Friday saw the draw for the group stage of the Europa League take place in the lavish surroundings of Monaco.
Over the last 15 European second-tier tournaments, Spanish top flight sides have dominated the competition winning nine of the fifteen finals.
In fact, such has been the dominance of La Liga sides, that five of the last seven victors have hailed from Spain.
This decade alone, Sevilla has won the tournament three times as have Atletico Madrid with Diego Simeone’s men the current defending champions.
As another Europa League season reaches its group stage, we look at who the qualified La Liga sides have been drawn and their chances of progression.
Real Betis – Group F
The Betico’s surprised many last season after ending the campaign in sixth and thus earning themselves a spot in Europe.
On Friday, the club was handed a tricky group facing fixtures against Greek giants Olympiakos, Italian heavyweight’s AC Milan and Luxembourg minnows Dudelange.
However, there is an opportunity in the group for Quique Setién’s men. Olympiakos are not the giants of European football they once were largely due to financial restraints and Dudelange look there for the taking.
AC should top the group due to a boost in funding, but second place is more than up for grabs for Betis.
Villarreal – Group G
Many will make the Yellow Submarine favourites of group G but there will be no easy games for Javier Calleja’s men.
Drawn against Rapid Vienna, Spartak Moscow, and Steven Gerrard’s resurgent Rangers will make for a tough group of matches and whoever qualifies from this group may fancy themselves to go all the way.
Sevilla – Group J
Pablo Machin’s Sevilla has been the dominant Europa League side in recent years winning it three straight years in a row from 2014 to 2016.
Drawn in the same group as Russian side Krasnodar, Belgium’s Standard Liege, and Turkish side Akhisar Belediyespor should provide stern tests on the road, but provide little resistance at Sevilla’s Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán as the club seek a record sixth Europa/Uefa Cup title.
