Europa League last-16 Draw
Well, here we are.
Views will differ as to whether this is a distraction to the League challenge, a key component to an unprecedented Quad attempt, an increased chance of injured players or a perfect opportunity to give fringe/youth a chance so they can contribute to our injury-hit squad.
Main thing to note is that we cannot be drawn against another English side - though we could be drawn against Rangers.
I'll group the teams according to country so a cursory glance can show who is competing from appropriate Leagues.
West Ham United (ENG)
Brighton & Hove Albion (ENG)
Liverpool (ENG)
Bayer Leverkusen (GER)
SC Freiburg (GER)
Atalanta (ITA)
Roma (ITA)
AC Milan (ITA)
Sporting CP (POR)
Benfica (POR)
Sparta Prague (CZE)
Slavia Prague (CZE)
Villarreal (ESP)
Marseille (FRA)
Rangers (SCO)
Qarabag (AZE)
3 English sides.
2 German sides.
3 Italian sides.
2 Portuguese sides.
2 Czech sides.
1 Spanish side (and it isn't bloody Sevilla!)
1 French side.
1 Scottish side.
1 Azerbaijani side.
I'd probably like to avoid Roma due to Mourinho, style of play, intensity etc despite the fact they aren't brilliant right now. I'd also been keen to avoid Bayer Leverkusen, largely because I quite like the idea of that as a semi-final or the Final.
Definitely a winnable Tournament so I hope we can grab the one comp that Jürgen hasn't won with us. That loss to Sevilla and the strength garnered from defeat was a galvanising tool in our early journey with Klopp and it would be nice if victory could be a part of the last chapter of his tenure - though naturally the League is the bigger priority.
Draw is at 11am.
Your hobbies are rollerblading and you're also a bit of a rat-hound? Steel Wool
Sid knows he's crazy and he likes it. Balinkay
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