sides are currently 3rd, 5th, and 6th in their respective tables. I'm not sure if that's just a product of the new format, or if there's something to read into that. Compare that to Ligue 1 where Lyon (7th) and Monaco (6th) are already through, but there are no other clubs in the 24, and the Bundesliga where Frankfurt (midtable) and Leverkusen (3rd) are already through and Dortmund (2nd) and RBL (4th) are in this playoff round. The only other similar note of interest is that Porto sit 1st and Braga sit 4th in Portugal.

For Barca, this match is going to be a big challenge as Xavi has almost no one to play in defense. Araujo is questionable with a calf injury he picked up against Espanyol, and Dani Alves was left off the UEL squad list (pretty puzzling TBH). Umtiti and Lenglet are injured, so the backline is likely to be Alba-Garcia-Pique-Mingueza/Dest. Garcia has looked pretty raw this year, but unless Araujo is fit or Mingueza moves inside to CB, he's going to play. If Mingueza moves inside (his initial position before being tried at FB with decent success IIRC), that would allow Xavi to start both him and Dest if that's what he wants. I thought Pique was suspended as well, but I think that's for the next La Liga match. In that match, it'll likely be Garcia-Mingueza at CB (gulp!), although I had a funny feeling that Xavi may drop FDJ into that spot as well. Get well soon Ronald! Xavi will have pretty much everyone else available with only Memphis as a potential starter who may return. Up front, we're likely to see Torres and Adama, and we'll almost certainly see Pedri, FDJ, and Busi in the middle. That would leave one spot up for grabs.

Nevermind, I'm an idiot and the lineup has already been confirmed since it's a 12:45pm EST kickoff:

MATS
Alba-Garcia-Pique-Mingueza
Pedri-Nico-FDJ
Torres-Auba-Adama

Big takeaways here are that Xavi probably doesn't think that highly of Dest, or at least wants more defensive stability from RB from Mingueza. Might not read into it quite as much since Alba will certainly push up and Mingueza will need to stay home for balance. Busi getting a rest is nice. Will be super interested to see how Nico and FDJ are positioned, or if they're fairly fluid. Big start for Auba here over Gavi, Dembele, and Lord Martin. The entire frontline was acquired in January. Araujo didn't make the bench--hopefully they're just giving him extra rest since he'll be absolutely needed this weekend with Pique out.

Napoli are formidable up front with Osimhen at striker, Insigne at LW, Zielinski the Auto Parts King at AMF, and Elmas at RW. They're also stout down the middle with Anguissa and Ruiz in a double pivot and Koulibaly anchoring the back at CB. They'll likely lineup in a 4-2-3-1 and they're young all over the pitch. I wonder if that was one reason why Xavi is starting Busi on the bench. Should be a fun one, and I'm expecting a wild 2-2 draw.
 

Jimy Hendrix

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Rangers have put 2 up on a very sleepy Dortmund. James Sands beating Gio Reyna in the battle of NYCFC kids who are on the bench for various reasons.
 

pedro1918

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Rangers have put 2 up on a very sleepy Dortmund. James Sands beating Gio Reyna in the battle of NYCFC kids who are on the bench for various reasons.
First goal was from the spot. It was inadvertent, and VARed, but hard to argue it wasn't hand ball. I would feel better if Haaland was playing, but I don't think this is over. But you are correct, BvB needs to wake up.
 

Jimy Hendrix

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Hummels / Zagadou is a terrifying CB pairing to me if you support Dortmund. Hummels is good but a glacier, Zagadou is maybe the most overrated defender on the better European teams to my eye. I've never seen him look good.

Bellingham says game back on though!
 

Jimy Hendrix

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Guerrero practically dummied that goal into the net, Dortmund's defense is truly shambolic
 

Jimy Hendrix

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Zagadou needs a red card to complete his CB nightmare hat trick after the penalty conceded and own goal.
 

Morgan's Magic Snowplow

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BvB has been horrendous in European competition this year despite being 2nd in the Bundesliga. Ajax completely pumped them in the group stages, as did Sporting in their second match.

I think the level of the non-Bayern Bundesliga has declined quite a bit in recent years. The German youth talent pipeline hasn't been as strong and lots of players have been leaving for richer clubs.
 

Zososoxfan

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Barca were fairly bad in the first half. Napoli is very well organized and has lots of skill all over the place. I'm starting to understand why Busi gets the majority of starts at DMF. Barca's MF is a mess. Ferran had a horrible half as he badly scuffed a golden chance with just the keeper to beat, and also hit a free header wide. Adama was getting isolated on the right with Mingueza arriving late and Pedri preferring to drift left. When Mingueza gets forward, Napoli have showed a lot of threat getting in behind him and it's Pique next to him, so balls over the top are there. Nico also had a weak half and was the next option to support Adama. FDJ was the nominal pivot, but I thought Nico really struggled upfield and some of Barca's best moves came when Nico was DMF and FDJ got forward. On the goal lots of guys just standing around and not showing any urgency.

Big changes from Xavi with about half an hour to go: FDJ, Adama, and Nico off, Busi, Gavi, and Dembele on.
 

Zososoxfan

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Dest on for Mingueza. Xavi going for it. Really like Auba's movement so far. He's opening lots of space for Torres. Torres for his part, is having a howler with both his skills and decision-making letting him down. Dembele continues to be wasteful.
 

Zososoxfan

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Ferran misses the net entirely from inside the box without being marked AGAIN. Luuk nearly slams a fully inverted bicycle into the far post. If that goes in he'd make a case for best and most beloved de Jong in Barca.
 

Zososoxfan

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Stop me if you've heard this, but Barca cause a turnover and counter at speed. Torres plays a nice thru ball to Luuk who finds him again on a wicked cutback at the penalty spot. Then Ferran misses the net entirely...I mean, W. T. Ffffffffffffffffffff.
 

Zososoxfan

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Stoichkov was the color guy on the Spanish broadcast and he was awesome. His partner was a clown though. He kept peddling the idea that Barca got so much better once Dembele came on, which conveniently leaves out that the moment also coincided with Busi and Gavi coming on.

Pedri also didn't have a great game today. He was just a tick off with everything. But that pales in comparison to Ferran's Cavanian/Moratan display in front of goal.
 

fletcherpost

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Still can't get over the Gers result. Whoever gets Aribo next season gets a hell of a player, most likely on the cheap.

Lot of work to do in the return leg, but Rangers have a good home record in Europe. Still reckon the tie is 50/50 given Dortmund have the better players and were far from their best last night.

Great to take a lead back to Ibrox though, never saw that coming.
 

Seven Costanza

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Still can't get over the Gers result. Whoever gets Aribo next season gets a hell of a player, most likely on the cheap.

Lot of work to do in the return leg, but Rangers have a good home record in Europe. Still reckon the tie is 50/50 given Dortmund have the better players and were far from their best last night.

Great to take a lead back to Ibrox though, never saw that coming.
It threw me for a loop two seasons ago when I realized Rangers Joe Aribo was the same Joe Aribo I watched play a FA Cup First Round qualifying tie at Staines Town in 2014.

Up the Swans!
 

Zososoxfan

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Bump for Thursday night lights! FYI, the thread title is a reference to the celestial body Europa, not that anyone was asking. I digress...

12:45 window (currently on!):
Sevilla @Zagreb, 0-0, Sevilla lead 3-1 on aggregate
Porto @Lazio, 1-1, Porto up 3-2 on aggregate
Atalanta @Olympiakos, 0-0, Atalanta up 2-1 on aggregate
RBL @Sociedad, 1-0, RBL up 3-2 on aggregate

3pm:
Barca @Napoli, 1-1
Tiraspol @Braga, 0-2
Dortmund @Rangers, 2-4 (!)
Zenit STP @Betis, 2-3
 

fletcherpost

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Europa League last-16 draw
Rangers v Crvena Zvezda
SC Braga v AS Monaco
FC Porto v Lyon
Atalanta v Bayer Leverkusen
Sevilla v West Ham
Barcelona v Galatasaray
RB Leipzig v Spartak Moscow
Real Betis v Eintracht Frankfurt

Great result for Rangers last night.
 

Zososoxfan

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Europa League last-16 draw
Rangers v Crvena Zvezda
SC Braga v AS Monaco
FC Porto v Lyon
Atalanta v Bayer Leverkusen
Sevilla v West Ham
Barcelona v Galatasaray
RB Leipzig v Spartak Moscow
Real Betis v Eintracht Frankfurt

Great result for Rangers last night.
Some awesome matchups in there (current league position in parentheses):

SC Braga (4) v AS Monaco (6)
FC Porto (1) v Lyon (8)
Atalanta (5) v Bayer Leverkusen (3)
Sevilla (2) v West Ham (6)

Real Betis (3) v Eintracht Frankfurt (10)

The first 2 in bold are probably the most interesting, as both matchups feature big 4 league clubs chasing UCL spots and in Sevilla's case, the title! Those matchups may end up turning on how those managers handle rotation (assuming they don't just step on the gas and play best XIs as often as possible from here till the end). I didn't put that first one in bold because Monaco needs to finish 3rd for league UCL qualification (as does Braga) but both are 7 points off the spot. Betis and Frankfurt also gets the bold treatment as a clash between big 4 league clubs.

Thrilled with Barca's draw. A makeup of sorts as Napoli was about the worst draw for the previous round. But this Barca isn't good enough to overlook anyone.
 

nayrbrey

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Does this suggest that Poland, Sweden and Czechia get wins against Russia in WC qualification?
Not sure, would UEFA have a say in that since it is their qualification, or is it FIFA that is the final arbiter?
I’d assume UEFA would accept your scenario, FIFA would not.

edit: @Bozo Texino posted in the Ukraine thread that FIFA changed course and Russia is out of the WC.
https://www.newsweek.com/fifa-set-suspend-russia-football-2022-world-cup-report-1683272
 
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fletcherpost

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Rangers get the job done in Belgrade. Not a great performance but it was all about the result - 2-1 on the night to Red Star, 4-2 to the Gers over the two legs.

The Red Star fans are an enthusiastic bunch to say the least.
 

fletcherpost

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Antonio floats a ball into the six yard box and right onto the head of Soucek who floats it in. A move that seemed to happen in slow motion - to me anyway.

An all UK QF is on.
 

fletcherpost

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West Ham are having a good spell at the moment. Sevilla defending resolutely, West Ham work it well around the box but struggle to make enough room to get a good shot off. But the pressure on Sevilla is growing. A very finely balanced tie.
 

fletcherpost

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Still 1-1 on aggregate at the London Stadium as we go into the second period of extra time.

If this goes to pens i favour Sevilla. I hope the Irons can nick a goal.

Edit: We're into the cramping stage of the tie.
 
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fletcherpost

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When you see the replays Yarmolenko has almost passed the ball back to the flailing keeper. But a goal's a goal. West Ham v Rangers would be a great tie in the next round.
 

Cellar-Door

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what an insane week for Yarmolenko. He hadn't been playing, his home nation is invaded, he takes compassionate leave to get his family out of Ukraine (his wife and kids were in Ukraine and made it to Poland where he met them) comes back and has a huge emotional goal in the PL, then a match winner deep in extra-time to advance in UEL.
 

Zososoxfan

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what an insane week for Yarmolenko. He hadn't been playing, his home nation is invaded, he takes compassionate leave to get his family out of Ukraine (his wife and kids were in Ukraine and made it to Poland where he met them) comes back and has a huge emotional goal in the PL, then a match winner deep in extra-time to advance in UEL.
His goal celebration in the EPL match made it real dusty in casa Zoso.
 

Zososoxfan

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QF draw is set:

RBL-Atalanta
Frankfurt-Barca
WHU-Lyon
Braga-Rangers

If I'm understanding correctly, that sets up the semis as follows:

RBL/Atalanta vs. Braga/Rangers
Frankfurt/Barca vs. WHU/Lyon

Bundesliga only league with 2 teams in RBL and Frankfurt

Bundesliga
Bundesliga
La Liga
Serie A
EPL
Ligue 1
Liga NoS/TelCel/Whatever they want to call the league in Portugal on the third Friday in March
Scotland

Pretty awesome IMO to see international matchups.
 

Zososoxfan

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Return legs today (home team first):

Barca v. Frankfurt (1-1)
Atalanta v. RB Leipzig (1-1)
Lyon v. WHU (1-1)
Rangers v. Braga (0-1)

All pretty compelling IMO, and good first leg results to setup a potentially excellent afternoon!
 

fletcherpost

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Rangers have been dominant this first half. Now they're 2-1 up on aggregate playing against ten men. They better not fuck this up.
 

CodPiece XL

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Rangers have been dominant this first half. Now they're 2-1 up on aggregate playing against ten men. They better not fuck this up.
This is what I expected from Braga. Completely shit the bed ( Trainspotting comes to mind) . They just can’t handle a cross. Virtually every cross has caused havoc. They’re not fucking this up.
 

HowBoutDemSox

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Barca misses a great chance early in the second half.

Come on Xavi, put in Dest, you need a spark!

Edit: Xavi listens, Dest (and Traoré) on at the hour mark.
 
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Jimy Hendrix

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That looked real bad for Dest or possibly even worse for Traore, depending on who was supposed to do what there.
 

fletcherpost

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Rangers had so many chances to put the game to bed. Braga had a corner and scored. I have funny feeling this goes to pens and Rangers lose.

Taking of Ramsay and Jack might not have been the best move. Both were having good games.
 

Cellar-Door

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Very surprising that Lyon just crumbled at home.
West Ham 3-0, even got to bring on Noble.
 

CodPiece XL

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Ask any Rangers fan about GVB substitutions since he’s arrived and they want to slit their own throats. I don’t follow them enough to pass comment but that’s a common criticism.