Apr
11
It’s not surprising that the media have jumped at the recent failures of English clubs in the Champions League, speculating whether their “dominance over Europe” seems to have finally diminished. However, I don’t believe the result can be used to draw such conclusions.
It’s true that for the first time in five years there will be no Premiership representative in the semi-finals, but the manner in which Arsenal and Manchester United went out is nothing to be ashamed off. Arsenal had the misfortune of being drawn with Barcelona, the best team in the world at the moment, and for a short while they were sending them out in the 2nd leg, before Messi weaved his magic. United, on the other hand, were undone by a fantastic volley by Robben, and more importantly the away-goal rule.
While the Premiership clubs might have been defeated by the European giants in the Champions League, things were quite different in the Europa Cup. Liverpool swept aside Benfica with little effort, while Fulham, who find themselves in the bottom half of the table, followed up on their amazing victory over Juventus by knocking out Wolfsburg. This leaves two English clubs in the semi-finals, which promise to be very interesting as well.
All this is quite positive, I think, because it shows the balance between the top European leagues continues to be maintained. For the neutral supporter it’s probably good that the English clubs will have to take a back seat as far as the Champions League is concerned, but by all indications, they will be knocking on that door next season again.