Premier League clubs may well take inspiration from Basel and Napoli, argues KEVIN McCARRA
IT SAYS much for the grandiosity of the Premier League that the failure of two of its members to get to the knockout stage of Europe’s leading club tournament seems to call for an inquiry, if not an autopsy. The Manchester clubs have both passed on to the tenuous afterlife of the Europa League.
This should be a cause for relief and celebration on England’s domestic scene. An example has been set by a batch of Basel players who came to the club at little or no cost. They have eliminated Manchester United, winning their home match on Wednesday after leaving United feeling fortunate to have snatched a point in the 3-3 draw at Old Trafford in September.
There is no doubting Basel’s right to go forward at United’s expense. Results in the Champions’ League should be studied carefully by the other teams in the Premier League.
They ought to look at Manchester City’s attempts to writhe into the last 16. The club have the means to make heads swim in England but the minds of European opponents stayed sharp and clear.
The appraisal of the English clubs did not see Basel and Napoli adopting the automatic cringe that is so common on the domestic scene in England.
Alex McLeish, the Aston Villa manager, merits respect and secured the League Cup for Birmingham City last season, yet he could barely coax his men into making even token attacks when United recorded a 1-0 victory at Villa Park last weekend.
For all the denials, players often have an assumption of defeat in certain matches that has not been eradicated by battalions of managers and sport psychologists.
No matter how much Premier League clubs resent the accusation, Basel showed the game in England’s top flight is being let down. Teams will spring the odd surprise but more often they settle fatalistically for a defeat everyone had anticipated.
It is this mentality that explains the condition of the Premier League. The table shows City unbeaten and the only defeat for the pursuing United was inflicted by Roberto Mancini’s side. This state of affairs exists even though a third of the campaign has been completed.
Teams from the continent have reminded clubs of just how shaming is the situation.
No one can forget the financial clout at City but it was no deterrent to Napoli. Mancini’s team were never ahead in either match. It was impressive in the away game that an equaliser for City did not dent Napoli at all, with Edinson Cavani going on to claim the winner with his second goal of the night.
There was no deference towards a club whose means are so great as to carry a hallucinatory tone.
City can be highly entertaining and David Silva already looks player of the year elect, yet Napoli were not cowed as English opponents have been.
The Serie A club have financial muscle of their own and the €16.5 million paid to Palermo for Cavani in 2010 was substantial. Greater sums would have been demanded if City had been the bidders and they can alter that situation only by pulling out of a deal or two that have turned exorbitant.
Any worries at the Etihad Stadium are of an exotic sort and that five-point lead in the Premier League must be a comfort but the Champions League has stripped the English clubs of any excuse for suggesting that money has made City impregnable.
The supposed elite are to be dealt with sceptically.
United, with centre half Rio Ferdinand showing his age, can be insecure and the opening goal from Basel that triggered so much trouble could be blamed on terrible handling by the goalkeeper David de Gea.
In general, the club miss players such as the retired Paul Scholes and it is yet to be proved that Ashley Young will stand comparison with Old Trafford wingers of yesteryear.
Chelsea are in the throes of redevelopment, City are gone from the Champions League and, for the time being, United are not cloaked in the magisterial aura that usually emanates from Alex Ferguson.
The faltering in Europe will be a blessing if it emboldens the remainder of England’s clubs.
Guardianservice
