While the Champions League receives the utmost attention each year, the next tier of European festivals is played for continental glory in the Europa League.
Often, the Europa League pits big clubs that have had difficult seasons last year against Europe’s biggest upstarts in the hope of making their mark at the top and their overall confidence for years to come.
That’s precisely the case in the 2023/24 Europa League, with heavy favourites Liverpool and Italian giants AC Milan hoping to redeem their recent failures, while Bayer Leverkusen and Brighton
The Sporting News takes a look at the favourites who could compete for a Europa League trophy, which for some would open up new fortunes on the horizon, while for others it would mean a return to prominence in a bigger change.
REPORT: Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso has used his love of football at the club
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There is only one team that has the most productive ability and a historic European pedigree in this area, and that is Liverpool. Topping the Premier League table in mid-December while bombing their Europa League group, Jurgen Klopp’s task as manager this season has been impressive given his long list of injuries.
The Reds completely reshaped their midfield beyond the offseason, and the new additions are proving to be as influential as they had hoped. While there are still some defensive issues and even mistakes in the complete breakdown of the front, this Liverpool team is favourites for the well-deserved title bets, with exquisite skill and sensational intensity to face a very busy schedule.
Dealing with Mohamed Salah’s departure to the Africa Cup of Nations will be the biggest challenge, but they have the ability to triumph over almost any issue of variety and a high-level coach to manage the personalities in the dressing room.
Under rising star Xabi Alonso, Bayer Leverkusen has been one of the funniest stories of the 2023/24 season. They occupy the most sensitive position in the Bundesliga table until mid-December and remain the only club in Europe’s ‘big five’ leagues. They are still unbeaten this season, with 19 wins and only 3 draws in all competitions.
Hoping to erase the derisive nickname of “Neverkusen” with cutlery on the fronts this season, Alonso’s edgy 3-4-2-1 combined vital urgency with dominance of ownership, leading the Bundesliga through a typhoon and becoming the latest revolution in European tactics.
The question for Leverkusen is not “can they?” — that answer is emphatically positive — but instead “will they?” Leverkusen throughout the years have had the capability but not the execution, and this side lacks the depth to overcome any serious run of injuries. Alonso will have to be precise with how he manages the minutes of his most important players, but if he can keep them fit and at their best, this is unquestionably the most dangerous side in the Europa League.
MORE: Bayer Leverkusen heavyweights looking to erase club’s historic problem
Chelsea castoff Christian Pulisic has found new life in Italy, helping to lead AC Milan in the club’s resurgence. While they reached the Champions League semifinals last season, it always felt that squad was punching above its weight, barely clinging to fourth in the Serie A table down the stretch of the campaign.
This year they got a brutal Champions League organization, and although they didn’t reach the knockout stage of the UCL, they managed to secure a position in the Europa League and will be one of the toughest organizations left. Pulisic has been the strongest player on the team. Productive striker, with more accuracy and influence than even Portuguese star Rafael Leao, who has just returned from injury. Pulisic plays alongside Yunus Musah, who has worked hard to earn a spot on the team.
Still, if Milan want to make deep progress in Europe and have a chance of winning the title, they certainly want Leao to do his best. He has largely played this season isolated from the rest of his team and has had some of his best moments. moments in which he combines with his teammates in the attacking third. If Stefano Pioli can get Leao to shoot in front of a prolific Pulisic, this team has a chance to win silver, but as the calendar turns to 2024, they are not at their most productive. However, he wants more.
How we do it #NEWACM #UCL #SempreMilan pic. twitter. com/bJo7cVPaK2
Brighton’s transformation
There can be genuine strength in “we’re just glad to be here” if players adopt the mindset of having nothing to lose. However, this team isn’t one to look beyond that either. The Premier League seems to be starting to take notice of De Zerbi’s tactical innovations, but Europe may not be so prepared to attack his transitional inventions. They hope to form England teams away from home, rather than facing local opponents.
After winning the club’s first major European trophy last season by winning the Europa Conference League title, West Ham are about to go further. The domestic effects have been very irregular for David Moyes this season, but the victories against Tottenham and Chelsea turn out to be capable of achieving effects against the big clubs.
They managed their Europa League group fixtures extremely well and found winning moments often, but tougher challenges lie ahead. Knowing relegation isn’t a likely event this season unless things go exceedingly sour, Moyes will be able to prioritise European play as he manages his squad, but they will still need to find more consistency to have a shot at winning a second consecutive continental crown, especially without the critical services of club legend Declan Rice this time around.
Jose Mourinho hopes to improve his reputation as a three-year specialist as Roma sneak up on the rest of Italy despite an injury-plagued squad. At the end of the Europa League stage, Roma have suffered just one defeat in Serie A since the beginning of October and, although they have failed to correct their four-team ranking in Europe, it is difficult for any team.
However, this is the blow for Roma: they are not even considered a dangerous opponent, but one that the best teams will find difficult to dismiss. Even though they reached the final last year and the semi-final in 2021. , the Roma have to achieve effects regardless of opposition, which can be an unsustainable method.
Still, with Romelu Lukaku having compatibility and Paulo Dybala healthy, Mourinho has his most talented squad yet in the Italian capital, and if he can manage the domestic and continental fronts effectively, Roma can cause enough problems for the groups to make a career.
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United States: In the United States, the entire 2023/24 Europa League will be available to watch in English exclusively on Paramount. In the meantime, a Spanish-language broadcast will be offered on TUDN or its sister channel Univision. Both Spanish-language channels are available to stream on Fubo.
United Kingdom: Europa League matches are broadcast in the United Kingdom via TNT Sports and streamed on its websites and app platforms, as well as other Discovery features.
Canada: Every Europa League game streams live on DAZN in Canada.
Australia: In Australia, each and every UEFA Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League match is broadcast on Stan Sport ad-free, live and on-demand on Stan Sport.
As the group stage wraps up, the clubs still alive in the competition will be preparing themselves for the draw to come on Monday, December 18.
Those who finish first in their organization will earn a pass to the knockout tiers, while those who finish second at the organization level will have to face a playoff against organizations that come out of the Champions League.