Here it is, the big one. Groups are set for the 2019-20 UEFA Europa League. Feel free to discuss.
Group A
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Sevilla
APOEL
FK Qarabag
Dudelange
Group B
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Dynamo Kiev
FC Copenhagen
FC Malmo
Lugano
Group C
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FC Basel
Krasnodar
Getafe
Trabzonspor
Group D
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Sporting Lisbon CP
PSV Eindhoven
Rosenborg
LASK Linz
Group E
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Lazio
Celtic
Rennes
Cluj
Group F
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Arsenal
Eintracht Frankfurt
Standard Liege
Vitora Setubal
Group G
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Porto
Young Boys
Feyenoord
Rangers FC
Group H
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CSKA Moscow
Ludogorets
Espanyol
Ferencvaros
Group I
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Wolfsburg
Gent
St. Etienne
Olexandriya
Group J
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AS Roma
Borussia Moenchengladbach
Istanbul Basakbehir
Wolfsberg
Group K
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Besiktas
Braga
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Slovan Bratislava
Group L
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Manchester United
Astana
Partizan Belgrade
AZ Alkmaar
Looks like Arsenal have been handed a manageable group and Manchester United will be racking up those frequent flyer miles. I never realized there were two Wolfsburg's and I'd never heard of Olexandriya.
So....Arsenal v Man United in the final?
Comments
I don't think ManU has the depth/experience to go unscathed in this tournament unless they prioritize it heavily over the league, which I don't see happening. I think it'll be Arsenal v. someone dropping down from UCL.
With the travel involved I would expect Ole to be playing the younger kids and saving the better players for the league
I think you'll get out of groups. I don't think you'll make it all the way. Could be wrong though. I'm obviously optimistic about Arsenal but these types of tournaments are always easy to slip up in. More confident we finish top 4 than win the EL this year.
I'd like to see if any team breaks out of the groups stage which is a cinedrella
Europa always seems hard to figure out. You always get some "random" teams you've never heard of surprising bigger named clubs because they never get the world-wide coverage the major leagues get. Also, you have to factor UCL teams getting knocked out and coming into the competition. I agree with HokieBone though... I see Arsenal and a team from UCL in the final. Hopefully the Gunners don't have to rely on winning it this year, but it would be a nice trophy to have.
V manageable group for arsenal and really heavy travel involved which is nice as well. Not sure that UEL can have a "group of death" but the only one that looks like you could see some big time upsets is Group J. Istanbul Basaksehir is pretty good and have some very seasoned players. I could see Wolves making it out of Group K as well
Anybody watch the Arsenal game today? I couldn't. I did not expect that score line - it was a pleasant surprise.
Gunners trotted out a backline of Kolasinac-Luiz-Mustafi-Chambers ... and kept a clean sheet on the road in Europe? Eintracht Frankfurt hadn't been beaten at home in Europa since 2006.
Saka had a great great game. Wasn't watching actively but was catching a little here and there as I could.
We still looked terrible with allowing dozens of shots. I'll say though that Mustafi and Martinez played very well, Xhaka was immense (He's suited for games in Europe), and Saka was everywhere.
Some good, but not enough to alleviate any fears about our general weaknesses.
Wolfsburg got a very manageable draw, and given how good they've looked so far this fall, they should make a run. Expecting semis this year, and a high enough Bundesliga finish to earn a Champion's League bid next year.
Love the coverage by B/R so happy they got the rights to european soccer and immediately made it a sub service.
big time showing from arsenal yesterday. Love seeing Tierney, Bellerin, and Holding play and keep another CS -- means that they should be fit to start after the international break against Sheffield United. Consider me very impressed by Gabriel Martinelli -- similar to Matteo Guendouzi in that he came from a lower tier league abroad and seemed like a gamble on potential, but there is very clearly class and ability to contribute to the squad over the course of the season. His movement in the box to find a pocket a space is unreal.
Auba has to be looking forward to playing with two fullbacks who can actually cross the ball accurately. Tierney was 👌🏻. Imagine actually looking up before playing in a cross (*cough* Kolasinac)
PLUS Emery actually played Torreira in his actual position. Though honestly he may have been the weakest link on the field (albeit weakest in a squad that won 4-0).
I read somewhere that he didn't want to sign Torreira, he wanted Steven N'Zonzi. So I'm not surprised he doesn't seem to favor him.
Also couldn't believe he brought on Aubameyang and Guendouzi up 4-0... would've been fired immediately if either had been injured
So united failed to muster a single shot on target against AZ ALALALAKSKSMSA and I'm not even surprised anymore. The team sheet is sad and whatever Ole has these guys doing at practice isnt working for shit I'm curious how much longer he gets to be the head coach before Woodward realizes nothing is working.
and you wonder why i shake my head when people around here say "we need a former player who gets the culture and what it takes to represent this team to come in and lead our current generation" about hokie football
However if things at the Arsenal continue down the current path I could see a world where Freddie Ljungberg takes the reigns with the senior squad one day. He's seemingly done great work with the emerging youth.
agreed - but "former player who gets the spirit of it all" is not the end all be all of requirements, it's the icing
Truth. Recent evidence tells me we shouldn't go hire Thierry Henry at this time, for instance.