They've had one shot on target though, according to the BBC live thread thingy. Should've gone for it completely after a goalless first half. 2-0 would've put them through, while 3-1 takes them to extra-time. 1-1 now. Extra-time would suit Mourinho. What is it with English sides wearing claret and blue making early exits in this competition? Villa getting knocked out twice in two years by Rapid Vienna back in 09/10/11, West Ham going out to Astra ****ing Googoo twice and now this?
Got no sympathy for Burnley. Just looked at their lineup. They’ve rested a bunch of key players. May sound hypocritical because top 6 sides generally do it in the early rounds of Europa (mainly due to having the squad to do so) but this is Burnley’s first time in Europe for how long? 40-50 years? And they’re playing a rotated side? They were easily good enough to make the group stages if they went for it. Probably won’t get another shot at Europe for about another 10-20 years unless they lift a domestic cup. Idiots.
Spot on Olympiakos was a very tough team to get at this stage anyway and it would have been difficult enough at full strength, but to play a weakened team is a bit of an insult to the support imo, particularly the ones that have been to Istanbul and Athens.
I remember when we got back into Europe during the Jol era. For the first couple of seasons in Europa (or UEFA cup as it was) we were playing our strongest XI in every match. Got to the quarter finals in our first year and lost on aggregate to Sevilla, who eventually won the whole thing. I was only about 15 or 16 back then, ****ing loved the experience of being in Europe for the first time. Burnley’s fans must be gutted at going out before the group stages. Big fan of Dyche but he’s had a mare.
Yeah I loved being in Europe and will never forget going to the San Siro which, even though we lost, is one of my favourite games ever. I've kinda given up on us ever winning a trophy so we need to either qualify for Europe again or get relegated.
I love European nights...going from 1985 until 2006 with only about 6 european matches was miserable. Me and my daughters feel spoilt to have had European football 13 out of the past 14 seasons.
Yeah agree, mate, we’ve been really lucky. Europa or CL, I enjoy being in both. Not many better nights than European ones. Love the away trips when I can do them as well. Dortmund last year was unreal. Spent a few days in Düsseldorf before going to Dortmund for the match. The atmosphere pre-match was electric and then getting the win just topped off a great trip.
Even Rangers have made the group's ffs... Mind you Gerrard looks like he's doing a great job up there, even if he gets a player sent off every game
@The Liebherr Legacy what's the San Siro like with regards to ticket entry? I've got a feeling I won't have enough points on my season ticket and so will probably get a ticket off of one of my mates. Heard some grounds in Italy have been pretty strict with ticket entry lately, as in a certain code/ number needs to match your passport or something, is San Siro like that? Really wanna go but don't wanna rock up with someone else's ticket and then be turfed away as the ID don't match.
It's law in Italy to have photo id to attend a football match, and our tickets had our name written on it in biro. They even spelt Archers name wrong on his I think My ticket got checked against id but I'm virtually the only person I know who did, should be okay but depends if you want to chance it. If you end up going make sure you visit Navigli canal area
