Not a happy draft for Italians here.
Barca Napoli and Porto Lazio even they will make a lot of money from fans at the stadium will not be easy matches at all maybe was the worst possible outcome for them.
Topic: UEFA Europa League Discussion Thread - page 174. (Read 34287 times)
Napoli should be able to move Barcelona out of their way now if we consider the recent performances of both teams. Napoli have started a bad form lately though but they are still much better than their opponent now. Barcelona are still making a big effort to improve their performance and they are getting bad results in this period of time too of course. If they don't reach a decent level in two months, they won't be able to fight back much against Napoli most probably.
Both teams are in crisis, but if we take purely game results, then Napoli has a deeper crisis. But on the other hand, Barcelona this season did not play at a decent level at all, while Napoli had a great period when they were leading in Serie A. Therefore, if Napoli can get out of the crisis, then we can assume that they will easily beat Barcelona. In any case, I think it will be the most interesting pair in the play-offs.
If the match was to be played one week later or so, then I would definitely be sure of Napoli to destroy Barcelona in even both games. But as there are still two months to go, it is very early to see something as guaranteed. Maybe Barcelona will be playing impressively then or maybe Napoli will have some important players missing. And this would also affect Napoli very negatively too. But one thing is certain that Barcelona have to work really hard as of today.
Napoli should be able to move Barcelona out of their way now if we consider the recent performances of both teams. Napoli have started a bad form lately though but they are still much better than their opponent now. Barcelona are still making a big effort to improve their performance and they are getting bad results in this period of time too of course. If they don't reach a decent level in two months, they won't be able to fight back much against Napoli most probably.
the game will be next year and until then it is quite possible that barcelona will be better, what is lacking in barcelona is to have a player who scores a lot of goals while napoli's side are falling every game and thus they will be weak in this game against barcelona . I think barcelona may have a good chance of winning the game. when I watched this last Napoli game they couldn't dominate the game, it was clear that Napoli is falling
Napoli should be able to move Barcelona out of their way now if we consider the recent performances of both teams. Napoli have started a bad form lately though but they are still much better than their opponent now. Barcelona are still making a big effort to improve their performance and they are getting bad results in this period of time too of course. If they don't reach a decent level in two months, they won't be able to fight back much against Napoli most probably.
After the draw has been completed successfully, I see that there are really tough matches like Barcelona v Napoli and Porto v Lazio. I guess that I wouldn't watch the rest of the matches but I'm thinking of watching the Barcelona v Napoli match especially. I'm not happy to say this but my favourite here to advance is Napoli absolutely. Because Barcelona are still struggling to defeat even easier opponents in their league. If they continue to perform like this, they would have a very low chance against Napoli in this draw.
Barcelona vs Napoli later will definitely be a very exciting match because the strength of the two teams can be said to be at the same level at this time. Besides that, I am also looking forward to the Sociedad vs. Leipzig match, Leipzig will definitely beat Sociedad. I'm really looking forward to these two matches. 
Really good draw. With reduced number of teams quality of Eurpa league is high this season.
It's not a small number of teams. These are only the teams that will play the playoff for access to the round of 16.
The following teams are already qualified:
After the draw has been completed successfully, I see that there are really tough matches like Barcelona v Napoli and Porto v Lazio. I guess that I wouldn't watch the rest of the matches but I'm thinking of watching the Barcelona v Napoli match especially. I'm not happy to say this but my favourite here to advance is Napoli absolutely. Because Barcelona are still struggling to defeat even easier opponents in their league. If they continue to perform like this, they would have a very low chance against Napoli in this draw.
Barcelona - Napoli this is a pair worthy of the Champions League! Here's what I will definitely watch.
The big question is how much Barcelona will try to win this tournament, but I don't think they will give up without a fight.
Both teams are fluctuating badly and they don't worth to be in CL this season imo but I understand your point and this match looks better than casual EL ones indeed The big question is how much Barcelona will try to win this tournament, but I don't think they will give up without a fight.
Depending from Napoli performance in the 2 matchday, Barcelona might say an early goodbye for EL too.
Leipzig - Sociedad, Porto - Lazio are good matches with unpredictable results tho
Barcelona will facing strong opponent this time and their previous records during met Italian teams on Europe competitions also quite bad because last time they were lost against Juventus and moreover team condition not in the good shape after defeated by Bayern several days ago but i'm curious to watching their performance against Napoli whether they can able to win or not
if it goes very badly for fc barcelona this year, then the probability of losing to napoli in the 1/8-final is high and that fcb will not be represented internationally at all next year is unfortunately also a given at the moment and possible in any case ... very difficult times for barcelona
Really good draw. With reduced number of teams quality of Eurpa league is high this season.
It's not a small number of teams. These are only the teams that will play the playoff for access to the round of 16.
The following teams are already qualified:
Crvena zvezda
Frankfurt
Galatasaray
Bayer Leverkusen
Lyon
Monaco
Spartak Moskva
West Ham
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A top match has been drawn, which could have been Europa League final. Barca against Napoli will certainly be a top-class match. For me, both teams are favorites for the title.
I think that either Dortmund, Napoli or FC Porto have the best chances to win the title. Then follows Barca and Sevilla. Especially Sevilla should never be underestimated in this Cup.
I think that either Dortmund, Napoli or FC Porto have the best chances to win the title. Then follows Barca and Sevilla. Especially Sevilla should never be underestimated in this Cup.
Many people said that Barcelona would win the Europa League title after being eliminated from the Champions League. Their first match was against Napoli. And my guess is that Barcelona will be knocked out of the Europa League after losing to Napoli. Napoli are a very strong team. They have been at the top of Serie A for a long time. Barcelona will not be able to win against Napoli with such an unstable team.
Really good draw. With reduced number of teams quality of Eurpa league is high this season.
Barcelona - Napoli. Damn, what an opponent for Barca, I expected something easier. Seems that our journey in Europa league won't be long.
Sevilla - Dinamo Zagreb. Not bad draw for Sevilla. Don't understimate Zagreb, but it's Sevilla tournament and they should go further.
Atalanta - Olympiacos. Interesting pair. I would like to see Atalanta going far in Europa league.
Leipzig - Real Sociedad. Leipzig have bad season, Sociedad started well, but now they're going down. I expected that until February Leipzig will sort out things.
Zenit - Betis. I think it's more or less 50/50. But Zenit will play this game after long winter break, so, probably they won't be in optimal conditiion
Dortmund - Rangers. Rangers look good in Scotland, but it's not easy for them to compete in Europe. I don't see them going further.
Sheriff - Braga. Probably best opponent for Sheriff. It's possible for them to fight with Braga
Porto - Lazio. Sounds nice, IMO, Porto should go through, Lazio looks disappointing so far.
Barcelona - Napoli. Damn, what an opponent for Barca, I expected something easier. Seems that our journey in Europa league won't be long.
Sevilla - Dinamo Zagreb. Not bad draw for Sevilla. Don't understimate Zagreb, but it's Sevilla tournament and they should go further.
Atalanta - Olympiacos. Interesting pair. I would like to see Atalanta going far in Europa league.
Leipzig - Real Sociedad. Leipzig have bad season, Sociedad started well, but now they're going down. I expected that until February Leipzig will sort out things.
Zenit - Betis. I think it's more or less 50/50. But Zenit will play this game after long winter break, so, probably they won't be in optimal conditiion
Dortmund - Rangers. Rangers look good in Scotland, but it's not easy for them to compete in Europe. I don't see them going further.
Sheriff - Braga. Probably best opponent for Sheriff. It's possible for them to fight with Braga
Porto - Lazio. Sounds nice, IMO, Porto should go through, Lazio looks disappointing so far.
What a mess by UEFA, utterly ridiculous. I was disappointed to not have the Salzburg tie as they’re the weakest team left in the competition maybe. Realistically though only PSG from the group runners up pot bothered me. Liverpool are levels above every other team we could have drawn so I will take Inter no problem. They are only 1 point ahead of a pretty crappy Milan side in Serie A that we beat twice.
Mate, you're in wrong thread
As for me in this round this is the most interesting pair of Porto - Lazio because these teams are more equal and the outcome of this pair cannot be accurately predicted.
Both teams are doing high in their championships and both teams will want to win this trophy.
Both teams are doing high in their championships and both teams will want to win this trophy.
What a mess by UEFA, utterly ridiculous. I was disappointed to not have the Salzburg tie as they’re the weakest team left in the competition maybe. Realistically though only PSG from the group runners up pot bothered me. Liverpool are levels above every other team we could have drawn so I will take Inter no problem. They are only 1 point ahead of a pretty crappy Milan side in Serie A that we beat twice.
I would agree here for sure. The English clubs really have a much tougher schedule than any other league in Europe. That's also why Jürgen Klopp frequently goes nuts when his players have to play two games in under 45 hours, sometimes even away games. I think that is too much and they have to control for the loads the players have to physically bear.
On that basis, the English league looks flawlessly interesting, and by the way I personally do not see how it affects the players, even with such a schedule they play well, but you can only say so if you do not know the inner workings so to speak, as they have everything in reality I do not know. I think Klopp is not the only one expressing dissatisfaction
I would say that players who play three to four times within 7 - 8 days are more prone to injuries than players who play only two times over the same timespan. Generally I agree with you that they shouldn't be complaining too much, but I see the disadvantage when you compete on the absolute highest level with Manchester City and Chelsea and your own team has an even tougher schedule than them with more rest, I think it does come potentially with negative effects.
You know, a top team has to live up to the prefix "top." Yes, it's unfair that other teams have more rest, but, sorry, they play much worse, I'm not talking about Manchester City and some other teams, I think they also have a very busy schedule at some points, I'm talking about others who are way below them in the table. They can complain all they want, and if their complaints are met, fine, but until that happens, there's nothing they can do
Especially the Barcelona - Napoli draw makes me excited more. There is around a two-month time period until the first games to start. This is a long enough time period for Barcelona to pull themselves together I suppose. Xavi needs to work really hard with the players and get them ready for the Europa League games also. But if they only focus on La Liga, then Napoli would do the same Benfica did to Barcelona in the group stage. 
If the match held in next few weeks i guess we have the winner already between barcelona vs napoli right? luckily there is sufficient time for barcelona to improve everything and get a title of the season at least rather than nothing .. as mathematically barcelona are out of la liga title race and this is one of the prestigious one that they could reach.
interesting draw though. i just wish sheriff tiraspol could bring us some entertainment through their unexpected crazy on fire performance.
A top match has been drawn, which could have been Europa League final. Barca against Napoli will certainly be a top-class match. For me, both teams are favorites for the title.
I think that either Dortmund, Napoli or FC Porto have the best chances to win the title. Then follows Barca and Sevilla. Especially Sevilla should never be underestimated in this Cup.
I think that either Dortmund, Napoli or FC Porto have the best chances to win the title. Then follows Barca and Sevilla. Especially Sevilla should never be underestimated in this Cup.
Barcelona will facing strong opponent this time and their previous records during met Italian teams on Europe competitions also quite bad because last time they were lost against Juventus and moreover team condition not in the good shape after defeated by Bayern several days ago but i'm curious to watching their performance against Napoli whether they can able to win or not
Especially the Barcelona - Napoli draw makes me excited more. There is around a two-month time period until the first games to start. This is a long enough time period for Barcelona to pull themselves together I suppose. Xavi needs to work really hard with the players and get them ready for the Europa League games also. But if they only focus on La Liga, then Napoli would do the same Benfica did to Barcelona in the group stage.
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