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Wolverhampton Wanderers: UEFA’s plans to complete Europa League in August offer Wolves a shot at history
Wolves look set to be among the beneficiaries of a reported plan from UEFA to complete the Champions League and Europa League in late summer.
As reported by The Mirror, UEFA are currently looking at a proposal to finish out their two flagship club competitions during a three-week block in August, with both tournaments suspended indefinitely amid the global coronavirus pandemic.
According to The Mirror, the organisation’s president Aleksander Ceferin has ruled out the completion of the tournaments from September onward and would be in favour of a behind-closed-doors resumption if necessary.
While four teams in the Europa League round of 16 did not get to play any portion of their ties in that stage of the competition, Wolves have already negotiated the first leg of their tie and achieved a favourable result, drawing 1-1 away to Olympiakos in a closed-doors match a month ago today (as per Sky Sports).
That leaves them in a strong position to reach the quarter-finals, along with the five teams who won their first legs, even if they would still need to negotiate six more matches in order to win the competition.
That figure needs to be viewed in the context of what they have already achieved in Europe this season, though. Wolves’ continental journey began way back on 25 July when they hosted Crusaders in a second qualifying round clash and they have already played 15 matches in European competition in 2019/20. That run included memorable nights such as the home and away wins over Torino, the stoppage time victory against Besiktas in Istanbul and the 4-0 thrashing of Espanyol at Molineux in February.
As pointed out by The Mirror, it should be noted that the resumption of the Europa League in August could be dependent on the Premier League, and other European divisions, returning in mid-June and being finished within a six-week period.
Wolves are currently sixth in the league and just five points off a top four spot, but while they could face a very busy summer, at least the Europa League would likely resume only after the Premier League is completed, so they would not be trying to serve two masters simultaneously.
The need to negotiate six more games to win the Europa League indicates how challenging that feat would be but, having made it this far, Nuno Espirito Santo’s team need not fear anyone. Also, with the club’s best European performance being their run to the 1972 UEFA Cup final, the resumption of the Europa League would offer Wolves a plausible chance to create history later this year, so UEFA’s reported determination to complete the tournament seems quite encouraging.
Wolves fans, are you happy to hear that UEFA plans to finish out the Europa League in August? Do you think your side has a realistic chance of going all the way in the tournament? Comment below with your views!
