Just curious to know, what exactly is the problem if they or any other team make the Europa League? I recall historically, when it was called the UEFA CUP that it was a very prestigious tournament, so what has changed? Isn't there any money in it?
The UEFA Cup used to be a prestigious competition when it was restricted to the teams that had placed 2nd and 3rd in their league. After television started to dominate the game, the format for the European Cup (which became the Champions League) was changed in order to create more match-ups, and therefore garner a huge increase in tv ratings and the massive influx of money from advertisements, teams that placed 2nd and 3rd in their leagues qualifying for that competition instead. It was then that the prestige of the UEFA Cup declined precipitously.
But don't they get more games, money from advertisements as well as ticket sales etc teams for these Europa League games? If so, I'm sure they are making something. I mean maybe not like the CL but its something extra... It has to be better than the old Cup Winners Cup or the Coppa Italia...
Because nobody is interested in watching Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk vs. Hammarby in a summer qualifier except for Dnipro and Hammarby fans. The ratings (and therefore the advertising and the money) are with the big clubs: Manchester United, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus, AC Milan, etc etc. Therefore there's comparatively little financial incentive for the more prominent clubs to care about the competition. When the UEFA Cup was restricted to clubs that placed 2nd and 3rd in their league, it was common for them (the very big clubs) to make regular appearances in the competition. That changed when the format changed. That's why the different tiers of prominent clubs is becoming so ossified and pronounced. Ajax is a huge club with an extraordinary history. 15-20 years ago, it wouldn't have been that big of a deal if they had defeated a Manchester United or a Real Madrid. Now it's regarded as a huge upset, because it is. Even a club like Ajax can't compete with the money generated by the bigger leagues. What chance does Red Star Belgrade have of ever winning the CL, let alone a Nottingham Forest? None, unless there's a sheer miracle. The difference now is how money affects the game.
It still has to be better than the Coppa Italia. No one makes anything off of that. Unless you get to the final.
there's a trade off though. if you're going to play your full squad in an EL game, everyone's going to be tired for the league game on the weekend. that means you drop points. is advancing in the EL worth dropping down the league table a couple places? that affects the money too.
Exactly. Because your league standing will determine how much, if any, money a club receives from UEFA. That's why the emphasis on finishing in the top 3 or 4 is considered the be all and end all. Winning the league can be less important than simply finishing above 5th place, which, if you think about it, is rather ridiculous.
I was looking at it from the perspective of the clubs who aren't necessarily trying to qualify for the CL, what I'd call the third tier teams in Italy. I don't know how the prize money gets broken out for the Serie A, but I assume 5th place gets more than 8th does. If you're putting a real effort into the EL, you probably drop in the league, and I assume that lowers your league prize money more than you'd make for advancing in the EL. It goes without saying that finishing 4th and qualifying for the CL is much more attractive than finishing 5th and losing the final or reaching the semis of the EL. That's night and day financially.
Using this season as an example I was glad we got out of the UEL early bc the league is waaayyyyy more important to us this year with UCL qualifications an absolute must. Until there is more money in the UEL it won’t be worth sacrificing for unless it’s your only viable option into UCL or you are so well positioned in the League/Cup that you can reasonably swing it and not worry.
Anybody have thoughts on Castillejo starting over Suso? He has been better lately and we need to come out firing tomorrow.
sucks to lose especially to the scum, gotta keep our heads up and keep winning. saw the highlights and heard it was a hell of a game. My dad said most exciting derby in a while. Forza Milan.