Champions League drop-outs meet in final
Chelsea and Benfica sealed their place in the Amsterdam
final of the UEFA Europa League last night by knocking out Basel and Fenerbahce
respectively in two pulsating two-legged encounters.
Both sides clambered down from the top table of European
football having finished third in their groups, but they’ve since rejuvenated their
European campaigns by reaching the showpiece event in UEFA’s second-string
competition.
It’s led to suggestions that allowing the Champions League
failures to compete in the Europa League devalues the tournament and is unfair
to the clubs that started out in the former UEFA Cup to begin with.
I do have some sympathy with the lesser lights that may feel
the obstacles put in their way by the big boys coming to play are hindering
their chances of winning a trophy. There is absolutely no doubt that seeing
the likes of Chelsea, Dynamo Kiev, Zenit, Ajax and Benfica enter the
competition would dishearten many of the clubs already engrossed in the Europa
League.
Basel and Fener are two such clubs that started out in the
Europa League groups, made it all the way to the semis, before meeting their
end against former Champions League participants. It may well be that the Swiss
and Turkish sides in question feel aggrieved by losing out to those opponents, when
they could feel they shouldn’t have been there in the first place. My argument
against that would be that whatever competition you enter, the rules are known from
the outset and all clubs must abide by and respect them.
For neutrals and fans of those clubs that are granted a
second chance, it most definitely increases the quality on show in the
tournament; whether or not the sides from the Champions League deserve another
opportunity. It’s only possible to make
the Europa League a better tournament and more competitive field by introducing
the aforementioned teams. It’s led to a final that could grace the Champions
League stage between two top sides; one the reigning Champions of Europe (for a
little while longer at least!) and the other leaders of the Portuguese Liga.
After highly disappointing exits from the Champions League, both Chelsea and Benfica have shown great resolve and a will-to-win in forcing their way to the May 15 finale. Whoever eventually lifts the trophy will fully deserve the accolades afforded to them.
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