14-02-2024, 07:19 PM
(14-02-2024, 06:43 PM)Brekkie Wrote: Talking of the Champions/Europe League the initial knockout stages not fallen particularly kindly for TNT with just two English teams in the Champions League and no British teams in the play offs for the Europa League or Europa Conference (a few are in the next round having won their group).
No less than five English/Scottish teams have already qualified for the Europa League and Europa Conference League Rounds of 16 (Liverpool, Brighton, West Ham and Rangers in the UEL; Aston Villa in the UECL). They all will host their seconds legs, and it is very rare for British teams to host in the 17:55 slot. So, something will probably have to give, as I don't think TNT Sports would want to broadcast (and really produce) five top matches simultaneously then.
And the UCL draw was really poor, not helped for English interest already being halved. I don't think any of the ties are particularly exciting, with a strong favourite in almost every match (last year had some heavyweight ties like PSG v. Bayern). For any excitement, a slightly volatile club like PSG or Bayern will have to mess up. But with the age of collection of wealth and power in an increasingly smaller list of leagues and clubs, this is ultimately where European club football is at present and into the future.