Any fan of the Twin Towers of Manchester may shudder at the thought of watching Thursday Night football. But then again, they can only blame their Mancunian teams, as these two behemoths descend on the cities of Porto and Ajax eager to wipe their blushes, after a shocking exit from Europe’s elite club competition.
That notwithstanding, the profile of UEFA’s second tier cup competition has gotten a fresh impetus from the two powerhouses as they step on banana peels in their respective matches. It will be important for our mortal minds to remember that the fixtures they face are against fellow dropouts, making the two ties feel more like Champions League MKII affairs.
Three-time European champions, Man United, will need no reminder of the skinning they got against minnows FC Basel, in what was a catastrophic defeat that left both fan and foe perplexed. That dosage of reality may have to be hammered into their brains of Sir Fergie’s charges as they take on Ajax Amsterdam, a Dutch side full of nondescript players with names that are a mouthful to pronounce.
The Eredivise champions, coached by legendary Frank de Boer, will be keen to remind Sir Alex that Ajax are four-time European Champions, a feat the great Scot would wish to emulate. It may be 12 years since the Red Devils last ventured in these cold waters of Europa League, but it’s a weird feeling for a team that featured in the Champions League final in three of the last four seasons.
The English champions have recovered from their pitiful first half of the season performance with incredible displays, the last being the one-way street they showed Liverpool in the weekend, but continental knockout football is always a different ball game. However, given the gulf in class between them and Ajax, they’ll be expected to walk away from the Amsterdam Arena as the winners.
That may not be the case when Man City make Estádio do Dragão their next port of call. Standing in between the Citizens and a last 16 appearance, are no other than the Europa League’s defending champions FC Porto, who, it must be remembered, won the trophy under the guidance of current Chelsea gaffer, Andre Villas-Boas.
Roberto Mancini knows that his team has already taken a detour from their well mapped out Trophy Road, having been knocked out of the Champions League, the FA Cup and the Carling Cup, and with their cross-town rivals still hot on their trails in the Premiership.
It will be a tricky tie for the Sky Blues, no doubt, and even news that Carlos Tevez has returned to training may not help ease the nature of their fixture. But with the plethora of stars at the Italian’s disposal, his side will be deemed the favorites. Nevertheless, trust me, it will be tough, it will be tricky, and it may as well require a moment, or two, of magic from the likes of Kun Aguero, Balotteli and David Silva to get this job done.
Guess who else is on board? Stoke City. That’s right. The Potters may not feature in the minds of many people, but they will be on the minds of Valencia, when the Spaniards visit Britannia Stadium. Another notable fixture will be Lazio vs Atletico Madrid. That said, this will be a Mancunian night. How will it end? Only one way to find out.
Thursday 16th February
9pm Ajax – Man United, Amsterdam Arena, SS3
9pm Lazio – Atletico Madrid, Stadio Olimpico, SS7
11pm Porto – Man City, Estadio do Dragao, SS3
11pm Stoke City – Valencia, Britannia Stadium, SS7
Like this Facebook page MICHEZOAFRIKA or follow us on Twitter @michezoafrika for timely updates