GWT: Europa League - 2022/23 Group Stages

[Rob]

Not pretty, but a win is a win at this point. Win the next one and we're basically through. Could be guaranteed if PSV doesn't win this afternoon

Yeah it was as bad a win as they come. Thankfully Bodo couldn’t finish. I have to wonder how much of a factor the artificial turf was?

I just hope this doesn’t carry over to Sunday.

 

[robertmac43]

I wouldn't read too much into that Arsenal performance. They got the result, rested some key members of the squad, and have basically guaranteed to move on to the next group.

They will get up for the game Sunday

 

[Lambo]

SC Freiburg is becoming a steamroller!

 

[hatterson]

I know he wants to keep Antony fresher, but it's hard for me to dislike a sub more than Sancho on for Antony.

 

[Jussi]

No penalty, eh?

 

[hatterson]

No penalty, eh?

That was the right call. His arm was literally behind his back. He leaned into it, but he's got nowhere else to put his arm.

The lack of a red was a poor call though.

 

[Jussi]

That was the right call. His arm was literally behind his back. He leaned into it, but he's got nowhere else to put his arm.

The lack of a red was a poor call though.

Yeah, that falls into "natural position". Curious about yellow instead of red for the tackle on Casemiro. Lunges in studds first...

 

[Jussi]

Omonia's keeper has definitely earned his paycheck.

 

[hatterson]

United's finishing has been a bit off, but at the same time them being up 4-0 wouldn't feel remotely unfair. Keeper is having himself a game.

 

[hatterson]

It's insane how imbalanced the formation is with Sancho on. They took off Antony for Sancho and immediately all attack from the right side died and now there's far too many players on the left side so it's easy for the defense to overload the ball.

 

[robertmac43]

Union's fans are sooo fun! Man I need to get out to Berlin

 

[Jussi]

MCDOMINATOR!

 

[hatterson]

MCDOMINATOR!

Honestly feel a little bad for the keeper. He had an insane game and now it counts for nothing.

 

[Savi]

Rennes is through and Nantes is basically out.
Nantes lost and didn't replace Kolo Muani and clearly they have no business playing the EL this year.

Rough night for L1 teams with Monaco getting trashed as well and Nice losing to some Czech midtable team

One of the best owngoals of the year in the Monaco game too

 

[Jussi]

Sancho with a great set up for the goal. Dummies two defenders, pin point pass to McTominay. He seems to prefer the left side over the right side.

 

[hatterson]

Sancho with a great set up for the goal. Dummies two defenders, pin point pass to McTominay. He seems to prefer the left side over the right side.

I still stand by the statement that they were way way too unbalanced with both Rashford and Sancho over there. I don't think it's surprising that the goal came after a switch of play when Rashford wasn't close to that side so there was a lot more open pitch.

 

[Evilo]

Rough night for L1 teams with Monaco getting trashed as well and Nice losing to some Czech midtable team

Didn't see Nice (I thought they were leading 1-0) but they're trash this year.
As for Monaco, they're still in their summer holidays. I watched the game and Monaco controlled the game in the first half, playing with their usual "we're enjoying the sun" urgency.
Then all of a sudden out of NOWHERE, Nubel shot the ball into his own defenseman with nobody near him. Ball bounced into the goal right before halftime. I have no idea how Nubel managed to do that, he couldn't have done it if he tried.
Monaco came back into the second half looking more lazy than ever, and Trabzon scored on a FK under the wall off the post (yeah I know, how are the chances this happens?) and then on a corner where nobody tried to jump to defend. Then Vanderson managed to miss a control to give Trezeguet the goal (after another Nubel disaster class).

I have no idea how they could clearly show they were the best team and still managed to be exploded 4-0 (I switched off after the 4th so I don't know if it's the final score). Lazyness, they don't care. And Nubel breaking their backbone twice again.

 

[Savi]

their usual "we're enjoying the sun" urgency.

Holiday mode seems a bit harsh because they're on a 5 game winning streak in L1
But L1 looks a bit weird this year with Lorient being "best of the rest" so far

 

[cgf]

Kevin Schade now with a goal every 60min in both the EL & BuLi.

Good guys move to 1pt behind Braga before the portuguese outfit visits the Alte Försterei.

 

[luiginb]

But beyond that, our defense just doesn't look cohesive. I think we're missing having a second left footed CB to partner with Holding. Not that I love Mari, but I wouldn't have minded keeping him around as cover.

He's been good for Monza this year, but maybe that's because that's his level.

 

[Bringer of Jollity]

Union SG v Braga another crazy game, Union really are a must watch

Definitely the most entertaining Union in the competition.

 

[Evilo]

Holiday mode seems a bit harsh because they're on a 5 game winning streak in L1
But L1 looks a bit weird this year with Lorient being "best of the rest" so far

L1 sucks this year has except for a couple of teams.
We'll suck on Europe I believe (I know I said the opposite last year but the dynamic was totally different and it showed).
Besides the fact 4 teams will go down is making most teams focus on defending in the league rather than do anything in Europe.
The teams to watch are PSG, Lorient, OM, Rennes and Lens. Rest is meh... Lyon might be interesting with Blanc.
Monaco's inner quality will give them wins but their actual performance on the pitch is lame.

 

[Evilo]

Trabzon scored 4 goals on Monaco out of 0.82 xG yesterday

 

[Evilo]

 

[robertmac43]

Group F is going to have a wild finish.