The universal language: Why English clubs are dominating the CL

[CL_2004]

No domestic league hypes itself worldwide as much as the English Premiership. With its well-packaged, slick marketing and incessant self-reference, it has tried to push the idea that it's the best league in the world for more than a decade.

And it receives a disproportionate amount of exposure in the global media because, worldwide, the "linga franca" remains English. Pundits of Anglo-extraction abound everywhere (though not on this Web site, which is probably a good thing) and, inevitably, they write about what they know and they do it from their own perspective.

After the quarterfinals of the Champions League, many will feel that the Premiership's time has finally come. The fact that three of the four semifinalists are from the Premier League suggests that success on the pitch has caught up with success in other areas, from marketing to media exposure to the balance sheet.

The reality is that anyone who judges the strength of a league from the number of semifinalists is missing the point. The success of Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea doesn't automatically make the Premiership the best in the world, just as having three Italians semifinalists four years ago didn't necessarily mean that Serie A was the cream of the crop back then.

That said, there is a common thread linking the achievements of the three English clubs and it offers plenty of food for thought for those playing catch-up. Here is a list of reasons why, as the venerable French newspaper L'Equipe put it, l'Europe parle anglais.

1. Money

Right now, there are eight clubs in Europe who are in the highest tier of spending power. Four of them are English, while the others are Real Madrid, Barcelona, AC Milan and Inter Milan. Money alone does not buy success, of course. But then, hey, it's not rocket science: If you have the funds to lure top players from other teams and are willing to pay to keep them happy, you're going to have a definite edge.

2. Stability

Arsène Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson have been in charge for ages. Rafa Benítez and José Mourinho are in their third seasons. Of the other 12 clubs who advanced to the knockout stage of the Champions League, just three are led by guys who have been around for two years or more: Barcelona, Milan (which, not coincidentally, is the fourth semifinalist) and Lille. Surely that can't be a coincidence.

3. Fate

For whatever reason, most of Europe's other bigwigs are either having sub-par campaigns (Milan, Bayern), have been mired in controversy (Real Madrid, Barcelona) or have not had luck on their side (Lyon, Inter). Apart from a rash of injuries at some clubs, things have been running relatively smoothly for the English contingent.

4. Managerial nous

All three of the English semifinalists are managed by guys who are arguably among the top five coaches in the world. What's more, each is enjoying a tremendous season (the same can't be said for other top coaches, from Carlo Ancelotti to Frank Rijkaard and from Ottmar Hitzfeld to Fabio Capello). Giovanni Trapattoni once told me that, "A good manager can make a team five percent better; a bad manager can make them up to 30 percent worse." I don't think anyone can argue that Benítez, Mourinho and Ferguson have all made their clubs better this season.
Extra time

Much was made of the policing at the Stadio Olimpico for the Rome vs. Manchester United first leg, when Roman police in riot gear went in hard and indiscriminately against United supporters. This led to much gloating about the supposed innate superiority of the British police.

As an Italian, I am ashamed at the actions of the Rome police and their seemingly random head-bashing. I've always believed law enforcement should focus on the miscreants (and there were enough of them among the United fans in Rome) rather than taking on an entire group. Anyone with access to YouTube can see sickening scenes of a middle-aged woman receiving four or five nightstick blows to the head. And that's simply unacceptable.

That said, it's not as if the English police are perfect, either. For the return leg at Old Trafford, they escorted the Roma supporters straight to the ground and slowly and meticulously searched them all one by one as they went in. As a result, it took so long to get the visiting fans into the ground that the majority of them were left outside for hours, which meant they were sitting ducks for the minority of United fans bent on exacting some kind of revenge for what happened in Rome.

That's why the cops had to intervene and, eventually, 21 people (14 of them United supporters) were arrested as there were clashes immediately outside Old Trafford.

Unlike their Rome counterparts, the English police were reasonable and treated supporters firmly but respectfully. For that they should be praised. But whoever was in charge of the organization that day (and had the bright idea to conduct body searches) needs to have a serious re-think.

LINK:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/gabriele_marcotti/04/12/england/index.html

[Hazzathewazza]

No domestic league hypes itself worldwide as much as the English Premiership. With its well-packaged, slick marketing and incessant self-reference, it has tried to push the idea that it's the best league in the world for more than a decade.

And it receives a disproportionate amount of exposure in the global media because, worldwide, the "linga franca" remains English. Pundits of Anglo-extraction abound everywhere (though not on this Web site, which is probably a good thing) and, inevitably, they write about what they know and they do it from their own perspective.

After the quarterfinals of the Champions League, many will feel that the Premiership's time has finally come. The fact that three of the four semifinalists are from the Premier League suggests that success on the pitch has caught up with success in other areas, from marketing to media exposure to the balance sheet.

The reality is that anyone who judges the strength of a league from the number of semifinalists is missing the point. The success of Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea doesn't automatically make the Premiership the best in the world, just as having three Italians semifinalists four years ago didn't necessarily mean that Serie A was the cream of the crop back then.

That said, there is a common thread linking the achievements of the three English clubs and it offers plenty of food for thought for those playing catch-up. Here is a list of reasons why, as the venerable French newspaper L'Equipe put it, l'Europe parle anglais.

1. Money

Right now, there are eight clubs in Europe who are in the highest tier of spending power. Four of them are English, while the others are Real Madrid, Barcelona, AC Milan and Inter Milan. Money alone does not buy success, of course. But then, hey, it's not rocket science: If you have the funds to lure top players from other teams and are willing to pay to keep them happy, you're going to have a definite edge.

2. Stability

Arsène Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson have been in charge for ages. Rafa Benítez and José Mourinho are in their third seasons. Of the other 12 clubs who advanced to the knockout stage of the Champions League, just three are led by guys who have been around for two years or more: Barcelona, Milan (which, not coincidentally, is the fourth semifinalist) and Lille. Surely that can't be a coincidence.

3. Fate

For whatever reason, most of Europe's other bigwigs are either having sub-par campaigns (Milan, Bayern), have been mired in controversy (Real Madrid, Barcelona) or have not had luck on their side (Lyon, Inter). Apart from a rash of injuries at some clubs, things have been running relatively smoothly for the English contingent.

4. Managerial nous

All three of the English semifinalists are managed by guys who are arguably among the top five coaches in the world. What's more, each is enjoying a tremendous season (the same can't be said for other top coaches, from Carlo Ancelotti to Frank Rijkaard and from Ottmar Hitzfeld to Fabio Capello). Giovanni Trapattoni once told me that, "A good manager can make a team five percent better; a bad manager can make them up to 30 percent worse." I don't think anyone can argue that Benítez, Mourinho and Ferguson have all made their clubs better this season.
Extra time

Much was made of the policing at the Stadio Olimpico for the Rome vs. Manchester United first leg, when Roman police in riot gear went in hard and indiscriminately against United supporters. This led to much gloating about the supposed innate superiority of the British police.

As an Italian, I am ashamed at the actions of the Rome police and their seemingly random head-bashing. I've always believed law enforcement should focus on the miscreants (and there were enough of them among the United fans in Rome) rather than taking on an entire group. Anyone with access to YouTube can see sickening scenes of a middle-aged woman receiving four or five nightstick blows to the head. And that's simply unacceptable.

That said, it's not as if the English police are perfect, either. For the return leg at Old Trafford, they escorted the Roma supporters straight to the ground and slowly and meticulously searched them all one by one as they went in. As a result, it took so long to get the visiting fans into the ground that the majority of them were left outside for hours, which meant they were sitting ducks for the minority of United fans bent on exacting some kind of revenge for what happened in Rome.

That's why the cops had to intervene and, eventually, 21 people (14 of them United supporters) were arrested as there were clashes immediately outside Old Trafford.

Unlike their Rome counterparts, the English police were reasonable and treated supporters firmly but respectfully. For that they should be praised. But whoever was in charge of the organization that day (and had the bright idea to conduct body searches) needs to have a serious re-think.

LINK:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/gabriele_marcotti/04/12/england/index.html


I cant believe the English police seached the Roma fans. It would of been much better to let them take knives etc into the ground:rolleyes:

[johan neeskens]

The answer to the question in the thread title is money.

[Catel]

I have to recognize that the English football is very strong since the players and the managers are no more English...

[leg_breaker]

That said, it's not as if the English police are perfect, either. For the return leg at Old Trafford, they escorted the Roma supporters straight to the ground and slowly and meticulously searched them all one by one as they went in. As a result, it took so long to get the visiting fans into the ground that the majority of them were left outside for hours, which meant they were sitting ducks for the minority of United fans bent on exacting some kind of revenge for what happened in Rome.

That meticulous searching is why there are no flares, knives, fireworks or smoke bombs in the grounds.

[leg_breaker]

I have to recognize that the English football is very strong since the players and the managers are no more English...

Yes, English football was a joke in the days of managers like Paisley and Clough.

[sinner78]

Yes, English football was a joke in the days of managers like Paisley and Clough.

here here .
successful throughout history with or without any imports (rich or poor).
In fact the most successful era was the late 70s and early 80s ,when there was barely an import in the entire league.
As opposed to the french teams ,who have won precisely 2 cups in 5 decades of competition. Only time they ever won the CL was when marseille bribed their way to the 1993 win.


as for the article...
SI.com is always weak.
the fate paragraph had me laughing

3. Fate

For whatever reason, most of Europe's other bigwigs are either having sub-par campaigns (Milan, Bayern), have been mired in controversy (Real Madrid, Barcelona) or have not had luck on their side (Lyon, Inter). Apart from a rash of injuries at some clubs, things have been running relatively smoothly for the English contingent.


What kind of clown logic is that by the SI writer??
Poor performance isnt "fate". Lyon played pathetic against roma so how is that "bad luck" on their part???
And painting things as all rosy for the prem clubs is also highly amusing.

Chelsea have been ravaged by injuries all year and been mired in controversy with the mourinho/abramovich feud. Even had their first choice keeper out with a fractured skull .And man utd had half their backline injured for the roma clash. Arsenal have been in turmoil all year too.

SI is bog standard for football coverage. Worst writers on the net.

[johan neeskens]

It cracks me up when people ask for sympathy for Chelsea and its many injuries, sorry.

[johan neeskens]

Yes, English football was a joke in the days of managers like Paisley and Clough.

True but in the days of Paisley and Clough, English football was, well, English. Just like Dutch football was Dutch and Spanish football was Spanish. You could judge leagues on their own merits back then but now? The Bosman rule and EU employment rules have allowed money to become more important in the game and this in turn has given English football dominance in Europe but it's also robbed you off your identity. Just my opinion mind.

[sinner78]

It cracks me up when people ask for sympathy for Chelsea and its many injuries, sorry.


I guess you didnt read the article and just dived in.
The article implied that every english club has had a smooth ride with no troubles at all.

Now you're in the thread I give it 5 posts before a full scale argument breaks out.

[botch]

This is wrong. Sorry, but from someone with a non bias opinion, not from england, spain or italy I can say this isn't as well thought out.

First. We can basically say that the beginning was August. Now it's April. it's been 9 months. You cannot say the Premier League is the best league in the world because of 9 months. Only the english have been saying that. It's important because I ahve read opinions about this from all over the world, and most people say the Premier League is still not the best league and it's ridiculous to think that just because 3 teams out of the semi finalists in 1 season that that makes it the best league in the world.

I hate this xenophobia and the fact that anyone with a connection to a more anglo culture adeheres to that culture, which is why out of the people that know anything about football in the US and also Australia, they pretty much only know about the Premier League because that's all they know and all they follow. Whereas the rest of the world, judges football on football itself.

The worst bit is the attitudes in general of English supporters in anything(this adheres to rugby and cricket too). They overrate things, and if there is even a small sign that there is success(Ie having a more than one team in the semi finals of the champions league) they will over expose that fact as much as possible. Which is ridiculous. You look outside the top clubs in England and you see primitive football. You look outside the top clubs in spain or italy and you still see decent teams, teams that know how to play football and are entertaining to watch, teams that don't need to play long ball because they don't know how to play in tight spaces, and teams that don't need to break your legs to get the ball off you.

It's just marketing and typical English supporters overrating things.

I really think Barcelona would have won it this year, but who would have known that they would have half their squad injured. The main way to know which league is the best in the world, is to look at the overall league.

There is a great article from this guy about this whole thing.

http://www.theworldgame.com.au/opinions/index.php?pid=st&cid=86679&ct=30

This is another great article on why English players and the teams in general aren't that good and why the national team isn't that good.

http://www.theworldgame.com.au/opinions/index.php?pid=st&cid=86089&ct=22

The only reason people are saying it's the best, is because the english say it's the best in a predominantly english speaking anglo influenced world. The english have been saying it's the best league in the world since early 2000 when everyone knew it was Spain. But that's the english, their players don't get good because they stick to plays in the premier league, they don't look outside it and they look up to players from the premier league. Whilst the rest of the world is looking up to magical players hence it makes the next generation better players. Key example. The 80's, the english kids were looking up to Glenn Hoddle and Gary Lineker. The rest of the world looked up to Maradona. In the 90's the English looked up to David Beckham and Teddy Sheringham, the rest of the world looked up to Ronaldo.

This xenophobia really bugs me and the attitude of we invented it and we know best. If it's not english it doesn't matter. That's why all the world players of the year have played in the Premier League and why the English have the most Champions League trophies. Just lame.

I mean look at the past week. Lionel Messi did something historic and the world's press went crazy, everyone talked about it, everyone was blown away. Except the Egnlish who ignored it.

[nicephoras]

I really think Barcelona would have won it this year, but who would have known that they would have half their squad injured.

:rolleyes: You mean the way they won it two years ago? Nor was "half" of Barca's squad injured. Barca are one of the deepest teams in Europe and they weren't even hit by injuries very hard other than to Eto'o. They were outplayed by both Chelsea and Liverpool in Europe.

The notion of bottom Spanish clubs playing good football is a complete myth. I've seen lower league Spanish football. Hoofing the ball, huffing and puffing. Nothing terribly interesting or exciting; no more than division 1. For all the talk of Spain's supposedly amazing league, why have only Real and Barca managed to win the CL? Isn't that a bit odd? Of the big 3 Spain has the heaviest domination by two clubs by a huge margin.

The 3 leagues are roughly the same with England having a very slight lead over Spain and Italy at the moment, the way Spain did 5 years ago. Anything else is bluster.

[botch]

:rolleyes: You mean the way they won it two years ago? Nor was "half" of Barca's squad injured. Barca are one of the deepest teams in Europe and they weren't even hit by injuries very hard other than to Eto'o. They were outplayed by both Chelsea and Liverpool in Europe.

The notion of bottom Spanish clubs playing good football is a complete myth. I've seen lower league Spanish football. Hoofing the ball, huffing and puffing. Nothing terribly interesting or exciting; no more than division 1. For all the talk of Spain's supposedly amazing league, why have only Real and Barca managed to win the CL? Isn't that a bit odd? Of the big 3 Spain has the heaviest domination by two clubs by a huge margin.

The 3 leagues are roughly the same with England having a very slight lead over Spain and Italy at the moment, the way Spain did 5 years ago. Anything else is bluster.

I never said bottom teams, i said teams below the big guns. Weren't hit by injuries very hard. Half the team was out of form. At one point they only had sylvinho as a striker and I don't just mean the champions league. They were outplayed by Chelsea and Liverpool, but you'd hardly call that an inform barca team and I support Real madrid. Well why is it odd? Alot of the trophies happened to be won by madrid by one of the greatest teams ever.

[sinner78]

This is where you FAIL the most.
Your whole diatribe was tragic but this........................




There is a great article from this guy about this whole thing.

http://www.theworldgame.com.au/opinions/index.php?pid=st&cid=86679&ct=30

This is another great article on why English players and the teams in general aren't that good and why the national team isn't that good.

http://www.theworldgame.com.au/opinions/index.php?pid=st&cid=86089&ct=22
.


The Spanish national team has a diabolical record. If you spend like an hour ar$e reaming spanish football and then dont mention how their national team stinks then you FAIL. You have to use the same standards for everyone and you dont. Spain havent even been to semi final since the 60s .You think posting up a post written by an italian on an aussie website proves it all!!!!


Seems like you think you know the opinion of everyone in the whole world.
Without ever setting foot in england you know the opinion of everyone.
WOW ,how do you do it??
have you got a magic crystal ball???

[ztnjv]

Under FATE, I think it's worth mentioning that the Scandals in Italy weakened the pool of teams that went to Europe.

weak sides like Chievo Verona, Livorno and Parma were put into the competition because of the point deductions while Lazio, Fiorentina and Juve were removed and Roma was moved from Uefa to CL.

Without the scandals, it would have been like this:

CL: Juve, Milan, Inter and Fiorentina
Uefa: Roma, Lazio, Palermo.

I think it's pretty obvious that this all changed balance of power quite a bit and had a profound impact on who reached the last 8 and last 4 of the two tournaments.

[sinner78]

Under FATE, I think it's worth mentioning that the Scandals in Italy weakened the pool of teams that went to Europe.

weak sides like Chievo Verona, Livorno and Parma were put into the competition because of the point deductions while Lazio, Fiorentina and Juve were removed and Roma was moved from Uefa to CL.

Without the scandals, it would have been like this:

CL: Juve, Milan, Inter and Fiorentina
Uefa: Roma, Lazio, Palermo.

I think it's pretty obvious that this all changed balance of power quite a bit and had a profound impact on who reached the last 8 and last 4 of the two tournaments.


So whose fault is it that Juventus ,Fiorentina and Milan decided to cheat?
and gain unnatural advantage over other local rivals by rigging games.

[ztnjv]

So whose fault is it that Juventus ,Fiorentina and Milan decided to cheat?
and gain unnatural advantage over other local rivals by rigging games.

That's beside the point. We're talking about why the EPL seems to dominating the CL this year (and spain the Uefa cup)....this fact explains a lot. I didn't say it wasn't the right thing to do. It was...but that doesn't change the fact that stronger teams were left out...period. An that had an effect..period.

I don't see any real argument there....unless you think Chievo, Parma and Livorno instead Juve, Fiorentina and Lazio in their respective cups (along with Roma playing in the Uefa) didn't really change anythingh in terms of strength of teams. Obviously it changed a lot, IMO.

That's all I'm saying.

[RichardL]

This is wrong. Sorry, but from someone with a non bias opinion, not from england, spain or italy I can say this isn't as well thought out.

First. We can basically say that the beginning was August. Now it's April. it's been 9 months. You cannot say the Premier League is the best league in the world because of 9 months.

beyond posters in WR style threads, who is?


Only the english have been saying that.

we have?


It's important because I ahve read opinions about this from all over the world, and most people say the Premier League is still not the best league and it's ridiculous to think that just because 3 teams out of the semi finalists in 1 season that that makes it the best league in the world.

so who is saying it?


I hate this xenophobia and the fact that anyone with a connection to a more anglo culture adeheres to that culture, which is why out of the people that know anything about football in the US and also Australia, they pretty much only know about the Premier League because that's all they know and all they follow.

aha! So it's non-English people, who aren't in or from England, who are saying it. Damn those English.



The worst bit is the attitudes in general of English supporters in anything(this adheres to rugby and cricket too). They overrate things

ah cricket. I've seen a few posts on here about how the aussies were delighted to beat the smug arrogant English in the ashes as the English were convinced winning would be easy. The fact that nigh on all reporters prior to the series were saying defeat was very likely doesn't matter, everyne knows the English assumed they'd win.


, and if there is even a small sign that there is success(Ie having a more than one team in the semi finals of the champions league) they will over expose that fact as much as possible. Which is ridiculous.

whereas naturally, if Spain or Italy had three CL semi-finalists everyone would be completely level-headed about it, and insist it proves nothing.


You look outside the top clubs in England and you see primitive football.

you do? Really? Which clubs did you have in mind? Or is it merely that you only like only style of football?


You look outside the top clubs in spain or italy and you still see decent teams, teams that know how to play football and are entertaining to watch, teams that don't need to play long ball because they don't know how to play in tight spaces, and teams that don't need to break your legs to get the ball off you.

yep, thought so.


It's just marketing and typical English supporters overrating things.

So the premiership is popular around the world because the English overrate it?


I really think Barcelona would have won it this year, but who would have known that they would have half their squad injured.

aww, poor them. Tragically unlucky for them to have half their squad (what's that? 20 players?) injured.


The main way to know which league is the best in the world, is to look at the overall league.

or just the one where your favourite club play



The only reason people are saying it's the best, is because the english say it's the best in a predominantly english speaking anglo influenced world.

who is saying it?


The english have been saying it's the best league in the world since early 2000

you seem remarkably well informed about what people here are saying. Have you bugged the houses or something?


But that's the english, their players don't get good because they stick to plays in the premier league
how many top Italian or spanish players play outside of their countries? People move for the money, not to improve themselves.


Whilst the rest of the world is looking up to magical players hence it makes the next generation better players. Key example. The 80's, the english kids were looking up to Glenn Hoddle and Gary Lineker.

Have you ever seen Hoddle play? I guess he's the classic tough-tackling long ball style of player you hate.


In the 90's the English looked up to David Beckham and Teddy Sheringham, the rest of the world looked up to Ronaldo.

yep, because those two were widely considered to be the best players in England during the 90s.


This xenophobia really bugs me and the attitude of we invented it and we know best.

again, is this mind-reading? Did you read it in your lea-leaves?


If it's not english it doesn't matter. That's why all the world players of the year have played in the Premier League and why the English have the most Champions League trophies. Just lame.

So I guess games from Serie A, the Bundesliga etc get shown a lot on regular Spanish TV then?


I mean look at the past week. Lionel Messi did something historic and the world's press went crazy, everyone talked about it, everyone was blown away. Except the Egnlish who ignored it.
The world's press? You checked them all? How big was the reaction in Germany, for example? Which French sports reports did you read or see? And how much English coverage did you see to make it safe to assume it was completely ignored here?

[O Fenômeno]

Quite frankly it is about time they starting doing stuff in CL..besides

Liverpool
Manutd
Arsenal the CL has been dominated by Serie A, and La LiGA TEAMS..

[O Fenômeno]

@ richardL

Clever post..majority of the posters from england on this forum are rude, who will just insult you when they don't agree.

Now

I really don't see it...this is the first in about 5 years that english clubs have started to really dominate in CL. Of course the british press is gonna hype stuff up....the answer to the ORIGINAL QUESTION?

English clubs have more than excellent players,managers...plus money. Plus it's an english league.

But looking at the FACTS...

Out of the LAST 20 Champions League Winners..

5 have been LA LIGA Clubs
5 have been SERIE A Clubs
2 have been EPL Clubs
2 have been Eredivise Clubs
2 have been Bundesliga Clubs
2 have been Porto Liga Clubs

No point in counting the rest