I took that from your post, as you said (& I quote) "The 'stronger' European teams like Inter Milan etc. (who are right on the border of CL qualification in their domestic league) would be more likely to put a strong team out if it's their only way of qualifying for the CL." Which says exactly what I posted i.e. that you're suggesting that they'd play their stronger side in the EL as it's "their only way of qualifiying", which is putting a lot of variables together to suit your own agenda - that being that you currently think the EL having a CL attached is a great idea, given that the Liverpool are still in it & have little chance of domestic qualification. I'm sure your interest would be just the same if you'd already been knocked out. In any case you're making one huge incorrect assumption here, that being that the EL isn't treated seriously in mainland Europe. The truth is that it is, it's only on these shores that it's treated with such disdain.
They are required to play a qualifying tournament that consists of 4 extra rounds. So the tournament already says to some teams that their league champion status is less important than another team's 3rd place finish and they must work harder to earn their place. Allowing a team to work for their place by winning the Europa League is consistent with this. Also, in winning the Europa League you will have beaten (or beaten other teams who themselves beat) one or more teams that didn't make it through the Champions League group stages. So you will have demonstrated suffcient quality to at least enter the Champions League at the qualifying stages the next year.
I don't agree.... yes spain takes it very seriously. but the big teams across europe and ok england mostly do trate the europa with distain. 7mil prize money compared to 30mi lis huge.
So what? Are you saying that the San Marino champions should be allowed to join the CL at a more advanced stage than say Arsenal or Valencia? That's the entire purpose of the co-efficient. The CL is a commercial operation, no-one would be interested in watching the Champions of Malta or San Marino, because they're ****e.
No, but you're saying that the San Marino champions are infinitely more deserving of a chance at qualifying for the Champions League than a team that might have beaten the likes of Man Utd and Man City on the way to winning the competition. Last year's winners even battered the Champions League winners in the Super Cup, but it was actually the loser of that head to head who was gifted an extra chance to qualify for the Champions League because their league finish was so poor. As for money and popularity, would you rather watch a Champions League with Falcao smashing in great goals or Torres moping around pointlessley for months (aside from comedy value)?
Both qualified as a result of winning the CL, which they qualified for as a virtue of their league performance in the prior season. Hence the criteria of strong performance in the league still holds. That's again my point exactly. It would devalue the competition as a competition. The EL would no longer be seen as a prestigious trophy to be won, it would first and foremost be seen as a way to get into the CL and win more money. You might as well just rename the competition as "Champions League Pre Qualifying Rounds" cos that is all anyone would see it as.
It isn't 'only on these shores', though, is it? Italian teams - and hence using Inter as an example - traditionally put out weaker teams. Udinese played strong teams against Liverpool in both games because of the prestige of the tie, but almost a reserve side against both Young Boys and Anzhi. And yes, you can look this up to see the facts for themselves. Something you appear not to have done with your claim above. And btw, putting a strong team out in the EL doesn't mean you therefore can only put a weak team out in the league; something you seem to think I'm suggesting, when in fact I never said so. Players can play on both a Thursday and a Sunday, just as CL teams often play a Wednesday and a Saturday with strong sides. You'll also notice the word 'if' in the phrase 'if it's their only way of qualifying', which you've conveniently skirted over. That word suggests there are plenty of variables, all of which I've considered. Liverpool aren't likely to win the EL, so no, there isn't an agenda - and that you want to go down this route suggests you've little else to add to the argument. None of my previous thoughts on the matter even make reference to Liverpool.
