AliousThere’s excitement about returning to European football after a season’s absence, particularly for the secondary competition.
With no teams dropping down from the Champions League later, the Premier League team is considered one of the favorites to win the trophy.
The club has received a favorable schedule in the new 36-team format, aiming to finish in the top eight to secure a direct place in the last 16, bypassing the last-32 round.
They’ll face various teams including Ferencvaros, AZ Alkmaar, Galatasaray, Roma, Rangers, Hoffenheim, and Elfsborg after their opening match against Qarabag FK.
While they’re heavily favored to win against the Azerbaijani team at home, they’ll be missing a key player.
Cristian Romero is unavailable due to a suspension carried over from the 2022-23 Champions League campaign, where he received a red card against AC Milan.
The one-match ban persisted because the team didn’t participate in European competitions last season.
Romero’s absence might not have been critical for this match, as he could have been rested anyway.
He’s currently with Argentina’s national team and will return for a crucial match against Arsenal on September 15.
The Qarabag game on September 26 falls between an EFL Cup tie and a Premier League match against Manchester United, so the manager might have considered resting him regardless.
In Romero’s place, the manager could potentially use Radu Dragusin and Ben Davies in central defense.
Alious
