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PARIS, May 10 – The Premier League has marked its return to the European scene in a week punctuated by a haunting drama. Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are expected to meet in the second final of the all-English Champions League next month.
Chelsea and Arsenal have ensured that the success of the English teams is not limited to the highest club competition on the continent. They both reach the jewel of the Europa League to give the Premier League four European finalists unprecedented the first time.
Ironically, the English sweep on the football field comes as the UK fights Brexit, the painful and prolonged withdrawal of the European Union.
Only twice before in European football – the 1972 UEFA Cup and the 2008 UEFA Champions League – two English teams had played in one final, but two unlikely comebacks secured another match of this type on 1 June in Madrid.
Liverpool, finalist of Real Madrid last year, put an end to Spain 's victory over the continent' s best club trophy for five years. They shocked Lionel Messi and Barcelona – their 4-0 win at Anfield prompted Tottenham to fight like an inconceivable 24 hours later.
"We saw Liverpool last night. Spurs defenseman Danny Rose said his team, after beating their 3-0 deficit at half-time, broke Ajax's heart with a Lucas Moura hat-trick in the second half.
"We enjoyed watching the draw against Barcelona. They are also heroes and, of course, it will be an incredible final between two English teams which we will certainly enjoy, "added Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino.
Despite record-breaking broadcast deals worth billions of dollars worldwide, English clubs have been outnumbered in the Champions League over the past decade.
However, although Barcelona, Juventus and Bayern Munich have dominated at home in recent years, no club has retained the Premier League title since Manchester United in 2009, during the last season of Cristiano Ronaldo at Old Trafford.
The constant selection of the top six teams each season for only four Champions League places does not allow anyone to rest on their laurels, in the field or in the recruitment process.
High level
Crucially, the Premier League now has not only money, but also world-class training that has been given time to develop.
Pep Guardiola is in his third season as manager of the city, Jurgen Klopp at his fourth in Liverpool and Pochettino towards the end of the fifth Spurs season.
"I think that the level of the Premier League is clear," said Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri, whose first rough season in England could end on an unexpected record with a place in the top four.
"If you consider that we have reached the final of the League Cup and we have to play against Liverpool, Tottenham and the final against Man City, you have an idea of the level."
Sarri will now face Unai Emery while Chelsea face Arsenal in the final of the Europa League in Baku on May 29.
Chelsea needed a penalty session to beat Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League semi-finals, while a Pierre-Emerick Aubayemang pass allowed the Gunners to take it 4- 2 against Valencia for a total of 7-3.
The final will be the first of Arsenal in Europe since the defeat of the 2006 Champions League in favor of Barcelona.
"I am very proud of the players and the fans. The players have done their utmost and we can be proud of the whole club, "said Emery, who has already coached Sevilla to three Europa League titles.
Valencia coach Marcelino praised the strength of the Premier League.
"Arsenal had a bigger blow," he said.
Chelsea goaltender Kepa Arrizabalaga had to travel 4,500 km to Azerbaijan to face Arsenal, while her two courts are just seven miles away in London.
"We will have a powerful derby in London with Arsenal in Baku," he said. – AFP
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