The 2011 Europa League is off and set to complete its round robin group stage games in December. In its second edition, revamped and rebranded, the tournament is thriving with bigger crowds, more prize money and the presence of several of Europe’s biggest clubs. Although still early, the group stages are turning out to be anything but a procession for the bigger teams, as some of the smaller clubs have already pulled off surprise results. With predictability often the bane of continental tournaments, the 2011 Europa League is serving up its fair share of parity.
Stale Champions
The biggest emerging storyline has to be defending Champions’ Atletico Madrid’s woeful form. The Rojiblancos are slumping, with just one point and no goals in Group B. Last year’s fairytale win seems a distant memory as an opening day defeat to Greek side Aris was followed up by a tame draw to Bayer Leverkusen. Diego Forlan and co. are too good not to progress but need goals and wins fast to put them back into contention.
Mixed English and Italian starts
Both English clubs are still unbeaten and in the running, but the mood could not be more different. Manchester City, despite a draw with Italian giants Juventus, are well placed and have played some composed football without ever getting out of second gear, while Liverpool have flattered to deceive. The latter’s 0-0 stalemate with Hungarian minnows Debrecen was one of many low points this season for the Anfield side. As for the rest of Serie A, results have been mixed; with Sampdoria on top of Group I, but Napoli and Palermo, like Juve, trailing in their groups.
German, Portuguese and Russian Domination
Bundesliga teams are doing particularly well, with Stuttgart and Bayer Leverkusen both leading their groups, the former with a perfect record. Borussia Dortmund may not be leading their group, but sit only a win behind the leaders in essentially the hardest group, Group J. Also on a quest to improve their league’s coefficient, while notching another European trophy along the way, are the two Portuguese sides; Porto, in a rare season out of the Champions’ League and Sporting, who are enduring a tepid league campaign. Both sides lead their respective groups with perfect records and healthy goal differences. Finally, keeping their momentum going from their domestic season are the two Russian clubs, Zenit St. Petersburg and CSKA Moscow, both leading their groups with maximum points.
On Track:
Sporting – Two wins, six points, seven goals at the summit of Group C. Can you say smooth?
CSKA Moscow – the 2005 Winners boast two wins out of two to lead Group F.
Zenit – Underscoring their status as dark horses with maximum points atop Group G.
Porto – leading Group L with two wins, four goals and none conceded. Porto are still unbeaten this season.
Stuttgart – the German side are effervescent in Europe.
PSG – Excellent defensively, the French side have yet to concede in two winning games.
Wobble Nation:
Juventus – two weak draws, defender Giorgio Chiellini is their leading scorer.
Palermo – Squad is too thin to compete well on two fronts.
Dynamo Kiev – Ukrainian giants are bottom of Group E with just one point
Lille – A bit inconsistent as the French side are trying to balance a good domestic season as well.
Anderlecht – Terrible, with both Jonathan Legear and Romelu Lukaku failing to fire.
Seasonal Surprises:
Lech Poznan – little known Polish Club leading Group A.
Aris, PAOK – Thessalonika has two Greek sides with good starts, PAOK is proudly sitting atop Group D.
BATE – Keeping up a great season for Belarussian football with top spot in Group E.
Liverpool – Their tepid form extends to Europe as they were unable to score against Debrecen.
5 Players on fire:
Alexander Kerzhakov, Patrick Helmes, Artjoms Rudnevs, Helder Postiga, Seydou Doumbia
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