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| Thursday 1 May, 2008 |
| Blog: Four-za Milan |
| Fiorentina may deserve to finish fourth, but Antonio Labbate explains why Italian football would benefit if Milan pipped them into the Champions League |
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It was tough watching the Champions League semi-finals this week. With Italian interest limited to just Barcelona full-back Gianluca Zambrotta, Serie A followers were forced to accept the fact that the peninsula’s best this season were just not good enough on the biggest and most lucrative stage there is.
While some may argue that Chelsea had an easy run up until the semi-finals and that Manchester United preached a disguised form of Catenaccio, there is no doubt that they are two of Europe’s most talented sides.
Of course, Italy’s big boys will be mounting another challenge next season in an effort to readdress the balance of power. Inter, Roma and Juventus have already qualified for the competition, but who will join them? With three games left, Fiorentina lead Milan by two points.
The Tuscan giants would undoubtedly deserve a sporting shot at the trophy after the Calciopoli verdicts contrived to rob them of a return to the European Cup over the last two campaigns. However, if you solely put the winning interests of Italian football into the equation, then it would clearly be more effective for Milan to pip them to fourth.
The Rossoneri have had a campaign to forget, yet one has to accept the reality that they would in all probability be more of a force in Europe next season than the Viola. While Cesare Prandelli – Italy’s most talented boss right now – has worked wonders at the Franchi, the club lack the financial clout and experience to mount a serious Champions League challenge. Don’t be misguided by their progress in the Mickey Mouse Cup.
Milan, on the other hand, have the financial backing to – as is necessary – re-invigorate their squad ahead of the 2008-09 campaign. And should they make the right acquisitions tactically, rather than superficially, then the multiple European champions could even be Serie A’s best bet of reaching the latter stages of the European Cup a year from now.
Inter will once more be expected to delude by failing to live up to their undoubted potential, Roma will probably again lose a big-name player during the summer – Amantino Mancini – which will complicate their priority of adding squad depth, while we shouldn’t expect too much from a Juventus side who sometimes struggled in Europe even with their pre-demotion super squad.
So who should finish fourth – Fiorentina or Milan? It depends on whether you’d like to watch an all Premiership Champions League Final at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico next term. No offence, but I wouldn’t.
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Antonio, while there is undoubtedly some truth in what you have said, as a Fiorentino I feel the need to defend the Viola's charge. While you rightly observe that the UEFA Cup is less of a competition than the Champions League, Fiorentina have got past Rosenborg – the side who cost Mourinho his job when they played Chelsea, PSV, undoubtedly a top quality side who were semi-finalists in the European Cup recently, while you could certainly argue that Rangers and Bayern could hold their own in the Champions League.
Secondly, while the British media may get very excited about the current situation, it is a situation based on the lack of depth in the Premiership. Four teams who will undoubtedly qualify for the Champions League, hence building up high UEFA coefficients, hence getting easy draws – at least in Chelsea, and until this round, Man United's cases.
Do you want to see Serie A reduced to a mockery, a characterless, money-driven machine owned by three Americans and a Russian oligarch? I am as disappointed as anyone at the poor showing in the Champions League of the Italian teams this season, but be careful what you wish for. Inter, Roma, Juventus and Milan becoming the undisputed, impenetrable top four in Serie A would be the real tragedy for Italian football.
Ross
This is idiotic. Firstly, Fiorentina have some of the best young talents in the land – Montolivo, Pazzini & Co – and I would rather watch a team of our future stars gain first class experience than Milan. Secondly, Milan’s current crop of players have won almost every trophy possible under Ancelotti except 'The Mickey Mouse Cup'. If it's good enough for Bayern, why not let Milan have a chance at getting that winning feeling back into their old legs? Thirdly, the Viola – dare I say it – may actually do well if they go on to win this version of the UEFA Cup, with a new found self belief that comes with winning titles! Lastly, and most importantly, Italy already have next year’s Champions League winners – Juventus are back.
Anonymous
The finances within English football at the moment give their clubs the edge, there can't be any doubt that money talks. Although I hope to be proved wrong, I don't see this changing next season – I expect England's big guns to all strengthen with transfer budgets that the Italian and even Spanish clubs will baulk at. Foreign investment, incredibly lucrative television contracts and higher match day takings than Italy's best are the reasons for this.
What is just as worrying is that the Premiership is gaining greater strength in depth because of this. Look at the money spent by West Ham, Man City, Everton, Spurs, etc. It's completely out of the reach of the likes of Palermo, Sampdoria, Udinese and the like to match this! Serie A was the strongest League in Europe just a few years ago, La Liga has had its turn and now English football is in pole position.
I do agree though that Milan would be a better bet for late progression in the Champions League than Fiorentina, even when some of their home performances this season hardly deserve it. Inter do on their day have the potential to win it given the strength of their squad and in my opinion the likely arrival of Jose Mourinho.
Roma are a very good side but are just not at the level of their English counterparts, yet. Juventus I would hope could make it to the quarter-finals, although a lot will depend on what they do in the transfer market. And Milan would be capable of anything, again depending on whom they bring in and how they settle. My fingers are crossed for all of Italy's European teams next season, but I've got a worrying feeling that this year's disappointments are a sign of things to come for the immediate future.
Neil
I personally do not think Milan deserve to play in the European Cup next season. They have been woeful from day one, while Fiorentina on the other hand have been brilliant and deserve a place at the top table of European football.
As for English clubs’ recent success, it’s only because of all the overseas players that these teams have, without them they would not have a hope of even getting past the quarter-finals. A true test of a country's talent and strength is the national side – who are the world champions at the moment?
As a Juventus fan I always want them to do well, but since the European Cup was ruined by letting in teams that can't even win their own domestic League championship I have totally lost interest. It just does not mean as much. The European Cup was a privilege, now players and fans alike think it is a right. The only reason I am glad Juve will be in the competition next season is because it might help to attract big name players to the club in the summer.
Rodney
Antonio, though I understand your viewpoint, I can’t help but say how narrow-minded and elitist you sound. Short-term Milan would surely be the sexier pick and I’m sure UEFA would undoubtedly side with you for their own reasons. That being said, if your motivation is solely based on the premise that Milan would have a better shot to advance further than anyone else, you are not looking at the bigger picture.
For Fiorentina to make the Champions League would be a huge shot in the arm of momentum, not to mention reward them with tremendous revenue streams for a club that could desperately use it. How does that make the prospect of an all-Italian Final in Rome much easier to realize? It doesn’t.
What that revenue will certainly do though short-term is help carve out a path for Fiorentina to become a viable club in the top flight, one that can compete at all tournaments, but more importantly, contribute to making Serie A a five team League rather than the Premiership’s four. Don’t get so down on Serie A if next year it’s another all-Premiership Final because we did it to them in Manchester five years prior. They’re just finally starting to catch up.
Michael Galati
I agree with what you said about Milan and the Viola. Even if Milan have had a bad campaign, they are still world champions. I do like Fiorentina, but, as you stated, they lack the finances to mount a serious challenge in the Champions League. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Milan win it again.
Anonymous
So you like Milan so much they should get a bye into the Champions League, rather than let Fiorentina get a just reward for a fantastic season? Also, just because Inter have struck out over the last couple of seasons, you don't see how they can build on experience to go further? Not long ago they were "non vincente mai”, now we’re on for a third straight Scudetto – and this one does count! And if Soros takes over Roma, I think they may be able to afford to replace Mancini?
Part of English football's problem is total dominance by the same four teams, Italy should spread the love and keep it interesting! But you're right, I'm sure that nice man Berlusconi will pass a law so Milan can play in Europe, rather than have them play well to avoid being in a competition beneath them. I always thought that you should get your rewards by your efforts on the pitch, I mean who do Milan think they are? Juventus!?
Dom, London
Football is cyclical and history clearly illustrates that point. Milan would probably do a better job in Europe next season than Fiorentina, but surely the Viola shouldn’t be denied the opportunity if they truly deserve it.
Jack, Norwich
A bye? Where did you get that from Dom? It would be better if you Inter fans kept quiet until your side win as much as your superior city rivals. There’s only one footballing giant in Milan and they wear red and black! See you on Sunday!
Pippo #9
See you Sunday indeed Pippo – I guess you’ll be the one offside? After our fourth derby in a row, I’ll concentrate on cheering the Viola into the CL! We may not have won as many European titles as you, but at least we’re not owned by Dracula!
Dom, London
I honestly think what you said is stupid. No offence. If Fiorentina were to go into the CL, they would possibly get to the round of 16. Maybe third in their group, if worst came to the worst. This would give them financial backing, as small as it might be compared to the likes of Roma and Inter, but see, Fiorentina would be in the same position Roma was two years ago. New team in Europe, inexperienced, not a big threat. Yet, like Roma, they could surprise one of the big boys. This would give them extra incentive to push in the market and get good buys and make a decent Champions League team, that could be a potential obstacle for the big boys, while still challenging for fourth and higher in Serie A.
Giovanni B
Why all the debate? Could Milan potentially win the European Cup next season? Yes. Could Fiorentina? No way! You have to beat better sides than Rangers to lift the Champions League.
P, Denmark
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