Can Barcelona win the Europa league?
Having exited all domestic cup competition this season, the Europa league is the only piece of silverware the Blaugrana can hope to lift.
Xavi Hernandez men were knocked out of two cup competition in the space of two weeks, first losing to Real Madrid 3:2 in the semi final of the Super cup, before going down to the same scoreline to Athletic Bilbao in the round of 16 in the Copa del Rey.
Mathematical the Blaugrana could still win the Spanish La Liga, but with Los Blancos leading the league with 15pionts and Barcelona inconsistent form, it is safe to say the title is Real Madrid’s to win.
Apart from the piont gap difference between Barcelona and Real Madrid,the Galacticos under the guidance of Carlo Ancelotti have looked unbeatable, Karim Benzema and Vinicius junior have combined to score 33 goals for thier team, while Barcelona top scorer is Memphis Depay with 10goals who recently just returned to full fitness.
Madrid have beaten the top four team in La Liga, this season looks a sure bet to win the league despite Barcelona recent resurgence and Sevilla’s outstanding form.
This is the first time since the 2003 /2004 season that Barcelona is not playing in the knockout stages of the champions league and since it’s iteration as the UEFA cup and later rebranded as the Europa league Barcelona hasn’t lifted the trophy once.
Although it doesn’t compare to the glittes and glamour of the Champions league the Europa league is a prestigious tournament and one of the oldest cup competition.
Atletico Madrid and Sevilla has dominated this trophy in recent times with the latter, Sevilla winning the trophy a record six times since it’s inception.
Spanish teams have found success whenever they play in the Europa league, the current holders are Villarreal,who has Europa league serial winner in Unai Emery as thier manager who has won the title a record 4 times.
Xavi Hernandez
Barcelona will be buyoued by the fact that they have a squad capable of going all the way to win the trophy. Joan Laporte Barcelona president also reaffirm the fact that the team are in the tournament to win it.
Only two of Barcelona current squad has lifted the trophy, Luuk De jong with Sevilla in the 2019/2020 season when he scored in the final against inter Milan and Daniel Alves twice in the 2005/2006 and 2006/2007 season.
Due to UEFA regulations Daniel Alves was registered in the Europa league squad and won’t be receiving a medal even if Barcelona wins the trophy.
Having defeated Italian side Napoli over two legs, Barcelona were drawn against turkey heavyweight Galatasaray in the round of 16 of the Europa league.
Xavi Hernandez and his team knows the threat that Galatasaray poses but insist his side is cable of defeating Domenec Torrent men.
Xavi spoke to the press earlier today and he said
“we’re looking forward to the match.its not the champions league but we’re playing with good dynamic and if we continue as we are we should continue like this.”
He also spoke about Galatasaray boss Domenec Torrent and he said;
“Dome is a friend. we were together in Qatar watching our training sessions and his style is very similar to ours.He needs time at Galatasaray but he had a lot of ability to do it well”.
when asked about his side being the favorite to win the title he played down Barcelona chances of winning the trophy and said;
“I don’t see Ourselves as one of the favorite in the Europa league. we don’t know the competition, we’ve never won it…. Sevilla are more favorites,sure, we’re one of the candidates, but this isn’t about moments,you have to prove it on the pitch.Every game is an exam”.
The Camp Nou faithful and the Barcelona fans indiaspora would surely love to see thier team lift up the trophy after a turbulent season that saw them lose club legend Messi and being knocked out of the champions league in the group stage.
Winning the Europa league would bring a sense of success and would mark the beginning of the XAVi era.
