The 2021-22 UEFA Europa League kicked off in September with 32 teams from 20 different countries competing for European glory.
With the introduction of the Conference League, quite a few changes have been made in the Europa League this season. The erstwhile Round of 32 has been scrapped. Instead, the first knockout, called the ‘knockout round playoff’ will involve the group stage runners-up clashing with the eight Champions League third-placed teams to make the Round of 16.
The eight winners from that round will lock horns with the eight group leaders, who have advanced directly to the Round of 16.
Knockout round play-off draw ✅🤩 Which game are you looking forward to most? #UELdraw | #UEL https://t.co/J7q7sJDiCs
It may play second fiddle to the Champions League, but the Europa League has had some phenomenal games over the years. The competition also provides a way for less-fancied teams to compete at a bigger stage and prove their worth.
It will be fascinating to see which team comes out on top this season. On that note, here are the top five contenders to win the Europa League this season:
# 5 RB Leipzig
,%20they%20are%20the%20only%20team%20to%20have%20successfully%20defended%20their%20title.%20%20In%20fact,%20Sevilla%20have%20done%20so%20thrice%20(2006,%202007%20and%202014-16),</p>%0A<p>Spanish%20sides%20have%20emerged%20victorious%2013%20times%20in%20the%20Europa%20League,%20which%20is%20more%20than%20any%20other%20nation.%20%20Sevilla%20have%20accounted%20for%20six%20of%20these%20titles.</p>%0A<div%20class=)
6 – Sevilla are the most successful side in UEFA Cup / Europa League history, reaching the final (six times including 2019-20) and winning the competition (five times) on more occasions than any other side. Mastered. #UEL https://t.co/7dAmYl6LZe
Sevilla were in Group G of the Champions League, alongside Lille, RB Salzburg, and Wolfsburg. They could only manage one win in the group stage, and finished in third place. With injuries to key players like Suso and Youssef En-Nesyri, Sevilla could only score a disappointing five goals in six games.
The Andalusian club are performing beyond expectations in the La Liga, though, currently trailing only league leaders Real Madrid. The Spanish side will now hope to recreate their magic in the Europa League, and go for a seventh title. Sevilla will face Dinamo Zagreb for a place in the Round of 16.
# 3 Napoli (1989 UEFA Cup / Europa League winners)
Barcelona exit at the group stage for the first time since 2000/01.#UCL https://t.co/GkHArc11ux
Barcelona will face Napoli for a place in the UEFA Europa League Round of 16. The five-time Champions League winners will look to salvage their season by winning their first Europa League title. However, Xavi will need the best performances from his men if they have to get the desired results.
# 1 Borussia Dortmund (two-time UEFA Cup / Europa League finalists)
,%20but%20the%20Portuguese%20side%20edged%20them%20on%20head-to-head.%20%20Dortmund%20have%20had%20a%20few%20disappointing%20games,%20recently%20but%20are%20currently%20second%20in%20the%20Bundesliga.</p>%0A<div%20class=)
Erling Haaland has scored 23 goals in just 19 Champions League games.Imagine what he’s going to do in the Europa League 😳 https://t.co/KGUxMsfHmh
The Black and Yellows, Champions League winners in 1997, will look to add another European trophy in the form of the Europa League. Considering the presence of the unstoppable Erling Haaland in their ranks, Dortmund are arguably the strongest contenders to win this season’s Europa League. The Norwegian seems to break records every time he steps on the pitch.
In February, Dortmund will welcome Scottish champions Rangers in the Europa League knockout playoffs. Dortmund fans will hope the likes of Haaland, Marco Reus, Giovanni Reyna and others will see their team over the line. Interestingly, Reyna’s father, Claudio, played for Rangers between 1999 and 2001.
.
Leave a Reply