Tottenham Hotspur's UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Group Stage Analysis
Tottenham Hotspur's UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Group Stage Analysis
As the summer transfer window has shut and fans begin the argument of how successful it has been to their own agendas and not the club and managers agenda, we turn our attention to European competition and Tottenham Hotspur's UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Group Stage Analysis.
The 2024/25 UEFA Europa League provides a unique group stage experience for everyone involved in its new format. Tottenham will face a variety of opponents across Europe, from traditional powerhouses to emerging clubs, making this stage both challenging and intriguing.
Th Europa League should be an important competition for Spurs this season so feast yourselves on: Why a Europa League run is important for Spurs this season.
Spurs' Europa League History
The Lilywhites have a rich history in the UEFA Europa League and its predecessor, the UEFA Cup. Here's an overview of our participation each season:
UEFA Cup Era (1971-2009)
1971/72: Winners
- Tottenham won the inaugural UEFA Cup, defeating Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-2 on aggregate in the final.
1972/73: Semi-finals
- Spurs reached the semi-finals but were eliminated by Liverpool, losing 2-2 on away goals.
1973/74: First Round
- Tottenham was knocked out in the first round by East German side Lokomotive Leipzig on away goals.
1981/82: First Round
- Eliminated in the first round by 1. FC Köln.
1982/83: Second Round
- Reached the second round but were eliminated by Bayern Munich.
1983/84: Winners
- Tottenham won their second UEFA Cup, defeating Anderlecht on penalties after a 2-2 aggregate draw.
1984/85: Quarter-finals
- Spurs were knocked out by Real Madrid in the quarter-finals.
1991/92: Second Round
- Tottenham were eliminated in the second round by Feyenoord.
1999/00: Second Round
- Spurs were eliminated by Kaiserslautern in the second round.
2006/07: Quarter-finals
- Tottenham reached the quarter-finals but were defeated by Sevilla.
2007/08: Round of 16
- Spurs were eliminated by PSV Eindhoven in the Round of 16 on penalties.
2008/09: Round of 32
- Tottenham were knocked out by Shakhtar Donetsk in the Round of 32.
UEFA Europa League Era (2009-Present)
2009/10: Group Stage
- Tottenham were eliminated in the group stage.
2011/12: Group Stage
- Spurs finished third in their group and did not advance to the knockout stages.
2012/13: Quarter-finals
- Tottenham were eliminated by Basel in the quarter-finals on penalties after a 4-4 aggregate draw.
2013/14: Round of 16
- Spurs were knocked out by Benfica in the Round of 16.
2014/15: Round of 32
- Tottenham were eliminated by Fiorentina in the Round of 32.
2015/16: Round of 16
- Spurs reached the Round of 16 but were defeated by Borussia Dortmund.
2020/21: Round of 16
- Tottenham were eliminated by Dinamo Zagreb after a stunning second-leg comeback by the Croatian side.
Tottenham's history in the Europa League and its predecessor, the UEFA Cup, is marked by moments of both triumph and disappointment, with notable successes including two UEFA Cup victories.
As we compete in the 2024/25 Europa League, Spurs will aim to add another chapter to this storied history.
Group Stage Opponents
Tottenham's group includes a mix of historically significant teams and rising European clubs, offering a spectrum of footballing styles and challenges:
AS Roma (Italy) (H)
- UEFA Ranking: 15th
- Full name: Associazione Sportiva Roma S.p.A.
- President: Dan Friedkin
- Head coach: Daniele De Rossi
- League: Serie A
- 2023–24 Season: Serie A, 6th of 20
- Overview: Roma is perhaps Tottenham's most formidable opponent in the group stage.
The Italian club, under the management of a seasoned coach, has consistently performed well in European competitions, boasting a strong squad with experienced international players.
Tottenham will need to be at their tactical best to overcome Roma.
AZ Alkmaar (Netherlands) (H)
- UEFA Ranking: 47th
- Full name: Alkmaar Zaanstreek
- President: René Neelissen
- Head coach: Pascal Jansen
- League: Eredivisie (Netherlands)
- 2023–24 Season: Eredivisie, 4th of 18
- Overview: AZ Alkmaar has established itself as a solid competitor in European football.
Known for developing young talent and playing an attractive, attacking style of football, AZ presents a significant challenge, particularly on home soil where they are known to be very strong.
Tottenham will need to leverage their experience to navigate this fixture successfully, however, we are playing at home, which should make the tie easier and will reunite Troy Parrott with some former colleagues.
Qarabağ FK (Azerbaijan) (H)
- UEFA Ranking: 57th
- Full name: Qarabağ Futbol Klubu
- President: Tahir Gözəl
- Head coach: Gurban Gurbanov
- League: Azerbaijan Premier League
- 2023–24 Season: Azerbaijan Premier League, 1st of 10
- Overview: Qarabağ is one of the most successful and prominent football clubs in Azerbaijan is a team that has steadily risen through the ranks in European football, often causing upsets against more established clubs.
Under the long-term leadership of head coach Gurban Gurbanov, the team has become a dominant force in their domestic league and a respected competitor in European tournaments.
Qarabağ's playing style is characterized by strong defensive organization and tactical discipline,.
IF Elfsborg (Sweden) (H)
- UEFA Ranking: 142nd
- Full name: Idrottsföreningen Elfsborg
- President: Bosse Johansson
- Head coach: Jimmy Thelin
- League: Allsvenskan (Sweden)
- 2023–24 Season: Allsvenskan, 2nd of 16
- Overview: IF Elfsborg is a well-established club in Swedish football, based in the city of Borås. The club has a rich history, having won several domestic titles throughout its existence.
Under the leadership of Jimmy Thelin, Elfsborg has maintained a competitive presence in the Allsvenskan, consistently challenging for top positions in the league.
In European competitions, Elfsborg is less experienced compared to some of its group stage counterparts, but the club has shown resilience and tactical acumen, particularly in recent seasons.
Their UEFA ranking reflects their relative inexperience on the European stage, but they are known for their disciplined approach and strong team spirit, which can make them difficult opponents.
Rangers FC (Scotland) (A)
- UEFA Ranking: 33rd
- Full name: Rangers Football Club
- President/Chairman: John Bennett
- Head coach: Philippe Clement
- League: Scottish Premiership
- 2023–24 Season: Scottish Premiership, 2nd of 12
- Overview: Rangers are one of the most successful and historic football clubs in Scotland, with a rich history of domestic and European achievements.
The club, based in Glasgow, boasts a large and passionate fanbase, making Ibrox Stadium one of the most intimidating venues for visiting teams.
Rangers have consistently performed well in both domestic competitions and European tournaments, with their recent UEFA ranking of 33rd reflecting their competitive stature on the continent.
They finished runners-up in the Europa League (UEL) in 2012/22.
Under the management of Philippe Clement, Rangers continue to build on their legacy, consistently challenging for top honours in the Scottish Premiership and making significant strides in European competitions.
Ferencváros TC (Hungary) (A)
- UEFA Ranking: 55th
- Full name: Ferencvárosi Torna Club
- President: Gábor Kubatov
- Head coach: Dejan Stanković
- League: Nemzeti Bajnokság I (Hungary)
- 2023–24 Season: Nemzeti Bajnokság I, 1st of 12
- Overview: Ferencváros TC is the most successful football club in Hungary, with a storied history dating back over a century.
The club, based in Budapest, has won numerous domestic league titles and cups, making it a dominant force in Hungarian football.
In recent years, Ferencváros has also made a significant impact in European competitions, consistently participating in the UEFA Champions League and Europa League.
Their UEFA ranking reflects their growing influence in European football. Under the management of Dejan Stanković, the team is known for its disciplined and organized play, which has helped them secure strong results both domestically and in Europe.
Galatasaray (Turkiye) (A)
- UEFA Ranking: 60th
- Full name: Galatasaray Spor Kulübü
- President: Dursun Özbek
- Head coach: Okan Buruk
- League: Süper Lig (Turkiye)
- 2023–24 Season: Süper Lig, 1st of 20
- Overview: Galatasaray are one of Turkiye's most successful and well-known football clubs, with a storied history that includes numerous domestic titles and European successes.
The club, based in Istanbul, has a massive following and is renowned for its passionate fanbase, particularly during home matches at the Türk Telekom Stadium, which is known for its intimidating atmosphere.
Galatasaray's UEFA ranking reflects their consistent participation in European competitions, including the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League.
The Turkiye Super League team, managed by Okan Buruk, combines experienced international players with rising Turkish talents, aiming to make deep runs in European tournaments while maintaining their dominance in the domestic league.
Hoffenheim (Germany) (A)
- UEFA Ranking: 98th
- Full name: Turn- und Sportgemeinschaft 1899 Hoffenheim e.V.
- President: Kristian Baumgärtner
- Head coach: Pellegrino Matarazzo
- League: Bundesliga (Germany)
- 2023–24 Season: Bundesliga, 7th of 18
- Overview: Hoffenheim is a relatively young club in German football, having risen from the lower leagues to the Bundesliga in a short period.
The club, based in the village of Hoffenheim in Baden-Württemberg, has become known for its innovative approach, particularly under the leadership of former coach Julian Nagelsmann, who guided them to their first-ever UEFA Champions League appearance.
Under the current management of Pellegrino Matarazzo, Hoffenheim continues to compete in the Bundesliga, often finishing in the upper half of the table.
Despite being less experienced in European competitions compared to some of their group stage rivals, Hoffenheim has shown resilience and tactical flexibility, which could pose challenges to opponents.
Their UEFA ranking reflects their status as a strong but relatively untested team on the European stage.
Challenges and Opportunities
Tottenham's group stage draw has challenges yet provides an opportunity to test our squad depth and tactical versatility.
The diverse range of opponents, from Roma's tactical discipline to Qarabağ's defensive resilience, ensures that Tottenham must adapt and perform consistently across our opponent's different styles of play.
Success in this group stage will likely depend on our ability to manage away fixtures in difficult environments, Scotland, Hungary, Turkiye and Gernany, where the atmospheres can be intense.
Furthermore, home performances must be solid to secure the necessary points for advancing to the knockout stages all while giving the squad game time and developing youngsters as well.
Given Tottenham's UEFA ranking of 23rd, we must expect to progress beyond the group stage, but we must also avoid complacency.
Each match will be a test of our European ambitions under the leadership of Ange Postecoglou, who will need to ensure his side performs to the level the fans expect.
The Wrap Up
The group stage of the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 offers Tottenham Hotspur a blend of opportunities and hurdles.
While they are favoured to advance, we must navigate a path filled with tactical and environmental challenges.
Success in this phase will set the tone for our ambitions in European football this season, as we seek to establish ourselves as serious contenders in the competition.
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