The European Competitions Thread

[Jase 43,479]

Btw, a Benitez side putting a (very) attacking display in a away game.. Never thought I'd see that happen. Wolfsburg were terrible, constantly giving the ball away. You're always going to lose if you're so incredibly sloppy on the ball. And Knoche makes Terry look like a speedster.

Benitez really loves European competitions, doesn't he? Good/great in Europe, average in the league.

[iseah100 5,612]

First time this season I've watched Wolfsburg properly, they are awful. Bring back KDB and Schurrle!!!

Some on here said they play better than Chelsea lulz.

[Jase 43,479]

[Blue-in-me-Veins 4,067]

https://twitter.com/Paolo_Bandini/status/588810986238390272

Lmaoo, but its known that Benitez has his teams prepare for weeks, often ignoring the upcoming league games, so he can win European matches.

Goes to show why his teams typically do well in European competitions.

[kobematabryant 400]

Sevilla did very good in the end, but let's not forget AVB had a depleted squad. Read this if you don't know what I am talking about.

http://news.yahoo.com/sevilla-face-depleted-zenit-europa-league-quarters-031637965--sow.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

With this being said, Zenit came very close today considering it was away game and the fact they didn't have their main player. I think they will go through convincingly at Russia.

[DYC. 7,542]

Sevilla, Valencia, Atletico. All incredibly strong at home and play with a lot of intensity. Great atmosphere too. I really enjoy watching them and would definitely not want to play away (especially) to any of them.

Very true. I also rate Villarreal, though they're a more 'typically Spanish' side (going through a rough spell at the moment though). Also capable of causing any side problems when they're in good form. It's a shame Sevilla can't play in the CL. Emery receives very little praise, even though he's been doing a great job for a multitude of years.

I look forward to see Valencia in the CL, hopefully they can keep majority of their group. Improve even. I would love to see them get Jackson Martinez for example. I think he would be perfect for them.

Benitez really loves European competitions, doesn't he? Good/great in Europe, average in the league.

Winning the EL this year would make it 3 UEFA Cups/ELs and 1 CL. That's quite incredible. I think City will go for him.

[Jase 43,479]

Winning the EL this year would make it 3 UEFA Cups/ELs and 1 CL. That's quite incredible. I think City will go for him.

If City hire Benitez, they can forget about challenging for the league title.

[DYC. 7,542]

If City hire Benitez, they can forget about challenging for the league title.

I don't think any manager could make them challenge for the title next season tbh. Very much on the decline and they seem to be planning quite the changes next season.

[Jase 43,479]

I don't think any manager could make them challenge for the title next season tbh. Very much on the decline and they seem to be planning quite the changes next season.

I don't quite agree that City are on the decline. They still have a good squad but the problem is, they haven't really freshened it up properly. It's gone stale there. 2-3 quality signings this summer plus getting a proper manager and they would be up there challenging again.

[The Chels 2,502]

Very true. I also rate Villarreal, though they're a more 'typically Spanish' side (going through a rough spell at the moment though). Also capable of causing any side problems when they're in good form. It's a shame Sevilla can't play in the CL. Emery receives very little praise, even though he's been doing a great job for a multitude of years. I look forward to see Valencia in the CL, hopefully they can keep majority of their group. Improve even. I would love to see them get Jackson Martinez for example. I think he would be perfect for them.

Villarreal's counter attacking is particularly impressive. So much pace in their front line (hopefully they can keep hold of Vietto) and they have a tactically astute manager too, drawing away to Valencia and Real Madrid, beating Atleti and narrowly losing to Barca.

And wouldn't Sevilla play in the CL if they won the EL? It'd be great to see Real, Barca, Atleti, Valencia and Sevilla all involved in the competition.

[DYC. 7,542]

I don't quite agree that City are on the decline. They still have a good squad but the problem is, they haven't really freshened it up properly. It's gone stale there. 2-3 quality signings this summer plus getting a proper manager and they would be up there challenging again.

I think they're in very similar position to Chelsea in 10-12. They have a very old side. A lot big name players, but lacking in the sufficient amount of quality. Replacing Toure (I don't think Toure is capable of getting back to his old level) will be quite the task. Without him, they're (centre) midfield is decent at best. They seem to be in need of quite the quality injection in their backline as well. And can they continue with 4-4-2? They seem to be moving to a system with a lone striker, but they don't have proper wingers. And they don't have a lot money to spend because of FFP restrictions. At least that's why I've read.

So unless the likes of Mangala, Fernando, Fernandinho, Nasri and/or Navas heavily improve, they look more like a top 4 side than a genuine title challenger imo.

[DYC. 7,542]

Villarreal's counter attacking is particularly impressive. So much pace in their front line (hopefully they can keep hold of Vietto) and they have a tactically astute manager too, drawing away to Valencia and Real Madrid, beating Atleti and narrowly losing to Barca.

And wouldn't Sevilla play in the CL if they won the EL? It'd be great to see Real, Barca, Atleti, Valencia and Sevilla all involved in the competition.

Max 4 teams per country, unless they changed the rules (I doubt it). Sevilla winning the EL would cause another Tottenham 11/12 scenario, meaning no Atletico/Valencia. It makes the race for 3rd a lot more interesting.

[Blue-in-me-Veins 4,067]

I don't quite agree that City are on the decline. They still have a good squad but the problem is, they haven't really freshened it up properly. It's gone stale there. 2-3 quality signings this summer plus getting a proper manager and they would be up there challenging again.

Completely agree.

This City side, remind me of our Chelsea 2010/11, where, everybody just seemed 'past it'. We made a few signings, Torres-David Luiz-Mata. and our final 'push' was instead of a PL title, a UCL. Your right, if they sign 2/3 key players, not overly expensive they should be right in the thick of things again next season.

Not to mention the 'player power' i keep hearing City fans discussing..This city side has many parallels to that Chelsea team.

Edit: @DYC beat me to it lol.

[Jase 43,479]

I think they're in very similar position to Chelsea in 10-12. They have a very old side. A lot big name players, but lacking in the sufficient amount of quality. Replacing Toure (I don't think Toure is capable of getting back to his old level) will be quite the task. Without him, they're (centre) midfield is decent at best. They seem to be in need of quite the quality injection in their backline as well. And can they continue with 4-4-2? They seem to be moving to a system with a lone striker, but they don't have proper wingers. And they don't have a lot money to spend because of FFP restrictions. At least that's why I've read.

So unless the likes of Mangala, Fernando, Fernandinho, Nasri and/or Navas heavily improve, they look more like a top 4 side than a genuine title challenger imo.

If they get another a manager in, then I doubt they'll continue with 4-4-2.There would definitely be a few ins and outs to get the squad going again.

[Jase 43,479]

Max 4 teams per country, unless they changed the rules (I doubt it). Sevilla winning the EL would cause another Tottenham 11/12 scenario, meaning no Atletico/Valencia. It makes the race for 3rd a lot more interesting.

The max is now 5 actually - http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/newsid=2215121.html.

They changed the rule 2 years ago - http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/may/23/uefa-champions-league-europa-league.

[DYC. 7,542]

The max is now 5 actually - http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/newsid=2215121.html.

They changed the rule 2 years ago - http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/may/23/uefa-champions-league-europa-league.

Well, what do you know... 5 teams from the same country, that would be something.

[The Chels 2,502]

Max 4 teams per country, unless they changed the rules (I doubt it). Sevilla winning the EL would cause another Tottenham 11/12 scenario, meaning no Atletico/Valencia. It makes the race for 3rd a lot more interesting.

It seems like they have changed the rules. Spain to run riot in the CL next season then!

No more than five clubs can enter the UEFA Champions League from one national association (this is an increase on the previous maximum of four). http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/newsid=2215121.html

Edit: beaten to it lol

[Jase 43,479]

It seems like they have changed the rules. Spain to run riot in the CL next season then!

• No more than five clubs can enter the UEFA Champions League from one national association (this is an increase on the previous maximum of four).

http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/newsid=2215121.html

You're 3 minutes late.

[DYC. 7,542]

Completely agree.

This City side, remind me of our Chelsea 2010/11, where, everybody just seemed 'past it'. We made a few signings, Torres-David Luiz-Mata. and our final 'push' was instead of a PL title, a UCL. Your right, if they sign 2/3 key players, not overly expensive they should be right in the thick of things again next season.

Not to mention the 'player power' i keep hearing City fans discussing..This city side has many parallels to that Chelsea team.

Edit: @DYC beat me to it lol.

I look at their team and think Hart, Kompany, Zabaleta, Silva and Aguero, Dzeko are 'good enough'. Jury is still out on Bony, though I don't see how he fits in the starting XI. Fernandinho can be pretty good with the right partner I think. Managala has been very poor but deserves another chance since he cost a lot money. And I guess Clichy is okay (I personally don't rate him though and would replace him)

Kolarov, Milner and Jovetic could be gone in the summer. Toure, Demichelis, Sagna are declining. Nasri, Fernando, Navas are squad players. They're in a very difficult situation.

[LAM09 7,056]

Serie A still a joke league?