REVEALED: Ruben Amorim Explains Why He Believes the Europa League is ‘Harder’ Than the Champions League
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has made a surprising claim about European football, arguing that the UEFA Europa League (UEL) is actually more difficult than the UEFA Champions League (UCL). While most football fans consider the Champions League the toughest competition, Amorim believes the demanding schedule of the Europa League makes it even more challenging.
Manchester United finished third in the Europa League league phase with five wins and three draws, earning a place in the Round of 16. In the first leg against Real Sociedad on March 6, the Red Devils struggled and could only secure a 1-1 draw away from home.
The bigger problem, according to Amorim, is the quick turnaround between matches. Just three days after facing Sociedad, United have a crucial Premier League match against Arsenal. Amorim believes this short recovery time makes the Europa League more difficult than the Champions League.
Manchester United manager Rúben Amorim has expressed that the UEFA Europa League (UEL) presents unique challenges, particularly due to its demanding schedule, which he believes can make it more taxing than the UEFA Champions League (UCL).
Following a 1-1 draw against Real Sociedad in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie, Amorim highlighted the difficulty of balancing European fixtures with domestic league commitments. He noted that the quick turnaround between Thursday night Europa League matches and weekend Premier League games allows minimal recovery time for players. This contrasts with the Champions League schedule, where matches are typically played on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, providing an extra day of rest before weekend fixtures.
Amorim’s concerns are underscored by Manchester United’s current situation. The team is dealing with a series of injuries and a congested fixture list, which has impacted their performance in both domestic and European competitions. The club’s financial stability is also at stake, as success in the Europa League is seen as a potential avenue to secure a spot in the Champions League and the associated revenue.
The manager’s remarks shed light on the broader debate about the physical and mental demands placed on teams competing in the Europa League, especially those also striving for domestic success. The condensed schedule requires meticulous squad rotation and strategic planning to maintain player fitness and performance levels across all competitions.
