With Manchester United clinching the title this morning, and Barcelona on the brink, it is very safe to assume that these two have risen head and shoulders above the others. Some in Italy, may want to a vote for Inter Milan, having won two titles in a row and closing in on a third. But, with no reall success in Europe, they are a hard sell. Both Man U and Barca have played consistent and at times very high levels of football and both have dominated their leagues, for large spells during the season.
Most importantly, they will face each other at the end of the month, in the Champion's League decider. With Barca also winning their domestic cup title this week, I would say that with a CL win, they may just edge Man U for best team in Europe. But you can't deny the winner of this greatly anticipated final. Great seasons by both and as a neutral, I hope that the final is keely contested and very entertaining.
Cheers,
Deon
Showing posts with label Inter Milan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Inter Milan. Show all posts
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Is the EPL the best league in Europe?
Hands down, yes. I like European football. Who doesn't? It is definitely the most glamorous. And over the years there has been great debate over which league is better, who has the best teams, players etc. The truth is, every league has its argument.
La Liga boasts, Spanish heavy weights, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Sevilla, Valencia, Atletico and Villareal. All with world class players, all who have had recent European success. The same can be said of Italian powerhouses, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Juventus. In Germany, there is Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen and Werder Bremen. All these teams are destinations that any player in world football will gladly accept a contract to play. But if we want to look at sheer consistency, let's examine the EPL.
How many years in recent memory, have there been a quarter final or semifinal stage of a European competition (either Champions league, or Uefa Cup) in which at least three teams are English? Take this year for example. Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool are all in it at this stage of the competition. In fact last year and many years before. The draw was such that English teams met in quarter finals, semi finals, and Finals consistently. Clearly there is something special there. To add to the case, Uefa cup, in recent years "second teir" EPL teams (like Tottenham, Manchester City, Portsmouth, Bolton) have made pretty good runs.
Now I am not making any arguments on which team is the best in Europe, because to me that can be any of a number of teams, but when it comes to European competition, the English teams collectively do well. So any given year in the later stages of the season, there can be atleast 4 or 5 EPL teams still involved in some type of European football. At first I was not a believer, having previously voted for Italian League and most recently La Liga. But with these facts, the answer is a resounding YES!
p.s With the EPL winding down, it looks like a 2 horse race for the title between Man U and Liverpool. We (Chelsea) have an outside chance of winning, but our focus in retribution for last year's Champion's League final let down. Also, for good measure we will also be going for the FA Cup with all our strength. We will let those two fight for the League title, it will be our's next year anyway!
Till next time, Football is more than just a sport. IT'S A WAY OF LIFE!
Cheers,
Deon
La Liga boasts, Spanish heavy weights, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Sevilla, Valencia, Atletico and Villareal. All with world class players, all who have had recent European success. The same can be said of Italian powerhouses, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Juventus. In Germany, there is Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen and Werder Bremen. All these teams are destinations that any player in world football will gladly accept a contract to play. But if we want to look at sheer consistency, let's examine the EPL.
How many years in recent memory, have there been a quarter final or semifinal stage of a European competition (either Champions league, or Uefa Cup) in which at least three teams are English? Take this year for example. Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool are all in it at this stage of the competition. In fact last year and many years before. The draw was such that English teams met in quarter finals, semi finals, and Finals consistently. Clearly there is something special there. To add to the case, Uefa cup, in recent years "second teir" EPL teams (like Tottenham, Manchester City, Portsmouth, Bolton) have made pretty good runs.
Now I am not making any arguments on which team is the best in Europe, because to me that can be any of a number of teams, but when it comes to European competition, the English teams collectively do well. So any given year in the later stages of the season, there can be atleast 4 or 5 EPL teams still involved in some type of European football. At first I was not a believer, having previously voted for Italian League and most recently La Liga. But with these facts, the answer is a resounding YES!
p.s With the EPL winding down, it looks like a 2 horse race for the title between Man U and Liverpool. We (Chelsea) have an outside chance of winning, but our focus in retribution for last year's Champion's League final let down. Also, for good measure we will also be going for the FA Cup with all our strength. We will let those two fight for the League title, it will be our's next year anyway!
Till next time, Football is more than just a sport. IT'S A WAY OF LIFE!
Cheers,
Deon
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