Make no mistake, the Europa League has sure livened up Thursday nights.
This old-fashioned SBOTOP writer may have mixed views about the whole European set-up.
As you asked me so nicely to explain, I actually think the Champions League should be restricted to two teams from each of the major nations, while the third and fourth placed teams should contest the Europa League, alongside the domestic cup winners.
However, I have long since accepted that there’s little chance of that scenario returning – the current set-up really is a form of compromise, a mini European Super League by stealth, four years after an ill-fated breakaway when a number of major European clubs backed moves for a European Super League to be formed.
Indeed, I suspect the status quo is here to stay for some time.
So instead, let’s look forward to Europa League 2025 highlights and some of the stars who could define the competition between now and next May.
Over eight matchdays from September to January (we’ve had two already), 36 teams will play four games at home and four away. The sides who finish in the top eight of the league phase will progress to the round of 16, and the teams from ninth to 24th will go into a knockout play-off round to reach the last 16.
A quick look at our current Europa League 2025 betting odds show Aston Villa as favourites to eventually triumph in Turkey.
Regular readers will know I have a sneak for Villa in this year’s tournament.
That’s not just because, although it helps, they are managed by an expert in the competition in Unai Emery who has enjoyed success on no fewer than four occasions (Sevilla 2014-16 and Villarreal 2021).
They also have the talented Morgan Rogers in their ranks, a player whose attacking flair and ability to hurt defences could be vital on the European stage.
He is demonstrating his talent on the international stage too and, on Thursday night, built on a fine display in Serbia by turning home the opening goal from Marc Guehi’s cross in England’s friendly at home to Wales.
The former Manchester City youth product is developing into a top-quality number 10 who has the potential to become a regular for club and, possibly, country.
Watch out for him in this competition.
Roma are second favourites and, in Gian Piero Gasperini, have a masterful tactician of their own. A coach who inspired Atalanta’s Europa League triumph 17 months ago when they knocked out Liverpool and beat Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen in the final.
Third favourites, as it stands, are perennial Euro competitors FC Porto and they have a talented teenager in their midst who it’s also worth watching out for.
Rodrigo Mora is only 18 but is already drawing attention from Europe’s elite with a number of clubs reportedly interested in the versatile attacker, capable of playing as both an attacking midfielder and a winger. His current release clause is set at £55 million and expect that to increase if Porto do well in Europe.
If they deliver in big away matches, the chances are Mora will stand out.
One thing’s for sure, he is finding momentum once again after a breakthrough season.
Last year, he emerged as a key figure under Vítor Bruno and later Martín Anselmi, appearing 35 times while scoring 11 goals and adding four assists.
Real Betis and Lyon complete the top five in the betting charts but it’s a side way down the pecking order where my final name emerges.
Two games in and he is yet to score – Stuttgart defeated Celta Vigo in their opener before going down 2-0 to Basel.
But the name of Angelo Stiller is being talked about.
The deep-lying midfielder has impressed onlookers with his composure and passing range and his ability to deal with the physical elements of the game.
Stiller has been linked with moves to some big clubs and, if he continues to make his mark consistently this term, don’t be surprised if the German club struggle to resist the advances of a big name suitor.
Speculation continues apace and, while the 24-year-old has never been a regular goalscorer, his other attributes means the €5.5m fee they paid in 2023 is something of a snip.
Hailed by some as the new Toni Kroos, it seems unfair to place such pressure on his shoulders at this stage of his career.
One thing certain, though, is that he is one to watch.
A bit like the Europa League itself.
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