In the wake of the first ever all-English Champions League final and three English semi finalists for the past two years, the question must be asked.
Why have the English slowly started to dominate Europe's premier competition?
In the past two years Man Utd, Chelsea and Liverpool have all made the CL semi-finals. An English team has contested in the showpiece event for the past four years—Liverpool in '05, Arsenal in '06, Liverpool again in '07 and now Man Utd and Chelsea in '08.
But why in the Champions League are the third placed teams such as Liverpool and Barcelona reaching the latter stages? Where are the champions of Italy, Spain, France and Germany?
Firstly Italy, Inter Milan have walked Serie A for the past two years yet consistently fail to perform in Europe. Losses to Valencia and Liverpool have condemned Inter to successive last 16 exits.
Spain's champions (Barcelona in '06 and Real Madrid in '07) have both, like Inter, exited in the last 16 when champions. A defeat to Liverpool at home cost holders Barca, while Real Madrid departed after a 4-2 defeat to Roma on aggregate.
Germany's champions in '06 were Bayern Munich, they were beaten off by Milan despite bolstering one of their strongest ever squads. Then the biggest joke of all, German champions of '08 Stuttgart finished last in their group!
France's champions for the past seven years, Lyon, have failed to reach the quater finals in five years. The only thing that tells you is the quality of the Ligue 1. The very fact Essien, Malouda, Drogba and Evra have all traded themselves in for a place in the Premier League proves this.
Am I being too harsh on the Champions of the supposedly "big" leagues or are the English simply too good? The answer would appear to be in the mentality of the sides.
EPL teams play each match with their objective clear and know how to beat continental sides. The trick is getting in among the fancy passing teams, as Real, Barca, Bayern and Inter have discovered.
Arsenal have been shown up in that aspect this season domestically but, unlike Arsenal, the continental champions don't have the players to adapt to certain game plans. Players are bought, particularly in Spain, for entertainment factor.
The English dominance is here to stay as long as sides who face them refuse to adapt and play outside their comfort zone. Risks and gambles that pay off usually means success and the more methods teams have to gamble with, the more success is possible.
Real and Inter can be confirmed champions and have their open top bus parades. But until owners back off and let their managers take risks with transfers and selections, they'll have to be content to losing to England's also-rans each year.
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about 1 month ago
Great article Marc. Do you also find it interesting that leagues like the Scottish one appear to be getting better while so many others are dare I say it...losing their glamour.
I'm not saying the Scottish league is that good but a UEFA Cup final and the last 16 of the champions league. Aberdeen gave Bayern a run.
These teams have half the resources of the glamour leagues but as you say are willing to take risks and put it on the line. So is it a British trait?
Incidently Motherwell are the best team in Scotland in my opinion and will be great to see them in Europe next year
The Bundesliga must be the worst of the lot. You mentioned Stuttgart but all their teams crashed out of the UEFA Cup too in the latter stages...some of them to humiliations!
about 1 month ago
First, there is nothing english about any of the "big" four "english" teams. Neither is the way they play english. I would characterize it as Italian from the 1990s. Second, "english teams" have won two CL titles in 25 years. So much for dominance.
from about 1 month ago
Between 1976 and 1985, English clubs contested 8 of the nine Euro finals in that time winning 7 of them.
English clubs were then banned from all European competitions for 5 years after 1985 (Liverpool for 6 years) after the Heysel tragedy. That is why there has been no dominance since then. Why would the worlds best players want to play in a League where no European football was achievable?
Even with that 5 year ban, this years final will give England it's 11th European Cup champion. Equalling Spain and Italy. Since Man Utd won it in 1998/99, five of the 10 finals have had English representation (no other nation can equal that in that time). England have had the most semi finalists in that time as well. Maybe not domination yet, but the signs have been there a while and it is happening!
about 1 month ago
I wouldnt say English dominance is here to stay but you definetely have point in saying risk and gambles eventually lead to success....
To the man above, The whole article begins with " the all-english final and having three English teams in the semi final for the past TWO years".. The writer is obviously going on about RECENT domination...
about 1 month ago
Andrew, I think the Scottish clubs have been underestimated by these "big" clubs in recent years but probaly not anymore due to Rangers run to the UEFA final.
The British trait of going of it is down to their mentality, in Spain, if the press and fans decide your crap, your crap. That pressure affects the players and their judgement.
But sure Barca missed a great chance to break away with Mourinho, whearas Guardolia will effectivly be the board's puppet. JM would have stood for nothing that would have detracted from the football. Until they sort it out British teams will feature heavily in the latter stages of European competitons
from about 1 month ago
Yeah Marc that is probably true. Walter Smith has vowed to play better football next season so Europe again won't get what they are expecting. Teams like Motherwell and Hibs play better football than the Old Firm and half the EPL. So it's def improving.
As for Guardiola he was a strong captain so we can only hope he will be a strong manager. I must admit he was a favourite player of mine.
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