If Arsenal and Manchester City fans want some good news after their Champions League exit on Wednesday, read on.
Both Arsenal and City were sent to the Champions League after their respective exits against Bayern Munich and Real Madrid on Wednesday evening.
3
The Gunners lost to Bayern 3-2 on aggregate in Germany while defending champions City were beaten on penalties by Real.
It means all four English clubs who started the season in the competition are now eliminated before the semi-finals, with Manchester United and Newcastle crashing out in the group stage.
But it’s not all bad news and there are signs that an early exit from Europe could give England a boost ahead of this summer’s European Championship in Germany.
Indeed, since 1992, when the European Cup was renamed the Champions League, the country of a club having reached the final of the competition has never won the World Cup or the European Championship this summer- there.
The last time a club’s country reached the final enjoyed success was in 1988, when PSV won the European Cup.
A few weeks later, the Netherlands achieved success at Euro 1988 with their legendary team of stars, including Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard. while other icons including Ronald Koeman, Gerald Vanenburg and Berry van Aerle all played for PSV.
And it was the closest to a repeat since 2004, when Porto won the Champions League under Jose Mourinho.
Portugal would go on to reach the Euro 2004 final at home with a team packed with Porto stars including Ricardo Carvalho, Deco and Maniche.
Most read in the Champions League
3
3
But Greece pulled off one of the greatest underdog stories in football history as they cruised to a 1-0 victory to claim their first ever triumph in the competition.
Nevertheless, even during the Spanish domination from 2008 to 2012, when they won two European Championships and the World Cup, neither Real Madrid nor Barcelona could win the Champions League in those years, despite incredible teams made up of Spaniards like Andres Iniesta, Iker Casillas, Xavi and Sergio Ramos.
While it may just be superstition, some might suggest that the extra matches in Europe can wear players out before an international European competition.
And both Arsenal and City have several Englishmen who will be key for England in Germany this summer.
Gareth Southgate will rely heavily on Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and John Stones in the competition and if they are tired it could give the Three Lions a tough time.
So consider yourself lucky, Arsenal and City fans, as your early exits from the Champions League could have given England a chance to finally become European champions.
Sports
