Lippi Hits out at Foreigners at English Clubs

Italy coach Marcello Lippi has played down the battle between English and Italian clubs in the Champions League this season by claiming that the Premier League sides aren't actually English. The 2006 World Cup Winning Italy manager told a foreign press meeting that he believes the Italian teams can progress in the Champions League against their 'international' opponents. Three Italian clubs failed to notch a single goal in their matches against EPL opposition. Juventus and AS Roma lost 1-0 away against Chelsea and Arsenal respectively while Inter Milan were held 0-0 at home by Manchester United. The results have brought in a wave of negativity in Italy as many are predicting all three will be eliminated after the second legs. So Lippi decided to have a go at the nationalities of the players and state that the real England v Italy battle takes place at a higher level. “Chelsea, Manchester (United) and Arsenal, like Liverpool, don’t represent English football. But instead, like in other countries, that of globalised football where the owners, coaches and the majority of players are not English. The true clash between the two (English and Italian) is only between the national teams.” Full Story and Run Down of EPL Top Four