2024/25 Europe League / Conference League - league phase

[Evilo]

I mean FCSB s owner comes up with the starting 11 and the changes.... when I have some time I'll make a little write up about some players to watch because in spite of the crazy owner it's a decent squad

Oh it's not easy but still Lyon is favorites and there were much worse draws.

 

[luiginb]

@Evilo I believe all these players could start for Ligue 1 non-European teams: Darius Olaru (best player on the squad, unfortunately unavailable for this double because of injury), Juri Cisotti, Stefan Tarnovanu, Vlad Chiriches and Adrian Sut, they would be my players to watch out for. From the young players (U23), some interesting ones are: David Miculescu, Mihai Lixandru (won't play either bc of injury) and Andrei Gheorghita. The rest is Romanian league level fodder.

 

[Evilo]

Spurs face AZ again next round. They got the easier side of the bracket, so it will be disappointing if they don't make the finals at least.

Sure they got off easy but Lazio isn't an amateurish team either.
Final "at least" screams overconfidence to me.

 

[gary69]

Chelsea got the easier side of the draw, avoiding Betis and Fiorentina. It'll be a disappointment if they don't reach the final. The only drawback is not having the return legs at home on later rounds.

 

[Savi]

Chelsea got the easier side of the draw, avoiding Betis and Fiorentina. It'll be a disappointment if they don't reach the final. The only drawback is not having the return legs at home on later rounds.

If they reach the final??
They have a squad that cost more than all other Conf League clubs combined, including qualifying rounds. If they don't win the tournament it's a huge choke job.

 

[gary69]

If they reach the final??
They have a squad that cost more than all other Conf League clubs combined, including qualifying rounds. If they don't win the tournament it's a huge choke job.

Chelsea has very tough set of PL fixtures in May: Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester United and Nottingham. Then sandwich possibly two Conf.L SF's in there and it'll be even worse. Especially if they fighting for a CL spot in the league.

Anything can happen in a one-off final, especially if say Chelsea has secured a spot in next year's CL in the match against Forest. they might not have quite the insense desire to win the final than the other team.

 

[spintheblackcircle]

Spurs face AZ again next round. They got the easier side of the bracket, so it will be disappointing if they don't make the finals at least.

.....I think that may be a little hopeful. I would say disappointing if they don't make the semis. If they are healthy, then I can say finals, but unless they get back Romero/VDV at the same time, I don't feel comfortable being confident of anything

 

[Power Man]

 

[les Habs]

Spanish clubs got pretty tough draws, Sociedad vs Man Utd and Athletic Bilbao vs Roma.

Lazio should have an easy path to the semis.

I think Athletic Club got the tough draw, but they are good enough to get past Roma. I think it depends on which team shows up for the respective sides. La Real are a Dr Jekyll/Mr Hyde side for me this term, but if Mr Hyde shows up they can beat United.

Spurs face AZ again next round. They got the easier side of the bracket, so it will be disappointing if they don't make the finals at least.

AZ are no slouches. Spurs should go through, but I wouldn’t underestimate AZ.