As football kicks off across Europe, we will be reviewing the situation of the top 10 leagues in Europe and finally its impact on the glorious Champions League.
INTRODUCTION
Football came to a sudden halt around 3 months ago across the world,barring a few leagues due to the much dreaded Coronavirus. While some leagues in Europe decided not to play any further and scrapped the title like the Eredivisie (Netherlands), others like the Ligue 1(France) ended the season as it is and decided to give the trophy to the top placed PSG while deciding to relegate the teams placed at the bottom of the table. Finally, there are other leagues including the Bundesliga, La Liga and the Premier League who decided to wait and now have resumed their respective leagues, although it is behind closed doors and has to maintain certain other precautions. Various managers and players including the likes of Pep Guardiola have voiced out their concerns not just with regard to the precautions in terms of the Virus but also regarding the fitness of the players and the more injury prone nature of the game after such a long period without activity. On this note, let us explore in detail the situation across the top 10 leagues according to the UEFA Coefficients, the various precautions and rules implemented by various Federations, and how the Champions League is going to play out for the 2019-2020 season.
Precautionary measures taken
During the first half of the season prior to the Covid-19 break, many believed that football may well become a detrimental factor in the spread of the virus due to the large audience gatherings (on average above 50,000) for the match, secondly the contact based nature of the game itself and finally the pre-game and post- game, mob like crowds who have either gathered to support their teams prior to the game or celebrate victory after the game. Despite a trend of few games being played without fans, in empty stadiums, fans gathered in large numbers close to the stadiums and in places like sports bars, etc due to lack of institutional bans of crowd gatherings. For example, even though the Champions League fixture between Paris Saint German and Borussia Dortmund in the Parc De Princes, Paris was played without an audience, fans gathered in large numbers outside the stadium more or less nullifying the efforts to play the game without audience. On the other side of the spectrum, few clubs had confidence in their fans to take the necessary precautions.
The San Siro
This confidence turned fatal for the fans who attended the Champions League first leg between Atlanta and Valencia played in the San Siro Stadium, Milan on 20th
February, 2020. With 40,000 fans travelling from the hometown of Atlanta, Bergamo to watch their team and an additional 1,20,000 fans gathering in Bergamo to watch their team play was called a “biological bomb” by Bergamo mayor Giorgio Gori. It was said to be the trigger to the spread of the virus in Italy, and made Bergamo the center for the Virus in Italy.
To prevent a similar debacle, and to address the fitness concerns of the players a new set of written rules and a couple of unwritten ones were followed while resuming play again. These mainly concerned playing matches without an audience in the stadiums in most leagues. Some leagues like the Premier League are adding a watching producer who plays simulated crowd noises, and certain other sounds during goals, fouls, etc, to enhance the experience for television viewers while for the other leagues the only sounds are the player voices echoing. Other changes seen include the suspension of the traditional handshakes that take place pre-game and have been replaced with an ‘elbow bump’.
An IFAB circular this year, allowed 5 substitutions for the year 2020 replacing the traditional 3 per game. Additionally, these changes can be made during any 3 slots during plus the half time.
Other than this, it is said that the players, coaches and other staff are being additionally cautious in terms of bottles, apparel and other equipment as well as in terms of general contact. Temperature tests are done prior to each game and before training as well.
Let us now discuss how coronavirus had and is impacting the top 10 leagues under the UEFA Coefficients.
10. Ukranian Premier League (Ukraine)
The Ukranian Premier League came to a halt on 15 March 2020, with the Round 23 fixture between Olimpik Donetsk and Vorskla Poltava being the last one. After being granted official permission post consultation with their medical association, the league was restarted on 30th May, 2020. There were multiple hurdles including a game being cancelled due to about 25 members being tested positive for coronavirus. A similar suit of games without fans is being followed.
FC Shakhtar Donetsk won the league for the 4th time in a row with a 3-2 victory over Alexandria, making it their 13th title overall. This was just their 27th match and they sit comfortably on top with 71 points making it mathematically impossible for any other team to dethrone them.
9. Eredivisie (Netherlands)
The Eredivisie had its last set of games played on 8th of March, 2020, post which the season was suspended. Despite being in the first position on goal difference, Ajax was not awarded the title. Furthermore, it was decided not to relegate any teams from the first division nor promote any teams to the first division. Ajax will go on to take part in the final round of the Champions League Qualifiers for next season while the second placed AZ Alkmaar will be fighting in the second round of the Champions League Qualifiers. Finally Feyenoord will be entering the Europa League group stages.
8. Jupiler Pro League (Belgium)
The last match for the Belgian top league was played on 8th March 2020. After much delay by the various team owners and board members, Club Brugge were declared winners, being 15 points above second placed KAA Gent. Club Brugge will get a spot in the group stages of the Champions League while KAA Gent will have to play in the third qualifying round. Third-placed Sporting Charleroi will enter the Europa League group stages while Royal Antwerp and Standard Liege have qualified for the competition's third and second qualifying round respectively as it stands. However, the final of the Belgian Cup between Club Brugge and Royal Antwerp still needs to take place and if the match can be played before August 3 and Antwerp win, they would qualify directly for the Europa League instead of Charleroi. bottom club Waasland-Beveren will be relegated to the Proximus League and will be replaced by the winner of the promotion play-off final between Beerschot VA and OH Leuven, with the former 1-0 ahead after the first leg played on March 8.
7. Russian Premier Liga (Russia)
The Russian Premier Liga’s last game was played on the 16th March 2020, before the season was temporarily suspended. But the season was resumed on 19th June 2020. What stands out though is the fact that despite an increasing number of Coronavirus cases across Russia, the authorities have allowed a small number of fans to attend the matches. Despite the football resuming, controversy regarding the match between PFC Sochi and FC Rostov has caught the attention of many. With the entire first team of FC Rostov being down with the Virus, the team was forced to play its young squad which was given a harsh day out against PFC Sochi’s first team, losing 10-nil, on 19th March, 2020. Zenit lead the table with a good margin above the below placed teams.
6. Liga Nos (Portugal)
The Liga Nos has been on hold from the 12th of March, but resumed on 4th June, 2020 successfully. Benfica and FC Porto fight for the top spot with a considerable gap between the other teams and them. Football without fans in attendance is like eating a salad without a dressing on it, according to Porto boss Sergio Conceicao. Much like Sergio, many teams had doubts about keeping their momentum going especially with the lack of fans in the stadiums. Furthermore, the matches being played in only a limited number of stadiums.
5. Ligue 1 (France)
The Ligue 1 was concluded prematurely with the last of its matches being played on 9th March 2020. While Paris Saint German were declared winners with a 12 point lead, winning their 7th title in the last 8 years, and 9th one overall. They were awarded a Champions League spot as well along with second placed Marsielle and third placed Stade Rennais. Meanwhile, Stade de Reims and Nice qualified for the Europa League. Unluckily, Amiens and Toulouse were relegated to Ligue 2 while Lorien and Lend were promoted to Ligue 1. Many believe that the decision to end the season came too early, and feel it will affect the French teams performances in European Competitions like the Champions League.
4. Serie A (Italy)
The Serie A was halted on 9th of March 2020 before being resumed on the 20th of June, 2020. Before the pause, Juventus stood just one point above second place Lazio. Luckily for Italian Fans, the Coppa Italia took place prior to the resumption of the Serie A, where Napoli one 4-2 on penalties against Juventus. It will be interesting to watch, if Lazio can steal the title from under Juventus’s nose or will they be crowned champions again. Doesn’t seem likely but Mathematics points to Inter Milan also having a chance, so can’t rule it out yet.
3. Bundesliga (Germany)
The Bundesliga had to pause after its game on 11th March, 2020, but was the first major league in Europe to restart, resuming as early as 16th May, 2020. With the season almost coming to an end for them, Bayern Munich have shown their class again being crowned as Champions for the 8th straight time, and 30 times totally. Dortmund meanwhile affirmed their spot at 2nd place with a recent win over RB Leipzig. A record breaking season for Bayern, with Thomas Mueller equaling the assists record held by Kevin De Bruyne for the league being the cherry on the cake.
2. Premier League (England)
Prior to the pause the last PL game was played on 10th March 2020. It resumed on 17th June 2020 with a string of already controversial and interesting set of match ups including a goal not given to Sheffield despite the ball being almost completely inside, David Luiz’s antics versus Manchester City and so on. Liverpool look to secure their 19th League title almost certainly with a gigantic gap between them and second placed Manchester City. Liverpool who once were looking at an invincible domestic season, and a treble (Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup) now look to end this season with the single PL trophy after being knocked out in quick succession of the latter cups. With a 2 year ban on Manchester City for the Champions League presently, there is a chance that the 5th placed team may make it to Europe’s elite club competition. Tight competition for the European spots is expected and wouldn’t be surprised if some underdog makes it instead of the classic big 6.
1. La Liga (Spain)
The last match before the pause was played on 11th March, 2020. The season resumed on 12th June 2020. Currently looks like a 2 horse race with Real Madrid and FC Barcelona fighting for the top 2 spots. Real Madrid look more clinical this season but Barca have done well the past few seasons domestically so this one can go either way. The other spots for the European are quite open with Atletico Madrid, Sevilla, Villarreal, Real Sociedad and Getafe all looking good.
Champions League
With the season halted, one of the most exciting competitions, Champions League also had to take a backseat. But luckily for us, the Champions League is going to return, with single legged Quarter Finals and SemiFinals on August 7th. Paris Saint German, Atalanta, RB Leipzig and Atletico Madrid have already secured their spots for the Quarter Finals. The remaining fixtures between Chelsea- Bayern Munich, Napoli- FC Barcelona, Real Madrid- Manchester City and Juventus- Lyon will be held on August 7th and 8th with the aggregate scores of the 2 legs being sent to the Quarter finals. This is where things change. Instead of the traditional two legged Quarter Final and Semi Final, a single match will be played between the drawn teams to decide who progresses, with the matches taking place in neutral venues in Germany behind closed doors.
The final will be played on 23rd August in Lisbon, Portugal instead of the initially decided Istanbul. The 2021 season final will be played in Istanbul.
On account of these delays, the Champions League season 2020-21 will kick off in October with the group stage fixtures till December.
The Europa League meanwhile will have the remaining fixtures played out in a single leg and the finals will take place in Cologne, Italy.
Finally, The 2020 UEFA Super Cup will now be at Puskás Aréna in Budapest on September 24 rather than in Porto in August as originally planned.
The transfer market
The Covid-19 pandemic has severely impacted the financial situation of several clubs and this has played a role in the lowered value of players in the transfer market. The clubs will have missed out on several months worth of matchday revenue due to the lockdown and subsequent resumption of matches behind closed doors. This along with the commitment to not cut the salaries of ground staff and other wage employees has resulted in teams being left on shaky ground. Clubs are not willing to invest too much in bringing in newer faces and the dip in market values showcases this.
Chelsea recently secured the signature of Timo Werner for around 50 million and compared to the exorbitant prices being quoted in the pre lockdown transfer market, this seems like an absolute steal. In February, a young and proven striker like Werner with a bucketful of goals would not have gone for less than a 100 million euros. The market value has significantly dipped especially for players who are either on the wrong side of 30, have prolonged injury issues or are slacking in their form lately as seen in the case of Raheem Sterling, who's price dropped from 160 million euros to 115 in a matter of months. A year ago Manchester City were quoting an absurd amount money for their star winger Leroy Sane (120-130 million euros) , who has been in Bayern Munich's radar for quite some time. Due to his long term injury, the Covid-19 break and with him entering the last year of his contract, the initial bid made by Bayern was a paltry 36 million, with the German giants being confident to sign him for less than 50 million.
The players have expressed their solidarity and support towards their respective clubs by willingly taking wage cuts as well as generously donating funds to tackle the coronavirus. Every adverse situation is however an opportunity, and if certain clubs play their cards right, they might just be able to build a stellar squad without having to rely on big money moves.
Conclusion
The Corona virus pandemic has affected almost every industry, every sector in the world and football without a doubt has also been majorly impacted. First off, playing a sport without fans majorly hallows the experience for the players as well as reduces the atmosphere. Secondly, the pause has taken a toll on the form and fitness of players and it will take some time to see football at its peak. But on the other hand, players who were supposed to miss the season, will be able to play now so there is some positive. The fixtures are really cramped up and after this whole debacle, it's going to show and hence the 5 substitute rule is highly encouraged. Though the last few months were hard for football fans across the world, it is back now and what can I say except that we should be thankful and look forward to these enthralling match ups.
Author: Shreyans Parakh
Editor: Rohan Kanna
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