An anti-UEFA plot? A desire of the Premier League to free itself from the European federation? A sneaky way to gain market share? A football Brexit that does not say its name? But why the hell did the Premier League decide to schedule the shock of its season, Arsenal – Manchester City, this match which could decide its future, in the middle of the knockout stages of the Champions League? To tell the truth, all that happens far from their island only partially interests the subjects of His Majesty and one would have thought of a putsch fomented by the very powerful English league in the form of a gigantic snub at UEFA and to its flagship competition.
But at the risk of disappointing, it is not so and if Gunners and Citizens clash at the same time as Dortmund – Chelsea and Bruges – Benfica, it is only an incredible combination of circumstances. Let us first recall that this poster should have been held, in the first place, on October 19th. The lack of police resources linked to national mourning after the death of Queen Elizabeth II then forced UEFA to postpone the Europa League match between the Gunners and PSV Eindhoven on Thursday 15. But a new date must absolutely be found before the end of the group stage. From then on, the Premier League was conciliatory and scheduled the European Cup match for October 20. Arsenal – City, which should have taken place the day before, is in fact postponed.
“This clash is tantalizing because both teams are imperfect”
YESTERDAY AT 1:49 PM
Erling Haaland and Rob Holding
Credit: Getty Images
Domino game
The game of dominoes does not stop there since the League Cup, the FA Cup, the knockout stages of City’s Champions League and Arsenal’s Europa League clog the calendar. The World Cup hasn’t helped matters with almost five weeks devoted to the competition and its preparation, recovery, etc. From then on, the Premier League did not have much choice and UEFA had to resolve to take the risk of seeing its two round of 16 eclipsed by the most anticipated poster of the five major European championships. But after all, the English championship had done a flower by canceling the clash for the first time for the good performance of Arsenal – PSV. UEFA only returns the favor.
Club World Cup: why doesn’t anyone care?
Moreover, the English championship is not the only one not to respect the truce intended for European competitions. Trapped by a Club World Cup whose programming has not helped visibility, Real Madrid find themselves forced to catch up with their match last weekend against Elche on Wednesday. Real in addition to Arsenal – Manchester City, not really the Champions League will have a hard time existing this Wednesday.
A habit in the future?
Will the congestion of the calendars now multiply these telescopings in the middle of the week? A priori, no because the next World Cups will take place well in summer. And if the shock of the Premier League, thanks to the power of the championship, does not lose visibility, not certain that Ligue 1 posters, for example, would have an interest in competing with matches, even means of C1…
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