Hi all, here's a quote by someone I interpreted into English verbatim—
"I don't blame Wenger for saying what he said about qualifying for the Champions league through the Europa afterall... Since I have been watching footbball in all my life, not one club in that position[Manchester United's league position] has made the finals[Europa finals].. Talk more of two so-called big team being useless to this level."
That's was after Manchester United's 2-nil lose to West Ham in their last EPL match. What a terrible season Manchester United is having, I agree with that, but if you mention the Europa, then I will unsheathe my sword.
First off, I didn't listen to what sir Wenger said. He is a coach I respect, but I don't want to listen to what he recently said on the Europa.
I would not take it from anyone telling me that the UEFA is wrong to make the winners of the Europa Cup to qualify for the Champions league(CL)or that the Europa Cup has lost quality since the introduction of this new rule.
Aston Villa led the Champions league(CL), league phase for a brilliant number of weeks. I dare say they lost the lead due to unfair refereeing in one of their matches and in another too. Even so, they still rallied and qualified automatically!
Now that's a team that haven't played in the CL for donkey years– 41 years ago, when it was still called the European Cup..
Liverpool finished top of the CL league phase. That's a new coach that hasn't done one season, yet.
It's not UEFA's fault that the EPL has multiplied in strength. Let Real Madrid play 38 matches in the EPL this season and taste the competition, hey they won't finish in an European spot, Barcelona also won't make top 4. Take it or leave it.
Yeah, it's not pleasing on the pride of the Europa competition to see the position of the two finalists in their league, but I repeat it isn't Europa's or UEFA'S fault.
Please other leagues should go and upgrade.
Forget that theory that the Europa has become less competitive since this new rule of qualifying for the CL through it. False and false it is.
I can also say that, the CL is less competitive with my example of Villa and Liverpool above. How do you come from no where and lead the CL, oh Villa? We could indict the quality of the CL going by this Europa false theory.
What is really less competitive is other leagues. They should step up!
Now EPL may have as many as 7 in the CL, at the end of the season and will likely dominate Europe again no matter how poorly their representatives to Europe perform in the EPL next season. That's life.
Nobody should blame the rules, think deeply and blame other leagues.
Cheers