According to LA Times, Europe's Best Europe's top 15 leagues as ranked by UEFA (based on performance of each league's teams in European Champions League play over the last five seasons. 1. Spain 2. Italy 3. England 4. Germany 5. France 6. Greece 7. Netherlands 8. Turkey 9. Portugal 10. Russia 11. Czech Republic 12. Scotland 13. Ukraine 14. Belgium 15. Austria
funny that italy is in 2nd place. They aint even managed to get a team as far as the champions league quarter finals for about 4 years.
Re: Re: Europe's Best 15 It's based on a five-year scale, so it makes sense - Juve's final placing in '98 and Lazio's and Inter's in the quarterfinals in 2000 and '99, respectively, still count. What's really holding them up there, though, are Parma's UEFA Cup win in '99 and Inter's in '98.
True, but it won't compensate the drop they'll take for the previous few years of non performance of the collective teams.
Thank you for that. BTW....Chelsea are often refered to as the Italian premier team, did you know that?
Because of Ranieri, Zola, Cudicini (and going back Vialli, DiMatteo, et al) I assume?. I actually have a soft spot for Chelsea - because of the Italian connection - but also because they were my great-granddad's team. My dad still remembers going to Stamford Bridge and watching the game on his granddad's shoulders when he was a young boy. But I couldn't resist the jab. Sorry....
Ah.....the good ol days When we used to stand at games and hurl coins/cigarette lighters....er, i mean abuse at each other. I used to be a regular in the North end in the 80's and we really didn't have a whole lot to cheer about back then.Wining the 2nd division title and kerry Dixon geting a cap where about the highlights of my time. We had a "shed end " then.....now it's gone, except for the back wall which Bates had to leave for structural purposes I saw the Italian national team play in '85...a friendly against Ireland in Dublin. I remember remarking on how small Rossi actually was compared to the telly. As for the jab.....well, being an old Chelsea fan..unlike the prawn sandwich crowd that have appeared over the past 7 or so years....i have a rather thick skin so i can take it. But i'll be watching for a chance to get back
Re: Re: Europe's Best 15 I'd hope it was a serious comment...you can easily slot MLS in the 13-15 range here....I'd keep the league below Scotland because of Celtic/Rangers...but it can stand up to Ukraine, Belgium or Austria easily.... Look at what a mostly MLS-bred team did in the World Cup....
Re: Re: Re: Europe's Best 15 Yes, that is true MLS is improving, but since when was the US considered part of europe?
I believe the original post was simply asking where MLS would slot in if you were to rank it among this list of 15....
I would put the US at or near 7. I fully guarantee you that the Galaxy could easily go toe to toe with ANY of the best teams in the 7+ leagues, even Ajax or Feyenoord or PSV Eindhoven.
No one in their right mind thinks the Galaxy would come away with a 50% record against Ajax, Feyenoord, and PSV, but the Galaxy would certainly not be embarrassed by even a full-strength Ajax squad. They wouldn't be likely to win, but would certanly hold their own. I think a top MLS team could win 1 of 4 matches against a top Eredivisie team. But even if the top teams are not as strong, MLS is a lot tighter than most European leagues. DC United and the Metrostars could quite easily thrash the bottom teams in most European first divisions. (Note: this excludes the top 5 or 6 leagues.) DC United vs. PAS Giannina (bottom of Greek first division)? No contest!
You could certainly right there, but this ranking is solely built on the performance of the best teams of each league. So, if we try to figure where MLS should be, the best MLS teams must be as good as Fenerbahçe or Galatasaray to match the turkish league (at number 8) or as good as Glasgow Rangers and Celtic to match the scottish (at number 12). Are they?