Ange Postecoglou explains why he likes the new Europa League format

Speaking to the press ahead of Tottenham’s opening Europa League game against Qarabag tomorrow, manager Ange Postecoglou discussed the competition’s new look, and how it could be a good thing, at least for the neutral.

Changes make Europa League more competitive

Ange Postecoglou has made it clear he intends to bring Tottenham’s trophy drought to an end, and he has a great opportunity to do that with the Europa League this season.

Spurs get started in the competition on Thursday night, as Azerbaijan outfit Qarabag visit the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, in a game many expect the home side to comfortably win.

The competition has changed quite drastically this year, of course, with all 36 teams entering a league phase rather than the traditional round-robin first round we’ve seen previously.

When asked about this structural change in his latest press conference (via Football.London), Postecoglou revealed he is a big fan of the alteration and thinks it can improve the Europa League.

He said: “I think I said before that in the old format there were some dead rubber games because teams knew who was going through. This way there could be more in games and eight different teams with eight different styles. The main thing is that we’re in it.”

Spurs among favourites for Europa League

Of the 36 teams involved, Tottenham find themselves in unusual territory of being among the favourites to win the whole competition. They will first need to get past Qarabag, Roma, Rangers, Ferencvaros, Hoffenheim, AZ Alkmaar, and Elfsborg in the league phase, though.

After that, the likes of Manchester United, Roma, Porto, and Athletic Bilbao will fancy their chances of going all the way.

Europa League has to be a priority

Obviously, we have to put maximum effort into all competitions we play in this year, and Ange Postecoglou will not settle for anything less. But, the smart move would be to put a little extra emphasis on the Europa League. It’s a highly prestigious trophy and a competition we can genuinely win this year.

Plus, it would lead to Champions League qualification anyway, meaning finishing in the top four in the Premier League is not essential, though it would be nice, of course.

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