Capello cites English example

Capello cites English example
(PA) Wednesday 27 May 2009
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Fabio Capello has warned Italian football it must follow England's lead if it is ever to regain its status as the world's best. For the fifth season in a row, the Premier League will be represented in the UEFA Champions League final, as Manchester United look to defend their crown against Barcelona.

Another season looking on from the sidelines has prompted plenty of navel-gazing in Italy. The Azzurri may have been good enough to lift the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™, but at club level the situation is markedly different.
Overall, the Premier League is decidedly more competitive than Serie A.
Fabio Capello

No Serie A outfit made it as far as the quarter-finals this term, with Roma, Juventus and champions Inter Milan all beaten by English opposition in the last 16. Capello feels there are lessons to be learned if Italy is to regain its previous dominance.

"Inter Milan had all the potential to reach the final - at the very least I had expected them to get to the semi-finals," the England coach told The Football Association's official website. "Unfortunately for them they met a great side like Manchester United, although in truth United at that time were not as strong as they are now.

"But overall, the Premier League is decidedly more competitive than Serie A because the Italian public does not easily accept the physical challenges. It is vitally important for the Italian league to go for less interruptions while allowing a more physical approach."

Dream final
As the man who masterminded AC Milan's famous victory over Barcelona in final of the 1993/94 Champions League, Capello has plenty of his own history in the competition, and he is hoping for a classic tonight. "You are talking about two teams loaded with top-class players, all of them capable of deciding the outcome with a single move," he said.

"United have progressed on their winning route, with a fantastic squad, surely the strongest squad in the world. In spite of the injuries, they have been able to proceed with continuity because they have so many options.
Surely they are the two most entertaining teams in the world, and let's hope that the final will be entertaining too.
Fabio Capello on the meeting between Barcelona and Manchester United

"(Barcelona manager) Pep Guardiola was clever to preserve a technical and tactical continuity with the passing game and sophisticated touches of Frank Rijkaard's team, but he's also realised that you cannot win without defending, and has done an excellent job.

"But United have one of the best defensive records in the Champions League. Surely they are the two most entertaining teams in the world, and let's hope that the final will be entertaining too."