The Europa League has been maligned since its creation, and many big clubs do not take the competition seriously when they enter it. But when you look at the teams in the competition, compared to the Champions League, it is hard to justify giving the trophy winner heaps of praise. The Champions League contains the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid, arguably the top two sides in the world, Bayern, the biggest club in Germany and host of this year's final, and Chelsea, a yearly contender in England with a squad full of depth and experience. No team in the Europa League is within thirteen points of the top spot in their respective league, and Athletic (while they have played very well in Europe) is not even in the top half of the table. I don't like to see the competition being watered down by teams playing weak squads, but there is a huge gap in talent between the two European trophies.
Rankings for this week:
1 (1) FC Barcelona (ESP)
2 (2) Real Madrid CF (ESP)
3 (3) FC Bayern Munich (GER)
4 (5) Manchester United FC (ENG)
5 (4) Manchester City FC (ENG)
6 (6) Borussia Dortmund (GER)
7 (7) AC Milan (ITA)
8 (8) Juventus FC (ITA)
9 (10) Chelsea FC (ENG)
10 (9) Paris St. Germain FC (FRA)
11 (11) Arsenal FC (ENG)
12 (12) Tottenham Hotspur FC (ENG)
13 (14) Schalke 04 (GER)
14 (13) SL Benfica (POR)
15 (15) Montpellier HSC (FRA)
16 (16) FC Zenit St. Petersburg (RUS)
17 (18) LOSC Lille (FRA)
18 (22) Newcastle United FC (ENG)
19 (17) SSC Napoli (ITA)
20 (20) CSKA Moscow (RUS)
21 (21) Olympique Lyon (FRA)
22 (19) Borussia Monchengladbach (GER)
23 (23) SS Lazio (ITA)
24 (NR) AFC Ajax Amsterdam (NED)
25 (NR) FC Porto (POR)
Dropped from rankings: FC Inter Milan (24), APOEL FC (25)
Notes:
1-10: Manchester United move ahead of Manchester City after putting themselves in the driver's seat for a twentieth Premier League title. It hasn't been a vintage United season, but they have been the most consistent throughout the season, characteristically grinding out results late in games. City have looked like favorites all season, and with the depth and talent of the squad, it was easy to see why. David Silva's dip in form has affected them far more than it should, as their results away from home have been poor for the last month, and they dropped their first points of the season at home on Saturday against Sunderland. It's difficult to see City retaking first place at this point.. Chelsea continue to climb after a below-par aggregate victory over Benfica to advance to a first UCL semi-final in three years. Unfortunately for the Blues, it is Barcelona who await them yet again. Chelsea certainly have a chance against the Catalans but it will be very difficult, especially after seeing Benfica dominate possession for long periods of each game. However, AC Milan exposed some weaknesses in Barca's back line, but simply didn't take their chances. Chelsea will have to put in two of their best performances of the season if they want to reach their second final.. The pressure is growing on Carlo Ancelotti's PSG. Currently a point behind leaders Montpellier with an extra game played, an unthinkable title defeat by the minnows now looks like it could become reality. The French league has been the most competitive league from top to bottom this season, and there are likely a few more twists left in the tale. A quick note - after competing in the Champions League last season, Auxerre now prop up the table. It is very difficult to play consistently in France.
11-25: After eight straight wins in the league, Ajax join the ranks, straight in the thick of a six-team title race. Six Dutch sides sit within four points of each other at the top of the Eredivisie with six games remaining. Ajax are in pole position to secure the title this season, but with the likes of Christian Eriksen and Jan Vertonghen linked with moves in the summer, the club could be rebuilding yet again.. Newcastle have refused to fade. Another tight victory over Swansea takes the Magpies temporarily into fifth place in the table, just two points off of the elusive last Champions League place. Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse have been a lethal pair up top, and Newcastle do not have a difficult run-in. The UCL place is not out of the question.. Lille have regained the form that earned them the self-titled nickname "the French Barcelona." The side will have plenty of talent next year even after Eden Hazard's inevitable departure, and they should be more equipped to compete in Europe. They disappointed in a weak group in this year's Champions League.. Lazio face Napoli on Saturday in a crucial game in the race for third in Serie A. Napoli and Udinese trail Lazio by three points with eight games left. Napoli have struggled since their UCL loss to Chelsea, and a loss in Rome could end their hopes of returning to the competition.. Porto are top of the Portuguese league by a point over arch-rivals Benfica and two points over Braga. Porto have finally regained their stride after a poor early season run following the departure of Andre Villas-Boas. The league title is an exciting three horse race this year, and despite being a point behind, I still believe Benfica are favorites. Despite being thirteen points behind, Sporting are the only Portuguese side left in Europe.
Showing posts with label Lazio. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lazio. Show all posts
Friday, April 6, 2012
Friday, March 23, 2012
Top 25 - March 23
Rankings for this week:
1 (1) FC Barcelona (ESP)
2 (2) Real Madrid CF (ESP)
3 (4) FC Bayern Munich (GER)
4 (3) Manchester City FC (ENG)
5 (5) Manchester United FC (ENG)
6 (7) Borussia Dortmund (GER)
7 (8) AC Milan (ITA)
8 (9) Juventus FC (ITA)
9 (10) Paris St. Germain FC (FRA)
10 (11) Chelsea FC (ENG)
11 (12) Arsenal FC (ENG)
12 (6) Tottenham Hotspur FC (ENG)
13 (13) SL Benfica (POR)
14 (18) Schalke 04 (GER)
15 (14) Montpellier HSC (FRA)
16 (15) FC Zenit St. Petersburg (RUS)
17 (16) SSC Napoli (ITA)
18 (17) LOSC Lille (FRA)
19 (19) Borussia Monchengladbach (GER)
20 (20) CSKA Moscow (RUS)
21 (NR) Olympique Lyon (FRA)
22 (21) Newcastle United FC (ENG)
23 (22) SS Lazio (ITA)
24 (23) FC Inter Milan (ITA)
25 (25) APOEL FC (CYP)
Dropped from rankings: FC Basel (24)
Notes:
TOP TEN: Bayern Munich moves ahead of Manchester City this week after putting in twenty goals in three games, followed by advancing to the cup finals after defeating Borussia Monchengladbach on penalties. There's no doubt about Bayern's talent - the only concern is their away form. With the Champions League final in their own building, the Germans must feel great about their chances - if they can get there. A potential semi-final matchup with Real Madrid stands in the way.. Meanwhile, City have been far from impressive. Even a comeback victory over Chelsea should not quell the nerviness around the Etihad, as the performance was a far cry from their early season form. Nonetheless, it was the result they needed, and that is the key to winning a title - getting results out of games in which the team does not play well. The EPL title will go down to the wire between City and Manchester United.. Another great title race is going on in Serie A between AC Milan and Juventus. Juve are still undefeated with ten games left but trail Milan by four points. However, they gained some important momentum by knocking the Rossoneri out of the Coppa Italia. The teams have similar run-ins in terms of difficulty, so it will be up to Milan to hold their nerve.. Chelsea is back on the rise despite losing to City. The speed of their attacking buildups is dramatically faster, and key players like Torres and Lampard are starting to return to form. Even John Obi Mikel is playing well. Whether their performances had anything to do with tactics or not, the side looks rejuvenated under Roberto Di Matteo. Perhaps the old guard still has a few tricks left. A quarterfinal matchup with Benfica is favorable, but Barcelona could be waiting.
11-25: Tottenham have come crashing down to Earth after sitting in third for a good part of the season. After being passed by Arsenal this weekend, Spurs are now focusing on securing a UCL spot with just a five-point lead over Chelsea and a trip to the Bridge awaiting them on Saturday. A loss there would really be trouble for Tottenham.. Lyon are back after winning three straight following their UCL exit at the hands of APOEL. Sitting just four points behind third-placed Lille, Lyon have every chance to qualify for next year's Champions League. There is plenty of quality in the squad, which made their performances against the Cypriot champions all the more puzzling.. After seeing City and United crash out of the Europa League, Schalke are now favorites to take the title. The side have recovered very well from their early season slumber, and with Huntelaar having perhaps his best season to date, a trophy and a Champions League place could be destined for Gelsenkirchen.. Before the Rome derby, Lazio players and management described what an important game it would be in the race for third place, and the last UCL berth. Lazio defeated Roma 2-1, but subsequently dropped two straight games home to Bologna and away to Catania. Lazio have had a solid season, but Napoli and Udinese are only a point behind now. Should be a very tight close to the season in that part of Serie A as well.
1 (1) FC Barcelona (ESP)
2 (2) Real Madrid CF (ESP)
3 (4) FC Bayern Munich (GER)
4 (3) Manchester City FC (ENG)
5 (5) Manchester United FC (ENG)
6 (7) Borussia Dortmund (GER)
7 (8) AC Milan (ITA)
8 (9) Juventus FC (ITA)
9 (10) Paris St. Germain FC (FRA)
10 (11) Chelsea FC (ENG)
11 (12) Arsenal FC (ENG)
12 (6) Tottenham Hotspur FC (ENG)
13 (13) SL Benfica (POR)
14 (18) Schalke 04 (GER)
15 (14) Montpellier HSC (FRA)
16 (15) FC Zenit St. Petersburg (RUS)
17 (16) SSC Napoli (ITA)
18 (17) LOSC Lille (FRA)
19 (19) Borussia Monchengladbach (GER)
20 (20) CSKA Moscow (RUS)
21 (NR) Olympique Lyon (FRA)
22 (21) Newcastle United FC (ENG)
23 (22) SS Lazio (ITA)
24 (23) FC Inter Milan (ITA)
25 (25) APOEL FC (CYP)
Dropped from rankings: FC Basel (24)
Notes:
TOP TEN: Bayern Munich moves ahead of Manchester City this week after putting in twenty goals in three games, followed by advancing to the cup finals after defeating Borussia Monchengladbach on penalties. There's no doubt about Bayern's talent - the only concern is their away form. With the Champions League final in their own building, the Germans must feel great about their chances - if they can get there. A potential semi-final matchup with Real Madrid stands in the way.. Meanwhile, City have been far from impressive. Even a comeback victory over Chelsea should not quell the nerviness around the Etihad, as the performance was a far cry from their early season form. Nonetheless, it was the result they needed, and that is the key to winning a title - getting results out of games in which the team does not play well. The EPL title will go down to the wire between City and Manchester United.. Another great title race is going on in Serie A between AC Milan and Juventus. Juve are still undefeated with ten games left but trail Milan by four points. However, they gained some important momentum by knocking the Rossoneri out of the Coppa Italia. The teams have similar run-ins in terms of difficulty, so it will be up to Milan to hold their nerve.. Chelsea is back on the rise despite losing to City. The speed of their attacking buildups is dramatically faster, and key players like Torres and Lampard are starting to return to form. Even John Obi Mikel is playing well. Whether their performances had anything to do with tactics or not, the side looks rejuvenated under Roberto Di Matteo. Perhaps the old guard still has a few tricks left. A quarterfinal matchup with Benfica is favorable, but Barcelona could be waiting.
11-25: Tottenham have come crashing down to Earth after sitting in third for a good part of the season. After being passed by Arsenal this weekend, Spurs are now focusing on securing a UCL spot with just a five-point lead over Chelsea and a trip to the Bridge awaiting them on Saturday. A loss there would really be trouble for Tottenham.. Lyon are back after winning three straight following their UCL exit at the hands of APOEL. Sitting just four points behind third-placed Lille, Lyon have every chance to qualify for next year's Champions League. There is plenty of quality in the squad, which made their performances against the Cypriot champions all the more puzzling.. After seeing City and United crash out of the Europa League, Schalke are now favorites to take the title. The side have recovered very well from their early season slumber, and with Huntelaar having perhaps his best season to date, a trophy and a Champions League place could be destined for Gelsenkirchen.. Before the Rome derby, Lazio players and management described what an important game it would be in the race for third place, and the last UCL berth. Lazio defeated Roma 2-1, but subsequently dropped two straight games home to Bologna and away to Catania. Lazio have had a solid season, but Napoli and Udinese are only a point behind now. Should be a very tight close to the season in that part of Serie A as well.
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