Why stoke in europa league

They are also going to play crosses into the box from corners, free kicks and even throw-ins, and where possible bring up tall defenders such as Huth to give opponents something extra to think about. Perhaps this is a more basic form of football than that currently being favoured by Barcelona and even the two Manchester teams, but it has served Stoke very well these past few seasons and it is surprising how few of the leading Premier League sides have managed to pass them to death or slice them open, especially in games at the Britannia.

The outlandish theory that Stoke are one of the few English sides who could give Barcelona something to worry about is unlikely to be put to the test this season. It would require the European champions to finish third in their group and drop down into the Europa knockout stage and for Stoke to still be alive in the competition by then , and despite Milan's late equaliser at Camp Nou that hardly seems a realistic scenario.

In all probability Barcelona would pass Stoke to pieces anyway — if they can do it to Manchester United they are likely to be able to make any defenders look like statues — but Stoke do not have to worry about that yet, and maybe not for a long time. For now the technical ability and ball retention of the likes of Dynamo Kiev and Besiktas is the challenge they must meet, and while Stoke could be about to come unstuck by a level of cleverness not regularly seen at home, they could also prosper if they can impose their size, physicality and all-round robustness on opponents.

Many who enjoy the way Barcelona play but do not wish to see all elements of contact and physicality eliminated from the game will be secretly hoping Stoke go a long way.

They are as truly representative of the mid-band of Premier League football as Fulham were two years ago. They may not go quite as far, but what follows could be both interesting and entertaining. Hearts were drawn against Tromso of Norway or Hungarian side Paksi. Manager Tony Pulis was delighted with the draw external-link , telling the club's official website: "It's an occasion that every single one of us are looking forward to.

The first leg will be at the Britannia Stadium on Thursday, 28 July. The return match will be at the 35, capacity Stadion Poljud a week later. While the likes of Craig Gardner and Liam Ridgewell had moved on after relegation, those who stuck around had enough to take 10 points from a group containing Braga, Maribor and Club Brugge. Furthermore, with Harry Redknapp jumping ship for Spurs after the first group game at Braga, it was down to Tony Adams to lead the charge, beginning with a home game against the Italian giants.

They defied the odds to open up a two-goal lead through Younes Kaboul and Kanu, only for Ronaldinho to halve the deficit with a delightful free-kick and Pippo Inzaghi to pop up with a stoppage-time equaliser.

Defeat at Wolfsburg sealed the deal, meaning the win over Heerenveen — with Peter Crouch scoring twice — proved too little, too late. Dean Whitehead and Peter Crouch take Stoke to brink of qualification. Published: 2 Nov Stoke City switch on the early power to fire past Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Stoke City win their Europa League tie despite a farcical sending-off. Published: 21 Oct Europa League team news. Kenwyne Jones could return for Stoke, three key players are out for Fulham while Birmingham have several concerns for their trip to Belgium.

Published: 19 Oct