World Football: Mourinho Challenges Italians to match English European Exploits

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.

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?