UEL GW4 - Metalist’s European Rise

Cleiton Xavier celebrates scoring for Metalist Kharkiv against Rosenborg (GW4)

Metalist Kharkiv will join Bayer Leverkusen, Inter Milan, Rubin Kazan, Lyon and Hannover 96 in the knockout phases of the Europa League as they ensured their place with a 3-1 victory against Rosenborg in game week 4. Alongside some of the competition’s big names, Metalist have proven in the last couple of seasons that they are more than capable of going far in the tournament, reaching the Quarter Finals last season, eventually being knocked out by Sporting Lisbon. Their success is typical of Ukrainian sides this season in Europe, with Shakhtar Donetsk continuing to excel in the Champions League alongside Dynamo Kiev who are at the very least holding their own, while Dnipro Dnipropetrovs’k are one point away from joining Metalist in the next round of the UEL. Metalist are likely to progress further into the competition, with a growing cluster of quality players that should be helping push Metalist forwarded into the Champions League spots in years to come however, for some of their fans it remains a distant dream.

Domestically the Ukrainian Premier League’s rules apply that only 7 non-Ukrainian players can be fielded at one time during a match to help encourage more home grown talent through to the first teams of the European challengers. Metalist are a side whose success has been built despite this rule instead of alongside it, as the vast majority of the squad are overseas nationals. The clearest indication of this is in the Europa League where no such restrictions are forced on the clubs. A usual Metalist team in Europe, only consists of one Ukrainian born player, veteran goalkeeper Olexander Horyainov, and even against Rosenborg he didn’t start at the expense of Slovak understudy Disljenkovic. Leaving the only Ukrainian registered player on the pitch as Brazilian born Edmar, whose Ukrainian citizenship application has eased Metalist’s worries fulfilling the quota. While, a side including many Argentine and Brazilian players are succeeding in Europe, the domestic achievements of Metalist are rather hampered as they have had to bring in fringe Ukrainian born squad players in to meet the ruling.

Metalist’s effect on the national team squad is minimal if at all, with Shakhtar, Dynamo and Dnipro sharing the top talent the country has to offer. Metalist, who are owned by one of the richest men in Ukraine Oleksandr Yaroslavsky, have tended to put money into their successful scouting networks overseas rather than inside Ukraine, and progression into challenging for the two UCL spots has suffered because of this. While sitting in 7th in the UEFA coefficient ranking tables, Ukraine are still a considerable way behind catching Portugal in 6th, and an elusive 3rd champions league qualifying spot. Until then the likelihood is that Shakhtar, Dynamo and now Dnipro are going to challenge for qualification to the most glamorous tournament in Europe as they possess
Ukraine’s top talent.

Metalist Kharkiv’s usual UEL line-up

(player’s registered nationality)

While the quota problem hinders Metalist’s domestic and UCL qualification ambitions, they continue to impress onlookers in the Europa League. Three wins, and one draw in the group stage this season is a decent effort, with the only draw coming in Germany against section favourites Bayer Leverkusen. Metalist inevitably offer a stylish and skilful attack, with Brazilian’s Taison and Willian working well in tandem in the attacking third with Argentine duo Cristaldo and Sosa. The real threat of the side however is just in behind the forward line with Cleiton Xavier offering plenty of adventure and goal scoring ability coming from attacking midfield. The Brazilian has three goals in the group stage, with an extra goal in the qualifiers and on last season’s evidence where he collected 13 goals overall, he is likely to continue with his threat going into the knockout stages.

The goals last Thursday were typical of Metalist’s rise; artistic, on the counter attack and in some cases world class. Taison’s 4th minute strike that brought comparisons with a similar volley by Marco Van Basten was the true highlight of GW4 and with further team goals from Cleiton Xavier and Juan Torres they ensured the progression that their performances warranted. Next up the crucial tie at home to Bayer to probably decide who will come top of the section. With a solid home record, and a licence to roam of their South American strike force Metalist may edge the Germans out into second.

UEL GW3 - 5 Of The Best (Group Stage)

The Europa League group stage is now half way through, with much still to play for before the knockout stages commence. Below are 5 players who have impressed in the first three game weeks.

Matheus (left) celebrates after scoring against PSV (GW1)

Matheus (Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk)

Dnipro are one of the three group leaders still with their 100% records intact, but their impressive start is by far the least expected. Juande Ramos’ side have impressed many winning against section favourites PSV and Napoli along the way scoring 8 in their first three group matches. Their goal scoring isn’t such a surprise as they have a wealth of attacking talent available to choose from with Brazilian forward Matheus being the pick of the bunch thus far in Europe. Domestically he has found game time hard to come by alongside the likes of the more established Kalinic, Seleznyov and Zozulya, but in Europe when he’s had the chance he has usually provided the Ukrainian’s a goal. He has two goals to his name in two starts in the group stage, taking his tally to three for the tournament as a whole, which has finally pushed him forward into the coach’s regular thoughts. Domestically Dnipro are continuing to build upon their reputation, 2nd currently behind Shakhtar Donestk in Ukraine. They are a club impressing outside audiences as well as within the country, much of the focus is on the likes of young playmaker Konoplyanka and goal scoring international Zozulya but if the form of Matheus continues in Europe, it will further add to the Dnipropetrovsk shop window.

Stewart Downing (Liverpool)

With their league form starting in erratic fashion, Liverpool under Brendan Rodgers are making steady progress somewhat unnoticed by the English press in the Europa League. With Rodgers opting to rotate his squad in Europe, a number of fringe players are starting to hit form and threaten the domestic first team. Jonjo Shelvey has heightened his claim of a regular spot with 3 goals so far, but the re-emergence of Stewart Downing has been the most impressive. Frozen out towards the end of Kenny Dalglish’s reign while being marketed as the face of Liverpool’s capitulation last term, Downing is starting to finally win over his doubters. His terrific right-footed goal in GW3 against Anzhi Makhachkala was his 1st goal of the group stage, capping off a brilliant start in Europe where he had contributed to two goals against Young Boys and Udinese. Whether playing at right wing, or of late in a previously unfamiliar role of left back Downing has rediscovered his form away from the EPL spotlight, which he will hope can force him back into Rodgers’ plans going forward.

Bernd Leno (Bayer Leverkusen)

Germany are well blessed with top young goalkeeping talent, and in Bernd Leno they have yet another that is aiming to tackle Bayern’s Manuel Neuer for the national team number 1 jersey. Leno who is still only 20 years old was signed this season from Stuttgart after an inspired loan spell last year. Bayer are currently looking the part both domestically and now in Europe and Leno has been the key to their form. Three clean sheets in as many matches is all that needs to be said really, but at times it wasn’t as comfortable as one thought. For spells against Metalist and Rosenborg Leno kept them in it, before Bayer upped their game to get the result they needed over the line. At the other end of the pitch, German internationals Andre Schurrle and Stefan Kiessling have shared the goals while Gonzalo Castro and Sidney Sam have impressed in creation. But, Leno has stayed consistent and surely will be in line for a call-up later this month in the next round of international friendlies.

Diego Costa celebrates after scoring against Academica (GW3)

Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid)

Last seasons champions Atletico Madrid are already living up to their pre-tournament favourites billing as they picked up 9 points from 9 at the start of the Europa League. While their progress has been effective, the goals of Radamel Falcao haven’t for once been the key to his side’s progress. With Diego Simeone focussed on a brilliant league start, the return of Diego Costa from loan has seen Madrid rely on the Brazilian for goals, as to preserve Falcao for domestic duty. Costa has never been outstanding for Madrid since signing up a couple of seasons back, but in Europe in his return season he has showed the form which saw him break off the shackles at Rayo Vallecano last season. A goal and assist away at Hapoel in GW1 before following it up with his 2nd finish in GW3 has at least preserved his starting spot in the UEL alongside the equally impressive Christian Rodriguez in attack. With speculation rife over Falcao’s future, Simeone could do a lot worse than giving Costa a run in the side. One things for certain, Atletico continue to be the side to beat yet again this season, and Falcao hasn’t even been deployed yet. 

Gueida Forfana (Lyon)

A converted centre back who is only 21, Forfana is looking to make an impact both domestically and in Europe as a deep lying midfield player. At the start of the season, he rarely featured for Lyon but since breaking into the side he has looked particularly impressive in the Europa League. In game week 2 he collected a brace, one long range shot, and the other a last minute winning header, while in game week 3 he was credited for an assist after another thunderbolt from distance was eventually turned in by Jimmy Briand. The player himself is relishing his new role which has given him in his words “more opportunities to score” and is likely to break through more and more on the domestic front as the season runs on. Lyon themselves have embraced the Europa League and picked up maximum points from their 3 matches. Defensively suspect at times, but with the likes of Gomis, Lisandro Lopez and the return of Steed Malbranque they pose an interesting threat going forward. With the young Forfana improving with every match in behind them, Lyon could be a force once the knockout stages progress.

And an extra few who have left their mark on the group stage so far:

Benjamin De Ceulaer (Genk)

Three goals, and one assist from his first three matches ties De Ceulaer at the top of the goal scoring charts as he alongside Vossen have impressed in an exciting Genk attack. Home form has been key so far for the Belgian’s, so with two tough away ties remaining it could be a tight finish for progression.

Aleksandr Ryazantsev (Rubin Kazan) 

A Rubin legend after scoring a wonder goal against Barcelona at the Nou Camp a few years back, Ryazantsev has continued to excel in Europe. Alongside their usual creative source Natcho, Ryazantsev looked far more impressive both in Milan against Inter and at home to Partizan. Two goals from those two matches were followed up by an injury hit third match, Rubin who are pretty much through to the knockout stages will hope he is back to continue their progression.

Frantisek Rajtoral (Viktoria Plzen)

A firm Czech Republic international who is adept anywhere along the right flank, Rajtoral has looked the real deal in Europe this season. A goal in GW1 and 3, in typically unexpected fashion, from late runs into the box, he has have added an extra dimension to his game for a usually traditional wing-back.