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The Spanish national side boss believes that it will be a two-horse race in Europe this term, but that the English contenders will see their throne usurped…
Europe’s premier club competition was dominated by the English Premier League last season. Not only was the final of the Champions League an all-English affair, eventually won by Manchester United, but Liverpool also reached the semi-finals of the competition, underlining the Premier League's dominance of season 2007/08.
But the newly-appointed Spain coach Vicente del Bosque feels there will be no repeat this year.
“Are the English sides superior? They have indeed been more successful of late, but I don’t agree,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “Italian or Spanish clubs can claim the Champions League this term.”
And all the Serie A flag-bearers will take on English counterparts in the last 16, as Inter have drawn the Red Devils, Roma will face Arsenal and Juventus will meet Chelsea.
“Inter have finally become a team, after a long period during which they just collected players,” stated del Bosque. “They often come short in Europe, but José Mourinho’s resumé speaks for itself.
“Roma taught Real Madrid a lesson last season and Juve have a very strong back-line that is very difficult to penetrate and [Giorgio] Chiellini is superb. Moreover, they have a certain [Alessandro] Del Piero…”
