In width, the EL has become stronger this season compared to last season. And then you also have a few remarkable matches with the current draw. It's a pity that a few good clubs are going to die now, but it gives the lesser teams the opportunity to move on to the next round. Last year the final in the EL was certainly not stronger than the one in the CL, that will be different this year. I can't even remember if Barcelona ever won the EL because they always play CL usually?
What I know is that they never even got this title because when their era was in its golden age when Messi played at Barcelona they were immediately in the Champions League until when Messi left they just returned to the Europa League but haven't even got it yet.
But indeed talking about last season's Europa League final actually there was good hope even though in the end there were also many surprises here.