Importance of Domestic Cups in Europe (EPL, leagues, league, clubs)

[waltlantz]

Reading up on the Big 5 leagues, it seems that in addition to winning the top flight and getting into the Champions League there are Cup contests.

It seems like in England you have the Carling and the FA as the main ones.

How much do the top flight put into these matches or is it all towards getting that seed in Europe?

[skipcromer]

Originally Posted by waltlantz

Reading up on the Big 5 leagues, it seems that in addition to winning the top flight and getting into the Champions League there are Cup contests.

It seems like in England you have the Carling and the FA as the main ones.

How much do the top flight put into these matches or is it all towards getting that seed in Europe?

In England the Carling Cup is not that big of a deal. If a team outside the Top 4 gets to the semi's you will see them put their full squad in. If a big club makes it you will see them play maybe 75% of their first teamers.

FA Cup is similar, however it is much more prestigious to win the FA Cupp compared to the League Cup.

[Teak]

Some clubs, like Arsenal, play reserve squad players for those league cup competitions. England has too many competitions with that Carling Cup and the FA Cup. Some of the large-club managers complain about the match congestion, year after year. The Champions League and Premier League title come first overall. Still, the Brits love the romance of a Notts County v. ManU tie.

[BrianH]

FA Cup is an imporant cup for everybody.
The League Cup in England is only important for a struggling team in the EPL and all the lower divisions in England. I remember the stink when Man U wanted to pull out of the LC years ago!