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My Europa League Thoughts: 3/18/21

1) PREMIER LEAGUE TEAMS AREN’T AUTOMATICALLY BETTER THAN EVERYONE OUTSIDE OF THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE. You see it with the media, the fans, and tonight you saw it with the players -- they always think they’re better. I’ve said it before, there is quality in the Europa League and it’s not just a throwaway tournament anymore. With winning being a ticket into Champions League, more clubs are improving to do just that.

2) “You nailed it.” My friend’s text today in response to my prediction that Zagreb could knock Spurs out. Why did I think that? Simple: Spurs put in that sad performance against Arsenal and lost, while Zagreb (who I’ve been tracking lately), thrashed NK Varaždin 5-0. When I saw that scoreline I instantly feared for Spurs if they didn’t come to play. FYI: Mislav Oršić scored two goals at the weekend and a hat trick tonight, no surprises here. The media and fans can point fingers at whoever they want, but the better team won. Spurs have a lot of players that are better, yes, but Zagreb is a better team, period. 🙅🏾‍♂️

3) Manchester United, I’m glad you’re through, but you didn’t get the best Milan in this fixture; sorry, but you didn’t. If you played this team when they were flying just a couple of months ago, they would’ve destroyed you. So, congratulations, but I’m not declaring you winners yet.

4) Arsenal, Liverpool, or Chelsea: sign Nicolás Tagliafico and your second-choice left back and thank me later. 😉 (Southampton: sign him as your first-choice, because Bertrand is AWFUL 😂)

5) Spurs: I know he’s 28, but he has 19 goals and 8 assists in all competitions this season. Sign Mislav Oršić and thank me later, I think he could be a fine stand-in when Son gets hurt or Bale leaves. 😉 (I wasn’t kidding when I said I’ve been tracking this team)

6) Dean Henderson is going to be a fine replacement for David De Gea. I have to tell you, it’s been nice watching matches and not even thinking about whether he’s going to make a shocking mistake or not. He might make a mistake, but it’s not on the forefront of my concerns and it’s brought more enjoyment to watching. 😌

7) I felt Rangers could go through, but I feared they lacked the quality to go through. I know it’s Slavia Praha, who is punching WELL above their weight, but Rangers just don’t have that “next-level” quality and it continues to hold them back in this competition.

8) Keep an eye out for 19-yea-old right back Nathan Patterson.

9) Unai Emery finally found a team that suits him and he’s got Villareal flying in this competition. I would strongly advise their next opponent not to underestimate them. I also think it would be poetic justice if the center back Spurs loaned out because they didn’t think he was good enough, Juan Foyth, got to the final.

10) Praying Manchester United doesn’t face Roma in the quarterfinals. 🙏🏾

11) What I love about many of the teams left in the competition: they are fearless! On to the next quarterfinals! 👉🏾