Race for the Champions League – Fiorentina or Milan?

By: Rob | May 1st, 2008

Will Adrian Mutu return to the CL with La Viola? Its a strange set of semi-finals in the Champions League, when it features no clubs from Serie A. Already in Italy clubs are looking towards next season’s tournament with relish. Inter, Roma and Juventus have all secured spots, but who will get the forth? Currently Fiorentina lead Milan by two points. Antonio Labbate is arguing over at the C4 website, that it would benifit Italian football to have Milan in the tournament. I’m not so sure.

His argument basically works around the idea that Milan are the only team left in Italy that are capable of winning it, and therefore are Italy’s best hope at a bit of pride, and the best hope for a non-all-English final this time next year. Basically he expects Inter to flatter to decieve (as always), Juve to underachieve in Europe again, and Roma to sell Mancini so not have the squad depth they need. Milan he feels, could wheel and deal thier ay to the CL trophy next may.

The trouble is, any of the other sides could make the right buys and win it as well. If Roma were to get bought out it would undoubtedly change everything (I appriciate its all up in the air at the moment), Juve are looking to make shrewd signings without spending silly money, and if Inter paid attention to Figo and bought in Mourinho, they could be a force.

He also completely dismisses Fiorentina’s chances in next years CL as well. Ignoring the fact that the CL would provide a bit of money and the attraction of new players – as well as the ability to keep the likes of Adrian Mutu and Sebastian Frey – he seems to be underestimating how well a percieved ‘little side’ can do with a great coach (something which Fiorentina really do have, probably the best in Italy) Zico led a supercharged Fenerbahce to the Quater-Final’s this year (and were unlucky against Chelsea), with Sevilla following thier UEFA cup victory with a good run as well. And who can forget Jose Mourinho guiding Porto to victory a few years ago?

I’m not saying Fiorentina would win it, and I’m not saying that a Champions League without Milan wouldn’t be a little odd, but I think the idea that Milan are Italy’s only hope is massively misplaced. The Milan squad needs a big overhaul – the ageing players need to be begining to be lost, and the club building toward a future.

Fiorentina have also been better in Serie A this season. Whereas Milan have stuttered at home, especially in the first part of the season, Fiorentina have consistantly been among the top 4. Some wondered how they would cope without Luca Toni (who is going to make a massive splash in next years CL judging by his Bayern form), but they’ve been doing just fine. When he’s not injured Adrian Mutu has been quietly reminding everyone why he is a great forward.

I quite like both Fiorentina and Milan if truth be told. When I was growing up in the 1990s, Milan were the best side in Italy, so I always will have a sort of admiration for them. Fiorentina I have an inexplicable soft spot for, I’ve just liked alot of the players they’ve produced over the years.

The other thing, that is overlooked in the article, is that if Milan make the CL again, there is a danger of a ‘Big Four’ type gap opening in Serie A as it has in the Prem. I don’t think this would be good for Italian football to be honest – and its always nice to see a smaller side break the monopoly.

Who would you rather see make it? Fiorentina, or Milan? I think I’d like to see Fiore make it. Mix things up, keep them interesting. Comments are welcome as always.