The Impact of the Premier League
Snapshot from an earlier match this season between Tottenham and United, Photo: Reuters
Liverpool may have given the impression that their Premier League opponents were lacking this season, but European competitions tell a different story…
Manchester United and Tottenham, currently positioned 14th and 16th in the English Premier League with four matches left, have opened the doors for a potential Europa League final appearance, the continent’s second-tier competition.
The Old Trafford side triumphed over Athletic Bilbao away with a score of 3:0 in the first leg of the semifinals, while the North London outfit secured a home victory against Bode/Glimt.
Since the UEFA Cup was rebranded to the Europa League in the 2009/10 season, no team has reached the final sitting lower than 12th in their domestic league. Sevilla clinched the title in 2023 while finishing 12th in La Liga, and Fulham lost the final in 2010 from the same position.
“Understanding this situation is complex; sometimes context matters. We could win the Europa League while facing ongoing challenges in the Premier League. It’s tough to juggle both competitions, especially with injuries at play. It’s difficult even for our players,” stated Ruben Amorim, Manchester United’s coach.
If both teams secure their spot in the final during the second leg, it will result in the Premier League boasting six representatives in the Champions League next season.
Additionally, Chelsea is almost guaranteed a spot in the Conference League final after defeating Djurgarden 4:1 in Sweden, while Arsenal aims to remedy a 1:0 loss from the first leg in their Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain with an away match.
This further showcases the Premier League’s strength, especially at a time when even the dominant team in recent years, Manchester City, isn’t leading the championship race in England or Europe.
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