The incredible stat that shows just how competitive the Europa League actually is

It seems most people have finally come around to appreciating the Europa League for what it is.

But perhaps UEFA’s ‘B’ tournament has become so competitive that it’s becoming increasingly difficult to tell the difference from the Champions League.

Take Borussia Dortmund for example – did you see what they did to Spurs over two legs?

But could Aubameyang do it on a cold Tuesday night against Mignolet?https://t.co/7r7kMkG4bJ

— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) March 17, 2016

As the competition reaches the quarter final stage though, the quality has really turned up a notch. So much so that the latecomers who dropped out of the Champions League can’t even cope.

That’s right: Six out of the eight teams that entered the Europa League from the Champions League group stage have been eliminated already.

After a round of 32 and a round of 16.

Manchester United: eliminated by Liverpool in the round of 16.

Bayer Leverkusen: eliminated by Villarreal in the round of 16.

Valencia: eliminated by Athletic Bilbao in the round of 16.

Galatasaray: eliminated by Lazio in the round of 32.

FC Porto: eliminated by Borussia Dortmund in the round of 32.

Olympiacos: eliminated by Anderlecht in the round of 32.

Shakhtar Donetsk: Still in it.

Sevilla: Still in it.

Out of the frying pan and into the fire. And they call it a consolation prize…