The UEFA Europa League stands as the second most prestigious club competition in European football, second to the UEFA Champions League.
Recent changes to the Champions League format have affected the Europa League as well, as teams eliminated from the UCL after the first stage no longer drop down to the UEL. This has opened the door for the lesser-known clubs from across Europe to shine, offering them a rare opportunity to compete on a major stage, lift a coveted trophy, and earn a Champions League spot.
With the first legs of the Europa League semi-finals going in favour of Premier League heavyweights Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, an all-English final looks almost certain. Despite their strong performances in Europe, however, the two teams have endured dismal domestic campaigns.
At the time of writing, United sit 14th in the Premier League table, while Spurs are faring even worse and sit in 16th place. Neither team have made much of their domestic cup campaigns as well, leaving the Europa League as their only remaining source for redemption and, more crucially, their only realistic path to Champions League football for next season.
The Red Devils, drawn against LaLiga side Athletic Club in the UEL semis, won the first leg away from home with an emphatic 3-0 victory.
The game was in the balance until a contentious red card call reduced the Spanish side to ten men, making the going difficult for them. With numerical advantage on their side, United put three goals past a hapless Athletic as captain Bruno Fernandes scored a brace, with Casemiro also on the score sheet.
Athletic Club now have a mountain to climb in the second leg away at Old Trafford. Even though United’s home record in the league has been abysmal, in Europe they have done well and remain undefeated. Miracles have happened in football, but relinquishing a 3-0 lead at home seems far-fetched even for this Man United side.
Spurs, on the other hand, faced Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt, who have been on a fairy tale run of their own.
Playing against a Premier League side was going to be a tall order, which proved to be the case away from home as Spurs won the game 3-1, taking a two-goal advantage to the Arctic. Brennan Johnson, James Maddison, and Dominic Solanke ended up on the score sheet for the Lilywhites, while Ulrik Saltnes pulled a goal back for the visitors.
Even though nothing is impossible in football, Bodø will find it difficult to come back into this tie. Even though Spurs are prone to conceding goals under Ange Postecoglou, they have the required firepower up front to prevail and reach the final.
On the basis of the first-leg results, it is highly unlikely that the Europa League final ends up being anything but an all-English affair.
For either side, winning a trophy in an otherwise underwhelming season will be a welcome boost—especially with Champions League qualification on the line.
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