The Multiple Sufferings of England's Representatives from the Wembley Curse
There are no representatives at Wembley anymore, the extra quota for England in next season's Champions League is also almost certain to be lost.
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Manchester City players regret their failure to advance to the Champions League semi-finals after losing 3-4 in a penalty shoot-out against Real Madrid at Etihad Stadium, Manchester on Thursday (18/4/2024) early morning WIB.
MANCHESTER, THURSDAY – The Champions League final at Wembley Stadium is still an irony for England's representatives. They were euphoric about lifting the trophy on their own soil at first. However, fate always said otherwise. Like this season, representatives of other countries are certain to party at the stadium that is the pride of the British public.
The hopes of England's last two "ambassadors", Arsenal and Manchester City, were dashed in the second match of the quarter-finals, Thursday (18/4 /2024) early morning WIB. Arsenal lost 0-1 to Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena Stadium and lost 2-3 on aggregate. City lost on penalties to Real Madrid 3-4, after the aggregate ended in a 4-4 draw at the Etihad Stadium.
Ironic. That word accurately represents City, the defending champions. After winning the treble last season, they are favorites to win the Champions League again. Everything will be much easier if they reach the top party. In the era of manager Josep Guardiola, City never lost a final duel at Wembley, winning 6 out of 6 matches.
However, City stumbled in front of their own supporters despite dominating the entire match. Madrid's "DNA" as a European powerhouse made the difference, especially in the penalty shootout. "We have done everything we can, but they are the ones in the semifinals and we are not," said a weary Guardiola.
Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola regrets his team's loss to Real Madrid in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals at Etihad Stadium, Manchester, on Thursday (18/4/2024) early morning WIB.
"Football is about scoring goals and they did it better than us in the penalty shootout. A very thin margin. That's what happened. Sometimes you win penalties, sometimes you don't. I have to thank the players from the bottom of my heart because they have given everything," he continued.
Arsenal also experienced an anticlimax despite being more favored in the quarterfinals. Their current squad is the best in the last decade. On the other hand, Bayern lost the domestic league trophy this season after winning it 11 times in a row. However, the difference in European experience speaks volumes.
Arsenal, a team from North London, also failed to appear at Wembley which is only about half an hour away from their base. "We haven't been in this competition for seven years, nor have we been in this position (quarterfinals) since 14 years ago. We have to learn and rise from that defeat," said Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta.
As a result, for the first time since the 2019-2020 season, there is not a single representative from England in the semifinals. Arsenal and City follow Newcastle United and Manchester United who were eliminated in the group stage. In the last three seasons, there has always been an English team that has managed to advance to the final match.
Also read: When Bayern Munich's Experience Silenced Arsenal's Ability
We did everything, but they were in the semifinals and we weren't.
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard regrets their failure to reach the Champions League semi-finals after losing 0-1 to Bayern Munich early Thursday (18/4/2024) morning, West Indonesia Time.
The current story brings back bitter memories of the "ambassador" of England in Wembley. The last time the final was held at the stadium was in 2013. At that time, not even one English team managed to reach the quarterfinals. However, previously, English representatives always made it to the final in 7 out of 8 seasons, from 2004-2012.
Since the European competition changed its name to the Champions League in 1992, Wembley has hosted the final three times. Only Manchester United, representing England, have played at the sacred stadium in 2011. Even then, they failed to take advantage of the location's superiority and had to acknowledge Barcelona's greatness.
Nevertheless, the British public can still boost their self-esteem with national team players who perform in other countries. Such as Bayern striker Harry Kane and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham, who will clash with each other in the semifinals. One of them is certain to compete at Wembley.
According to Kane, playing the final at Wembley is his biggest motivation. "There is no better place to win the Champions League. That opportunity will not often come. However, we still have to go through several steps, heavy games await," explained the player from London.
Also read: Manchester City's Crown of Despair
Bayern Munich players celebrate Joshua Kimmich's winning goal (center) in the second quarter-final match of the Champions League against Arsenal at the Allianz Arena Stadium in Munich, early Thursday morning (18/4/2024) Western Indonesian Time. Bayern advanced after winning 1-0 and leading the aggregate score 3-2.
The last time the final was held at Wembley, Bayern came out as champions. They beat Borussia Dortmund in a final match between German teams. This scheme has the potential to be repeated this season. Dortmund will compete for final tickets with Paris Saint-Germain on the opposite side.
Germany's Advantage Over England
There are two German teams in the semifinals, while no English team made it. This reality could harm England next season. Both countries are competing for an additional quota allocation for the next season's Champions League, from four to five teams. There are only two countries eligible to receive this benefit.
One spot has already been secured by Italy, with a coefficient ranking score of 18.428. Germany is only slightly ahead of England at 16.785-16.750 before the second quarter-final match. However, after Dortmund and Bayern, Germany is secure in second place with a score of 17.642, distancing itself from England's 16.875.
Supercomputer Opta once favored England to get the extra quota with 70.6 percent, above Germany (29.1 percent). This is based on the potential for Arsenal and City to go far. In contrast to Bayern and Dortmund. Everything turns around now. Currently England's chances are only 6.2 percent.
Also read: Eliminate Atletico, Dortmund Ready to "Rematch" Against PSG in the Champions League Semifinals
Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel (left) celebrates his team's success in reaching the Champions League semi-finals after defeating Arsenal, 1-0, early Thursday morning WIB.
Meanwhile, the coefficient value is generated from the achievement of each country's team representatives. Then, the total value is divided by the number of representatives from that country, making the ranking calculation fairer. England's step is challenging because there are eight teams competing in Europe. Especially after MU and Newcastle were eliminated in the group stage.
A representative from Germany has truly shattered the beautiful dream of the English "ambassador" this season. It is almost certain that they will lose their extra quota in the Champions League next season, and two German teams also have the potential to lift the trophy at Wembley at the end of the season. (AP/REUTERS)
