Nemanja Vidic feels the Premier League can give itself a hefty pat on the back as four of its teams wait to discover their Champions League fate. Once again the English quartet has made it through to the quarter-finals, with the odds on at least one of them making it to the final in Rome on May 27th.
It would be the fifth time on the trot there has been top-flight representation in Europe’s biggest club competition. And Vidic is in no doubt the Premier League has earned the right to call itself number one.
“The English league is the best,” said the Manchester United defender. “The Premier League is stronger than anyone else in Europe now. Once again there are four teams in the quarter-finals. That has to be good for English football.
“It is good for the players to be involved in the English game.”
Given the widely publicised unhappiness Uefa president Michel Platini has at the dominance of English teams, conspiracy theorists wonder whether tomorrow’s last-eight draw might consign all four teams to the same section, ensuring there is no repeat of the all-English showdown in Moscow last season, when United beat Chelsea on penalties.
The Londoners would certainly relish the opportunity of revenge over Alex Ferguson’s men, who are also aware Arsenal have a victory at the Emirates this season to fall back on, while Liverpool blitzed them at Old Trafford last weekend.
Not that the other four potential opponents are exactly unknown to United.
The Red Devils have met Villarreal four times in the past four seasons — with not a goal in sight for either side — and FC Porto, with Jose Mourinho as manager, dumped them out of the 2004 competition.
In addition, Barcelona were beaten in last season’s semi-final and Bayern Munich have a special place in United’s history as the team on the wrong end of that stunning last-gasp triumph in 1999.
Ferguson has already revealed his gut feeling that United will draw English opposition in the knock-out stages for the first time. And Vidic realises he may not be adding to his air miles this time around.
“There is a chance we could play another English team,” he said. “It is three from seven, so the odds are quite good. Whoever we play will be difficult because they are all top teams now.
“We know that any team we play, we will need to give our best.”
Arsenal
The Gunners have stuttered their way through this season but may be hitting form at just the right time. Arsenal have players of the quality of Theo Walcott, Cesc Fabregas and Eduardo coming back from injury and seem to have struck a better balance in Europe this season. Arsene Wenger will probably want to avoid English opposition and they will need to rediscover their scoring touch if they are to make the last four.
Barcelona
The Catalan giants are tournament favourites based on their blistering attacking play to date, disposing of Lyon 6-3 in the last round. The attacking triumvirate of Thierry Henry, Samuel Eto’o and Lionel Messi strikes fear into defences across the continent but there are question marks over their defence based on recent stuttering form in La Liga. Barcelona will be confident whoever they face and they have every reason to be.
Bayern Munich
The German aristocrats made people sit up and take notice with their record thrashing of Sporting Lisbon in the last round. They have shown solid form throughout and possess players of real quality in winger Frank Ribery and full-back Philipp Lahm. The Allianz Arena is a difficult place to play but they will want to avoid the English giants if they are to progress.
Chelsea
Chelsea have undergone a quiet transformation since the arrival of interim manager Guus Hiddink. Without being spectacular they seem to have rediscovered the spirit which made them so difficult to beat in the past. Michael Essien is back after a long injury lay-off to bolster their midfield and if Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard can continue their current form they may have what it takes to deliver that elusive Champions League title to Stamford Bridge.
Liverpool
Liverpool are flying after superb results against Real Madrid and Manchester United, and with manager Rafa Benitez signing a new five-year contract there is a real feel-good factor around the club. Captain Steven Gerrard is bullish about their chances, telling Liverpool FC magazine: “We are not running scared of anybody. We will take who we get and believe that we are going to go through.”
Manchester United
The Premier League and European champions have been imperious this season but a stuttering win against Inter Milan and last weekend’s thrashing by Liverpool have given other teams in the draw some hope. Expect a reaction following the Liverpool result and another place in the semi-final seems more than likely.
Porto
Undoubtedly the outsiders of the draw and probably the team everyone else would like to meet. The 2004 winners topped Arsenal‘s group this season and disposed of an attacking Atletico Madrid side in the last round, so should not be completely discounted. In Lisandro Lopez they have a striker who knows how to score at this level, with six this season to date, but the impression is the quarter-finals will be where their adventure ends.
Villarreal
The smaller of the two Spanish sides in the draw, the Yellow Submarine showed their tidy brand of football earlier in the competition when drawing twice with champions Manchester United. They possess quality in playmakers Santi Cazorla and Ariel Ibagaza and coach Manuel Pellegrini says his side “are focused on getting as far as possible.” Villarreal will be tough opponents but a semi-final berth seems beyond them.
