José Mourinho has taken time out from preparing his Inter side to face Sevilla in the Amsterdam Tournament to proclaim he wants to see an improvement in European competitions from Italian clubs.
Mourinho said, "We have to have the ambition of doing something good like the English teams have done in recent years, getting three teams into the Champions league semi-finals and two into the final."
Despite flattering to deceive in the Champions League so far, Internazionale will begin the tournament as one of the favourites. The other Italian sides who will compete in the Champions League next season are Roma, Juventus and Fiorentina following AC Milan's failure to qualify through their league position.
Mourinho believes that doing well in Europe is important in creating a competitive Serie A. It would certainly be beneficial for the game in Italy as not only would the clubs gain more money, but it could be the catalyst for re-igniting investment in the game from within the country.
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He added, "This is very, very important for us—the championship can become competitive and create passion all over the world."
Italian football has been through tough times in recent years, but Mourinho is hopeful that Serie A can once again be recognised as the finest in Europe if the leading sides can re-find their form in Europe.
Mourinho also found time to fire the first shots in the mind-games he likes to employ. He warned AC Milan counterpart Carlo Ancelotti that he expects the Rossoneri to win the UEFA Cup. "They're not a team for that cup, but if they're playing in it they have to win it. AC Milan must win the UEFA Cup."
However, it is far from sure that Milan will win the UEFA Cup. Last Season Bayern Munich found themselves in a similar position of being overwhelming favourites for European football's second-most prestigious competition. They were undone in the semi final by a combination of the brilliant eventual winners Zenit St. Petersburg and fatigue from over exertion in too many competitions.
One thing is for sure, with Mourinho around, the Italian league will certainly not be in for a quiet year, especially if he delivers the one prize that has deserted Signor Moratti at the San Siro; The Champions League.
There is no doubt that Italian teams have more than enough talent to do well in Europe next season, but it will remain to be seen whether English clubs' recent dominance can be broken.
So, what does everyone else think? Can Italian clubs make a European comeback and claim that Serie A will once again be the best league in the world?
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3 months ago
They certainly can. In couple of years i believe they will. I just dont believe Jose's Inter Milan will be among the Italian clubs to dominate Europe....
from 3 months ago
interesting and potentially controversial stance there, salomon!
as a manchester united fan i'm not the biggest fan of mourinho but i respect his abilities as a fantastic coach! I believe Inter will be in the hunt for european glory this season...
who would you say is better equipped than inter in italy to do well in europe? certainly juve are assembling a very competetive squad and i wouldnt be surprised to see them come close in italy and europe but i feel maybe the year after they'll do better!
and when you say you don't believe mourinho's inter will be among them does that imply you see him being sacked by moratti and that inter cud do better under another manager? as i said mourinho's a talented coach and it would take a brave man to bet against him succeeding!
from 3 months ago
Its just that Inter's way of playing is neither effective nor a pleasure to watch.
Its a copy of Chelsea, just without results. They only won the scudetto the last couple of years because of Milan and Juve's absence at the top due to their punishment.
As a Chelsea fan, i seriously wish Jose well in his new job but i feel it was dumb choice. If he can get them challenging in Europe than i give him my ultimate respect.
I doubt he'll get the sack anytime soon...
from 3 months ago
yeah its true they've had an advantage over the course of the last two seasons because of the repercussions of calciopoli... its strengthened them and weakened their opponents.
i know they don't play particularly exciting football but i believe the squad is ready, the infrastrucure of the club is good enough for mourinho to really make his mark and deliver success in europe
from 3 months ago
inter copy chelsea? you are having a laugh arent you? how long have Chelsea really been playing good football? not anywhere near as long as Inter have. Inter who have won 16 serie A titles and 2 Champions league, plus three UEFA cups. compare this to Chelsea's three English top flight triumphs and NO champions league wins and two UEFA cups. i think it is clear who would be mimicking who in this comparison Salomon.
from 3 months ago
Ilya - I never said Inter were copying Chelsea. For all i care, it could be the other way round. The point i was trying to make was that neither of the two teams are a pleasure to watch. And we all know Chelsea is the better team of the two, at the moment. We're not even discussing that. Inter may well be the more successfull club of the two but that matters little when judging the quality and ability of the teams 'at the moment'.....
from 3 months ago
fair enough mate, lost in translation eh?
3 months ago
Great point Salomon,and there's proof2 it- as soon as some competition for the Scudetto came along in the form of Roma, the race to the title was bloody close... But many say Roma are the real champions, because Inter got 12 points from Controversial/Wrong refereeing decisions...
from 3 months ago
Roma were fantastic last year but I just wonder if they'll be able to reproduce that form again especially after losing mancini to inter! they were unlucky considering some of the dodgy calls in favour of inter. there always appears to be some of that in italian football... if it isnt juve its inter eh?
I think the title race will be close again but I's still say inter are the favourites... Juve and Milan will have more of a say in the outcome and maybe Fiorentina if they can continue there improvement from last season.
3 months ago
nice piece Jonathan, interesting read, good subject. with such a proud record in European competition it will be hard for Italian fans and footballers to see the way English teams have usurped their position as the most feared opposition in Europe in recent years. they will be itching to remedy this at all costs. If anyone can do it it is Mourinho.
from 3 months ago
Thanks for commenting illya... I agree that if anyone can finally realise Inters potential it is Mourinho!
Im quite excited for the coming season now...
3 months ago
Great article...Mourinho is the most exciting manager to watch. Italian soccer used to be the envy of the world, but now England has taken that spot. Mourinho just wants his club to become equals among clubs.
from 3 months ago
Thanks for the kind words Thomas!
With Mourinho I believe Italian football has made its first tentative steps on the comeback trail.
3 months ago
They can definately make the comeback. It's their turn to dominate again soon and with Mourinho at Inter and the return of Juve I'm looking forward to the Champions League.
Nice work mate
from 3 months ago
When you say its their turn I completely agree, europe dominance seems to go thru phases.
When the champions league kicked off Juventus were very strong regularly getting to te lattr stages, them came Spanish dominance with the Valencia reaching two consecutive finals and Madrid winnng a few titles. At the moment Engish football is having its "season in the sun"... I wouldnt be surpised to ee Italian clubs doing well again very soon.
Thanks for commenting Andrew
3 months ago
"Hey Jose...Welcome back!" :)
There is some truth in what JM said - the Italians need to raise their level if they intend to break England's dominance over Europe. I think it is very possible and Inter have a great coach and chess player.
Nice read Jonathan.
3 months ago
i think italy can return to the top this year. inter have been reshaped now with mourinho at the helm. milan were very active in the summer, while juve added quality and will be the surprise package next season. roma definitely have quality and are looking to sign a winger and a striker or two, while fiorentina remain a young side that can produce shocks. serie a will be back to its best and why not, we may see inter or juve in the final of the champions league.
from 3 months ago
After having watched Juve's friendly at Old Trafford on wed evening I can safely say they shud do well in Europe next season. They've added quality up front in Amauri nd in the middle of the park with poulsen wh is a fine player! I wouldnt be surprised to see them do very well on both fronts actually.
3 months ago
Mourinho should try getting some exploits of his own ...oh special loser.
from 3 months ago
thats a classic S comment if ive ever seen one.
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