After such a disappointing World Cup, the revered voices of Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger can say even more forcefully that the Champions League is the best football competition on the planet.
In pure ability terms, the statement is almost certainly true.
The Champions League cannot match the sheer intensity of country versus country combat but the brilliance is beyond question.
In any World Cup year, a favourite game is naming the great players who will not be there.
The same quiz about the Champions League would offer a much reduced choice.
Aside from Diego Forlan and the stars who remain with Liverpool, who is there? And as for the managers.
England's quintet is slightly different this time around.
Tottenham claimed the coveted spot, not just by jumping above Liverpool but cash-rich Manchester City as well.
A fresh face at the table, with the experience of Harry Redknapp to guide them along, Spurs' voyage will be fascinating.
The complex qualifying procedure UEFA president Michel Platini has put in place means Tottenham must negotiate a tricky two-legged tie in mid-August just to reach the promised land of that last 32.
Redknapp will not need reminding the last English 'non-big four' contender to participate, Everton, failed in their quest.
A few fingernails might be shredded yet before Tottenham claim their prize, and even then, the balance of European glory nights and domestic fare is never easy, as both Ferguson and Wenger can testify.
Indeed, Manchester United and Arsenal represented the summit of England's achievements last term, both bowing out at the quarter-finals.
Ferguson will forever rail at the injustice of Rafael's sending off against Bayern Munich at Old Trafford, when his side held a winning position.
In truth, more telling was the concession of a soft goal to Ivica Olic just before half-time, after United had raced into a three-goal lead on the night with probably their best performance of the entire season, because it left Ferguson's men vulnerable to the Arjen Robben wonder-strike that eventually killed them.
For Wenger, watching Barcelona put Arsenal in their place must have been a sobering experience.
The Frenchman refuses to modify a philosophy that seems to demand a more pure approach to the passing game than the time when the Gunners were able to win titles.
To then discover over two one-sided encounters - whatever the score of the first one - that someone else can do it better, left him with much to ponder over the summer.
Chelsea did not get as far, although at least they had the consolation of losing to the eventual winners, Inter Milan, in the last 16.
The competition that has proved so elusive for Roman Abramovich so far, remains a possibility, and whisper it quietly at the Emirates and Old Trafford, more so than the other English challengers, but Carlo Ancelotti's men still have much to do.
Ancelotti does have the experience of winning it, with AC Milan against Liverpool in 2007, two years after that famous defeat in Istanbul, but then so did Jose Mourinho when he arrived at Stamford Bridge.
To pinch a racing term, the Blues will need some luck in running because there are a couple who look better.
Barcelona for a start. The belief that was shaken by a masterful tactical performance from Mourinho's Inter in the semi-final will have been restored by Spain's World Cup triumph, which Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol were all central figures in.
Bayern, who ended up as beaten finalists 12 months ago, boast four central figures from Germany's run to the World Cup semi-finals, including Golden Boot winner Thomas Muller, plus Robben, Mark van Bommel and Franck Ribery. They are a major threat too.
After ending a 45-year European Cup drought, Inter must be respected. There have been changes at the San Siro though, which includes the arrival of Rafael Benitez.
Benfica, Marseille - who were subsequently stripped of the honour - and AC Milan are other former winners who made it straight through to the group stage, along with FC Twente, thanks to the skills of now-departed Steve McClaren.
But, once again, Mourinho brings the stardust, for the second time leaving a team immediately after taking them to the greatest glory.
Last time, it was for Chelsea. On this occasion, it is nine-times winners Real Madrid.
Who would bet against one of the world's most charismatic coaches and most charismatic players in Cristiano Ronaldo, being united in glory at Wembley Stadium on May 28 next year.
The Champions League cannot match the sheer intensity of country versus country combat but the brilliance is beyond question.
In any World Cup year, a favourite game is naming the great players who will not be there.
The same quiz about the Champions League would offer a much reduced choice.
Aside from Diego Forlan and the stars who remain with Liverpool, who is there? And as for the managers.
England's quintet is slightly different this time around.
Tottenham claimed the coveted spot, not just by jumping above Liverpool but cash-rich Manchester City as well.
A fresh face at the table, with the experience of Harry Redknapp to guide them along, Spurs' voyage will be fascinating.
The complex qualifying procedure UEFA president Michel Platini has put in place means Tottenham must negotiate a tricky two-legged tie in mid-August just to reach the promised land of that last 32.
Redknapp will not need reminding the last English 'non-big four' contender to participate, Everton, failed in their quest.
A few fingernails might be shredded yet before Tottenham claim their prize, and even then, the balance of European glory nights and domestic fare is never easy, as both Ferguson and Wenger can testify.
Indeed, Manchester United and Arsenal represented the summit of England's achievements last term, both bowing out at the quarter-finals.
Ferguson will forever rail at the injustice of Rafael's sending off against Bayern Munich at Old Trafford, when his side held a winning position.
In truth, more telling was the concession of a soft goal to Ivica Olic just before half-time, after United had raced into a three-goal lead on the night with probably their best performance of the entire season, because it left Ferguson's men vulnerable to the Arjen Robben wonder-strike that eventually killed them.
For Wenger, watching Barcelona put Arsenal in their place must have been a sobering experience.
The Frenchman refuses to modify a philosophy that seems to demand a more pure approach to the passing game than the time when the Gunners were able to win titles.
To then discover over two one-sided encounters - whatever the score of the first one - that someone else can do it better, left him with much to ponder over the summer.
Chelsea did not get as far, although at least they had the consolation of losing to the eventual winners, Inter Milan, in the last 16.
The competition that has proved so elusive for Roman Abramovich so far, remains a possibility, and whisper it quietly at the Emirates and Old Trafford, more so than the other English challengers, but Carlo Ancelotti's men still have much to do.
Ancelotti does have the experience of winning it, with AC Milan against Liverpool in 2007, two years after that famous defeat in Istanbul, but then so did Jose Mourinho when he arrived at Stamford Bridge.
To pinch a racing term, the Blues will need some luck in running because there are a couple who look better.
Barcelona for a start. The belief that was shaken by a masterful tactical performance from Mourinho's Inter in the semi-final will have been restored by Spain's World Cup triumph, which Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol were all central figures in.
Bayern, who ended up as beaten finalists 12 months ago, boast four central figures from Germany's run to the World Cup semi-finals, including Golden Boot winner Thomas Muller, plus Robben, Mark van Bommel and Franck Ribery. They are a major threat too.
After ending a 45-year European Cup drought, Inter must be respected. There have been changes at the San Siro though, which includes the arrival of Rafael Benitez.
Benfica, Marseille - who were subsequently stripped of the honour - and AC Milan are other former winners who made it straight through to the group stage, along with FC Twente, thanks to the skills of now-departed Steve McClaren.
But, once again, Mourinho brings the stardust, for the second time leaving a team immediately after taking them to the greatest glory.
Last time, it was for Chelsea. On this occasion, it is nine-times winners Real Madrid.
Who would bet against one of the world's most charismatic coaches and most charismatic players in Cristiano Ronaldo, being united in glory at Wembley Stadium on May 28 next year.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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