Based on the results and comments following European Champions League victories by English clubs Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool, it would seem to stand that the top clubs from the premier leagues in Spain and Italy are having trouble keeping up.
The pace of the game and the quality of the domestic and international players in the English Premier League are getting great kudos after big wins this week - Manchester United defeating Inter Milan (Italian Serie A leaders); Chelsea knocked out Juventus (Italian Serie A); Arsenal victory in penalty kicks of Roma (Italian Serie A); and Liverpool disposed of Spanish heavyweight Real Madrid.
Liverpool's Spanish sensation Fernando Torres credits it to the preparation of his manager, Rafa Benitez, as well as the pace and intensity that Liverpool plays with.
"I think we prepared the game better than them," Torres explained on the club's official website.
"The boss was brilliant in explaining how to play against them.
"The plan before the game was to play with intensity and with a high-tempo.
"Spanish football has quality but it is slower, so we knew it would be difficult for them if we played with intensity."
http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/174/uefa-champions-league/2009/03/12/1152171/torres-spanish-football-slow-cannot-handle-high-tempo-games
Inter manager Jose Mourinho credits the commitment the English clubs have for spending money to buy players, and to develop them as well.
"To win the Champions League you need a boat full of money and constant improvement,'' said Mourinho, who is in his first season with Inter. "And that's what we're doing. (United) is superior in physical stature, speed and deadball kicks. But I don't have anything to criticize my players about. To win the Champions League, you've got to grow step by step.''
Another aspect that Mourinho thinks is critical is being able to build continuity, which is a key component to the success that Sir Alex Ferguson has had at Manchester United - having the time to see his team develop and grow.
"You win the Champions League with continuity," said Mourinho. "United today is exactly the same as when it lost the (English) league to my Chelsea team three years ago, except for (Dimitar) Berbatov."
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/soccer/wires/03/12/2080.ap.soc.italian.flop.1st.ld.writethru.0917/index.html
Alex Ferguson doesn't see it as much of a debate - in his mind, after the success of the English clubs in Europe over the past couple of years, there is no question who reigns supreme.
As for all four English teams making the last eight once again, Ferguson admitted: “English football has been the best for the last three years."
The pace of the game and the quality of the domestic and international players in the English Premier League are getting great kudos after big wins this week - Manchester United defeating Inter Milan (Italian Serie A leaders); Chelsea knocked out Juventus (Italian Serie A); Arsenal victory in penalty kicks of Roma (Italian Serie A); and Liverpool disposed of Spanish heavyweight Real Madrid.
Liverpool's Spanish sensation Fernando Torres credits it to the preparation of his manager, Rafa Benitez, as well as the pace and intensity that Liverpool plays with.
"I think we prepared the game better than them," Torres explained on the club's official website.
"The boss was brilliant in explaining how to play against them.
"The plan before the game was to play with intensity and with a high-tempo.
"Spanish football has quality but it is slower, so we knew it would be difficult for them if we played with intensity."
http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/174/uefa-champions-league/2009/03/12/1152171/torres-spanish-football-slow-cannot-handle-high-tempo-games
Inter manager Jose Mourinho credits the commitment the English clubs have for spending money to buy players, and to develop them as well.
"To win the Champions League you need a boat full of money and constant improvement,'' said Mourinho, who is in his first season with Inter. "And that's what we're doing. (United) is superior in physical stature, speed and deadball kicks. But I don't have anything to criticize my players about. To win the Champions League, you've got to grow step by step.''
Another aspect that Mourinho thinks is critical is being able to build continuity, which is a key component to the success that Sir Alex Ferguson has had at Manchester United - having the time to see his team develop and grow.
"You win the Champions League with continuity," said Mourinho. "United today is exactly the same as when it lost the (English) league to my Chelsea team three years ago, except for (Dimitar) Berbatov."
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/soccer/wires/03/12/2080.ap.soc.italian.flop.1st.ld.writethru.0917/index.html
Alex Ferguson doesn't see it as much of a debate - in his mind, after the success of the English clubs in Europe over the past couple of years, there is no question who reigns supreme.
As for all four English teams making the last eight once again, Ferguson admitted: “English football has been the best for the last three years."
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