Reflecting on Champions League, Looking at Europa League

Manchester United is out of Champions League.  England is out of Champions League.

Good, says the guy who hosts a daily podcast called English Premier League Talk.

Especially in the English language press, we've been fed this meme about the EPL being the best league in the world.  That may be true, but the reasons we're told that have little to do with the facts of the situation.

We're told that because Americans want to watch the best.  At least, they want to believe they're watching the best.  With a significant language barrier separating more in the States from the Spanish, German, and Italian leagues, there is less access to information against which you can test a broadcasters' statement: "It's the best league in the world."

That best league in the world is no longer represented in the world's elite club competition.  Instead, we're given a tantalizingly entertaining match-up between the open styles of Bayern Munich and Lyon.  In the other half of the draw, we have possibly the best club team ever (Barcelona) against Internazionale, and while José Mourinho will likely put a vice grip on this tie's flow, the pure talent on the pitch will be confounding.

But there will be not England and no talk of Premier League primacy, and in the near 24 hours since this became footballing reality, we've managed to survive.

Thoughts on today's Europa League after the jump.

I go into it over a Set Piece, but here are my quick thoughts on the four Europa League quarterfinal match-ups, scheduled to kick-off shortly:

Atletico Madrid 2:2 Valencia - These teams are familiar with each other and the environments, so moving back to Madrid is less of a factor than Valencia continuing to be without most of their back line.  That, and Atletico has been a better team for quite some time now.  The Atleti have admitted that they're taking Europa and Copa more seriously.  We should see that today.

Standard Liege 1:2 Hamburg - Liege is an average Belgian team, having finished eighth in the league's first stage, now out of the race for the title.  Although Hamburg eliminating Belgian league leading Anderlecht last round hinted they would ease past Standard, Liege got a good result last week.  In fact, they were the better team for much of the match.  Today, Hamburg carries a number of injuries into a match where, because of last week's result, they've made themselves vulnerable.

Wolfsburg 1:2 Fulham - The Cottagers' organization will exploit any mistakes Wolfsburg makes at the back.  Unfortunately for the Wolves, they're prone to them.  They'll have to out-gun Fulham.  With Clint Dempsey hurt, the Cottagers may not be able to keep up.

Liverpool 1:2 Benfica - Four years ago this fixture took place in Champions League, and Benfica won 2-0.  But Anfield on a European night is still a fortress, and against a Benfica side being carried by players not experienced in these circumstances, the star power of Liverpool could win out.  Center half Luisão scored against Liverpool in that 2005-06 Champion League tie.  A goal today could be enough.