Zenit has no chance of winning it. I’d say that the team that wins it won’t be in the EL until after the knock-out rounds. They’re in the CL for now.
https://www.football-italia.net/127564/how-zenit-convinced-marchisio ".....Claudio Marchisio will wear No 10 for Zenit St Petersburg, whose sporting director ‘never feared’ the midfielder would move elsewhere. Javier Ribalta was Juve’s chief scout between 2012 and 2017, and the Catalan revealed how his close links with Marchisio eventually took the 32-year-old to Zenit. “When I learned on 17 August that Marchisio had terminated his contract, I immediately called Claudio,” he told Tuttosport. “There was no intermediary: I knew him well from my five years at Juventus. He seemed interested and intrigued by our project from the first moment. “I honestly never feared he would choose a different club because Claudio, already from our first conversation over the phone, was very clear on his two priorities. “The first: a team who would ensure he didn’t cross paths with Juventus out of respect for their fans. “The second: fighting to win, which is very important for him. Let’s say we hope to run the risk of facing Juventus next season! “Claudio convinced me immediately: I didn’t find him to be sad but rather motivated and eager to try out this kind of adventure. “After that he talked to Criscito, who naturally spoke to him very well about the club and city. “Claudio then sent me a message on WhatsApp last week: “Javier, you know I’m used to winning and I want to keep winning. I’m sure that for Zenit, it’ll be a good deal.” Our fans are delighted, plus there are many Juventus supporters in St Peterburg, but Marchisio is an important signing, especially on a technical level: I hope he adds his extraordinary winning mentality to our team, who are already strong. “He’ll wear the No 10 shirt, but only because the No 8 was taken by Kranevitter and it couldn’t be changed for regulatory reasons. “A friendly match to wave off the Juventus fans? We haven’t talked about it, but we’ll see: why not?”
Yes they do. They are playing so they have a chance. Arsenal is not playing so they don't have a chance. Liverpool and Roma were both dismissed last year and they certainly had chances.
Sure I mean, if all the other teams had massive injuries and they couldn't field a team they could have a chance, but realistically speaking, they don't have a chance.
No. Chelsea is a great team under Sarri. For Goodness Sake, they have the best team on paper in the EL right now. Arsenal will likely improve mildly under Emery (he was Sevilla's coach during their EL streak). Milan has some great players, and Gattuso appears to be surprising us with his tactical knowledge. Lazio has a couple world class players, and many young players with potential. Inzaghi is doing a great job. They can win it with some luck.
If they shrunk and made it "easier" or guaranteed a spot in the CL for designated top teams from the top leagues and shrunk the EL in size and/or games played to make it less stressful on the smaller teams schedule/roster. It would allow well organized, well coached and well structured mid-table teams to excel and compete in 2 competitions. I think everybody would enjoy it more and the teams would make more money.
Well this could potentially make @Dante very happy... Zidane's agent, Alain Migliaccio: "Zizou will not go to Premier league, it does not suit his style. Juventus? It's a chance because there's a history, it's the club of his heart." (VecchiaSignora)
Paratici was in France yesterday attending the PSG game. Word is that he was there to scout Rabiot some more, he's aiming to sign him on a free in January.
If we WANT him in January we will have to pay something. if we just want to sign him in Jan for the summer, than we can get him for free if we can out bid Barca.