The GBE Expert Hub UEFA League Phase Review

What we got right, what we got wrong, and who stood out that would be of interest to UK clubs

Before the league phases of the UEFA competitions began, we did previews of all of the competitions, with the lads in the team each looking in their own specific areas of interest and writing a brief preview of their teams.

We are now able to look back and assess what was said, how that now looks and what has been learned from the league phases.

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Champions League

Craig

Ajax

• Prediction: Hang around in contention until the latter fixtures with an eye on qualyfying for the playoff round.

• Actual: Just about hung around in contention to take it to the last group stage game, but lost at home to Olympiakos.

• Verdict: Ajax opened the competition with five defeats a row. Away wins v Qarabag and Villareal in MD’s 6&7 meant that there was still a small chance that Ajax could make the playoff round when the hosted Olympiakos on MD8, but they lost 2-1. A disappointing effort from the Amsterdammers and one that shows how far they currently are behind the standard required.

• Player to note: Oscar Gloukh scored three goals during the league stage, all in Ajax’s two wins in a tournament to forget for the club.