 THE UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE GROUP ROUND-UP

The UEFA Europa League

Group Round-Up by Alex Dudley

Abusy first half to the club season due to the World Cup meant that the Europa League group stage fixtures were played across a two month period. It was an unrelenting schedule in the Europa League this season, but the two teams from each group that would be progressing were determined. the group standings would immediately qualify for the round of 16, with the eight runners-up facing off against team dropping into the competition from the Champions League. But, which teams managed to prolong their European advantage, and which teams were sent home during the group stages?

Group A It was a very dominant showing by Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal in Group A of the Europa League, as the Gunners managed to top a pretty tricky-looking group on paper. However, their job appeared to have been done from an early stage, and even defeat against PSV away from home couldn’t stop the Gunners from taking top spot.

The Dutch side, managed by United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy, finished second in the standings after winning four of their six group stage games. However, PSV face a difficult challenge to reach the round of 16, as they were drawn against Europa League specialists Sevilla in the playoff round.

Group B Group B was one of the more open looking groups from the outset, but eventually it was Turkish giants Fenerbahce that progressed as group winners. The Turkish side managed to go unbeaten throughout their Group B campaign, winning four of their six fixtures to finish two points clear of Rennes.

The French side will need to navigate the playoff round, as they come up against Shakhtar Donetsk, who finished third in Real Madrid’s Champions League group. AEK Larnaca finished third in the group and will play in the Europa Conference League after Christmas.

Group C There certainly feels as though there will be a strong charge from the Spanish clubs in the Europa League this term given how many there are in the competition. However, few have looked as solid as Real Betis. Manuel Pellegrini’s side topped Group C, winning five of their six games.

Jose Mourinho will need to do things the hard way with AS Roma if they are to achieve further European success this season, as they finished second to set up a playoff tie against Red Bull Salzburg. Ludogorets Razgrad finished third in the group, and will enter the Europa Conference League.

Group D There was an interesting three‑way fight for the top two places in Group D, but it was ultimately the surprise package of Union Saint-Gilloise from Belgium that topped the group. They managed to win four of their six games during Group D. Union Berlin has been one of the stories of the season in Germany this term, and their fairytale run in Europe will continue in the playoff round, as they will come up against Dutch giants Ajax.

Braga finished just two points behind Union Berlin, as they were demoted to the Europa Conference League, despite picking up ten points in the group stage.

Group E Manchester United needed to settle for second spot in their Europa League group, as a 1-0 defeat against Real Sociedad at Old Trafford would eventually prove costly. The Red Devils did well to round off the group with a decent 1-0 away win against Sociedad, but a testing showdown against Spanish giants Barcelona awaits in the playoff round.

Sociedad were ultimately deserving of their place at the top of the standings, as they conceded just two goals in six games. Sheriff will continue their European advantage in the Europa Conference League after picking up wins home and away against Omonia.

Group F One of the biggest stories in the group stages came in Group F, as Italian giants Lazio were knocked out. The Serie A side will be playing in the Europa Conference League in the second half of the season, despite finishing on the same number of points as the three remaining sides in Group F. Feyenoord topped the group and will advance straight through to the round of 16 courtesy of them scoring more goals than Midtjylland.

Therefore, the Danish side will need to navigate a playoff tie to make it through. They will come up against one of the more unfortunate sides to have been eliminated from the Champions League, as Sporting Lisbon led the way in Group D for a long time.

Group G Freiburg have looked like one of the most impressive teams in the Europa League to this point, as they sailed through Group G with an unbeaten record. The German side won four of their six games, scoring 13 goals in the process. They managed to finish five points clear of Ligue 1 side Nantes, which will need to navigate a playoff round to reach the next round of the competition.

The French side will come up against Italian giants Juventus in February to earn that spot, and that already looks to be a tall order. Meanwhile, Qarabag managed to record two victories and two draws to finish third in the standings, and they will drop into the Europa Conference League. H, as they managed to finish above Monaco courtesy of a superior head to head record. The 1-0 win recorded by the Hungarian side in the French principality would eventually prove crucial, as the former Champions League runners-up will now need to navigate a playoff round to reach the round of 16.

It should be a thrilling playoff tie in prospect, as Monaco will come up against Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen in February. Trabzonspor managed to finish Group H in third place, just a point behind Monaco.

What’s Next In The Europa League? The Europa League will resume in February, as the knockout round playoffs get underway. The first legs will be played on Thursday, February 16th, with the return fixtures taking place the following week. United will travel to the Nou Camp to take on Barcelona in the first leg, before the return fixture is played at Old Trafford seven days later.