Hey there, football fanatics! With UEFA Europa League slowly making its way towards the next stage, the tension is at its peak among enthusiasts. The competition has been nothing but nail-biting so far with some of the biggest names walking away with unexpected outcomes. However, amidst the chaos and thrill, there are a few clubs that have been consistently performing and putting up great shows in their respective matches. Let’s take a quick look at which clubs are still in the Europa League and what they bring to the table.
Starting with the Manchester United, it’s no surprise they have been the center of attention lately. After a rocky start to the season, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side has been on an impressive winning streak, making their way to the Europa League knockout stage with ease. Arsenal, on the other hand, had a rough start to the tournament, but they slowly found their footing and are now emerging as a strong contender for the league. Rangers FC, The Scottish Premiership giants, have also been putting up an impressive show, indicating that they are ready for a challenging road ahead.
The group stage was nothing but a warm-up for these clubs as they take their first leap towards the knockout stages. With the competition getting tougher with every game, it’s going to be thrilling to see who outlasts the other in the Europa League. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the show as the clubs battle it out for the ultimate glory in European football.
Europa League
As the Europa League competition heats up, there are still several clubs fighting for the chance to lift the trophy at the end of the season. The Europa League is the second-tier tournament in Europe after the Champions League, but that doesn’t stop it from being fiercely competitive and highly entertaining.
- Arsenal
- AC Milan
- Villarreal
- Roma
- Tottenham Hotspur
- Dinamo Zagreb
- Molde
- Granada
These are the eight clubs that are still in contention in the Europa League. As you can see from the list, there are some big names in there, such as Arsenal, AC Milan, and Tottenham Hotspur. However, there are also some lesser-known teams, such as Molde and Granada, who will be looking to cause some upsets.
The Europa League is an unpredictable competition, which is what makes it so exciting. While there are some favorites, such as Arsenal and AC Milan, anything can happen on any given day.
| Club | Country | Champion League Drop-outs |
|---|---|---|
| Arsenal | England | No |
| AC Milan | Italy | No |
| Villarreal | Spain | Yes |
| Roma | Italy | Yes |
| Tottenham Hotspur | England | No |
| Dinamo Zagreb | Croatia | Yes |
| Molde | Norway | No |
| Granada | Spain | No |
As you can see from the table above, some teams dropped down from the Champions League, such as Villarreal and Roma. This makes the competition even more interesting, as teams that were expected to compete at the highest level now find themselves battling it out in the Europa League.
Overall, the Europa League is shaping up to be an exciting tournament, with plenty of drama and thrills still to come. Who will lift the trophy at the end of the season? Only time will tell.
Qualification Rounds
Before the Europa League group stage, there are a number of qualification rounds that teams must go through in order to secure their place in the tournament. These rounds consist of four different paths: Champions Path, League Path, Main Path, and the newly introduced Conference Path.
- Champions Path: teams who finish in the domestic league title positions three to six in associations ranked one to four on the UEFA country coefficient rankings, and teams who finish in the domestic league title positions one to four in associations ranked five to six.
- League Path: teams who finish in the domestic league position five and six in associations ranked one to four on the UEFA country coefficient rankings, and teams who finish in the domestic league position five and six in associations ranked five to six.
- Main Path: teams who are not eligible for the Champions Path or League Path.
The Conference Path is a new addition to the competition, beginning in the 2021/2022 season. It consists of teams that have been eliminated from the Champions League qualifying rounds and are ranked lower than the teams that qualify for the Europa League Main Path.
Each path has multiple rounds of knockout matches, with ties consisting of two legs (home and away). The losing team is eliminated, while the winning team progresses to the next round. The number of teams that progress from each path to the group stage varies by association and round.
| Path | Number of Teams Progressing |
|---|---|
| Champions Path | 6 |
| League Path | 9 |
| Main Path | 10 |
The qualification rounds can provide some of the most interesting matchups of the entire tournament, with underdog teams fighting for a spot in the prestigious group stage. It’s also a great opportunity to see some of the lesser-known teams and leagues compete against each other.
Group stage
The Europa League group stage is comprised of 48 teams. These teams are divided into 12 groups of four teams each, with each team playing the other teams in their group twice, once at home and once away. The top two teams in each group advance to the knockout stage of the tournament.
- 21 clubs from the top-five leagues in Europe – England, Spain, Italy, Germany, and France – started in the group stage of the Europa League this season.
- There were also five English clubs in the group stage, more than any other country. These were Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Leicester City, West Ham United, and Rangers.
- Other notable clubs in the group stage this season include Napoli, Lyon, Villarreal, PSV Eindhoven, and Dynamo Zagreb.
Changes to the group stage format
This season saw some changes to the format of the Europa League group stage. In previous years, there were 12 groups of four teams each, meaning that a total of 48 teams competed in the group stage. However, for the 2021-22 season, there were only 36 teams in the group stage. This was achieved by having eight groups of four teams each, and a further four groups of three teams.
The reasoning behind this change was to make the group stage more competitive. With only three teams in some groups, the margin for error was smaller, and every point was crucial. It also ensured that every team played at least two fewer games in the group stage, which is a welcome break for some clubs who have found themselves struggling with fixture congestion in recent years.
Group stage standings
Below is a table showing the final standings in each group at the end of the group stage.
| Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D |
|---|---|---|---|
| Villarreal | Dinamo Zagreb | Spartak Moscow | Legia Warsaw |
| Qarabag FK | West Ham United | Napoli | Rapid Vienna |
| Maccabi Tel Aviv | Genk | Leicester City | Ferencvaros |
| Astana | Rapid Wien | Omonoia Nicosia | Sparta Prague |
The knockout stage of the Europa League will commence in February 2022, with the round of 16 set to take place over the course of two legs.
Knockout Stage
The Europa League is now in its knockout stage where teams compete in a single-elimination tournament. The remaining 16 teams will face each other in two legs, home and away, and the aggregate score will determine which teams will advance to the next round. Here are the four subtopics to discuss who’s still in the running:
- Remaining Teams
- Matchups
- Favorites
- Underdogs
The remaining 16 teams are a good mix of well-known clubs as well as some unexpected surprises. Among the teams are perennial contenders like Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, and AC Milan. However, there are also lesser-known teams like Granada, Villarreal, and Slavia Prague that are making a name for themselves in this season’s Europa League.
The matchups for this round are quite exciting as well. Arsenal will face off against Olympiacos in a rematch of last year’s round of 32. AC Milan, who have been performing well this season, will take on Manchester United in one of the most anticipated fixtures of the round. Other matchups include Tottenham Hotspur vs. Dinamo Zagreb, Roma vs. Shakhtar Donetsk, and Ajax vs. Young Boys.
As for favorites, Manchester United and Arsenal are top contenders to win the Europa League this season. Manchester United has been in good form lately and has a strong squad that can compete with any team in the tournament. Arsenal, on the other hand, is looking to redeem themselves after a disappointing season and will be fighting hard to bring home the trophy.
| Team | Current Odds to Win |
|---|---|
| Manchester United | 3/1 |
| Arsenal | 6/1 |
| AC Milan | 8/1 |
| Tottenham Hotspur | 9/1 |
However, in knockout tournaments, there is always the possibility for upsets. While some of the remaining teams are not as well-known or as highly rated, they should not be underestimated. Granada, Villarreal, and Slavia Prague have already caused a few surprises this season, and they will be hungry to continue their impressive runs in the competition.
English Premier League clubs in Europa
The English Premier League provides some of the strongest football clubs in Europe. These teams have been a force to reckon with in both domestic and international competitions. Here are the English teams competing in the Europa League:
- Arsenal
- Tottenham Hotspurs
- Leicester City
- Manchester United
These English clubs have a great track record in the Europa League. For instance, Manchester United is a three-time winner of the competition. Arsenal and Tottenham, on the other hand, have reached the final in the recent past. The English Premier League fans will be eagerly following the progress of these teams in the ongoing season.
In the 2021/2022 season, the four English teams will be looking to navigate through the group stages and reach the knockout phase. The knockout phase is always unpredictable, and the teams that perform well could go on to lift the trophy.
Past Winners from the English Premier League
- 2017 Manchester United
- 2013 Chelsea
- 2010 Atletico Madrid (coached by former Tottenham manager, Diego Simeone)
Where to Watch English Premier League Clubs in Europa
Football fans across the world will be looking for ways to engage with the Europa League games. The games are usually broadcasted on various channels and platforms globally. In the UK, the games will be broadcasted on BT Sport and ITV4. In the US, the games will be broadcasted on CBS All Access and Univision. In Asia, the games will be aired on Fox Sports and SuperSport in Africa.
Comparison between the Europa League and Champions League
The Europa League is UEFA’s second-tier club competition, while the Champions League is the highest level of club competition in Europe. The Europa League is for teams that were not able to qualify for the Champions League. Some of these teams could be the domestic cup winners, runners-up in the domestic leagues, or teams that finished third in the Champions League group stages. Generally, the Europa League is seen as a less prestigious trophy compared to the Champions League.
| Champions League | Europa League | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of teams | 32 | 48 |
| Prestige | High | Low |
| Prize money | High | Low |
| Number of matches | 125 | 205 |
Overall, both competitions provide a platform for Europe’s top clubs to showcase their footballing skills. While the Champions League is seen as the ultimate prize, the Europa League is a crucial competition for some teams looking to prove a point both domestically and internationally. The ongoing season promises to be an exciting one for all English Premier League clubs in the Europa League.
Spanish La Liga clubs in Europa
Spain has always been a strong contender in European football, and the 2020-21 season is no different. Currently, six Spanish La Liga clubs are still in the Europa League, each fighting for a chance to lift the trophy in the final in May. Here’s a closer look at each of them:
- Real Sociedad: Currently sitting at the top of Group F, Real Sociedad has been in great form in the Europa League this season. With four wins and a draw in their five matches, they are one of the favorites to win the competition.
- Villarreal: Another team that has had a strong showing in Europe this season is Villarreal. They are currently second in Group I, with three wins and two draws. Their biggest challenge in the knockout stages will likely be avoiding the big guns like Manchester United and Arsenal.
- Granada: This is Granada’s first time in Europe, and they have not disappointed so far. They are currently second in Group E, with three wins and two losses. If they can continue their solid form, they could prove to be a dark horse in the competition.
- Betis: Betis started the Europa League campaign strongly, but a run of three straight losses has seen them slip to third in Group I. They will need to improve if they want to progress to the knockout stages.
- Valencia: Valencia has had a bit of a mixed bag in Europe this season. Currently bottom of Group H with just one win from five matches, they will need to put in a strong performance in their last match to have any chance of progressing.
- Getafe: Getafe has been the biggest disappointment among the Spanish clubs in the Europa League this season. Currently bottom of Group C with just one point from five matches, they have already been eliminated from the competition.
In summary, Spain has six clubs still in the Europa League, with Real Sociedad and Villarreal the most likely to go deep into the competition. Granada is a dark horse, while Betis, Valencia, and Getafe will need to up their game if they want to progress to the next round.
Italian Serie A clubs in Europa
As of the 2021/2022 season, there are seven Italian Serie A clubs that have qualified for the group stage of the Europa League. These teams will compete against other European clubs for a chance to advance to the knockout stages of the competition.
- AC Milan
- AS Roma
- Bologna
- Fioerentina
- Lazio
- Napoli
- Sassuolo
AC Milan is perhaps the most well-known of the Italian Serie A teams in Europa. The club has a rich history in European football, having won seven European trophies, including five Champions League titles. They will look to add to their trophy cabinet with a strong showing in this year’s Europa League.
Roma is another Italian Serie A team with a solid European pedigree. The club has reached the final of the Europa League once before, losing out to Inter Milan in the 1990/1991 season. They will be hoping to go one better this time around and lift the trophy for the first time in their history.
Fans of Bologna, Fiorentina, Lazio, Napoli, and Sassuolo will be hoping their teams can make an impact in Europe this season too. Each team has talented players and the potential to cause upsets against some of the bigger teams in the competition.
| Club | Best Performance in Europa League/UEFA Cup |
|---|---|
| AC Milan | Champions (5 times) |
| AS Roma | Runners-up (1 time) |
| Bologna | Group stage (3 times) |
| Fiorentina | Final (1 time) |
| Lazio | Quarter-finals (2 times) |
| Napoli | Round of 16 (3 times) |
| Sassuolo | Group stage (1 time) |
As the competition progresses, Italian Serie A fans will be eagerly watching the progress of their teams in Europa. Whether it’s AC Milan lifting yet another European trophy or one of the smaller clubs making a name for themselves on the European stage, there is sure to be plenty of drama and excitement in store.
Which Clubs are Still in Europa?
1. What is Europa League?
Europa League is a professional football league for club teams in Europe. It is the second-tier club competition, after the Champions League.
2. Which clubs have qualified for the Europa League round of 16?
The 16 clubs that qualified for the round of 16 are Arsenal, Benfica, Dinamo Zagreb, Granada, Manchester United, AC Milan, Ajax, Club Brugge, Olympiacos, Roma, Shakhtar Donetsk, Tottenham Hotspur, Villarreal, Young Boys, Dynamo Kyiv, and Molde.
3. What happened to some of the big clubs like Liverpool and Inter Milan?
Liverpool and Inter Milan were eliminated in the earlier stages of the competition. Liverpool was knocked out in the round of 32 by RB Leipzig, and Inter Milan was eliminated by Shakhtar Donetsk in the same stage.
4. Which teams are the favorites to win the Europa League this season?
Some of the favorites to win the Europa League this season are Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, and AC Milan.
5. When will the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final be played?
The quarter-finals will be played on 8 and 15 April, the semi-finals on 29 April and 6 May, and the final will be played on 26 May.
6. Where can I watch the Europa League matches?
The Europa League matches can be watched on various sports channels and streaming services, depending on the region you are in.
7. How important is the Europa League for the clubs?
The Europa League is an important competition for the clubs as it offers them the chance to win a trophy and qualify for the Champions League in the following season.
Closing Thoughts
Thanks for reading about which clubs are still in Europa. With the Europa League round of 16 set to begin, football fans around the world are eagerly waiting to see who will come out on top. Remember to check back for more updates and news on this exciting competition.