EX SCOUSER RUNS HIS MOUTH

Last updated : 25 April 2003 By Editor

Speaking on BBC GMR, John Toshack said:

“Generally there is a big gap between the standards in Spain
and those in England. No Premiership side has reached the
semi-finals of either the Champions League or UEFA Cup which
just continues the trend of recent years. Before the Heysel
disaster in 1985, English teams won seven European Cups on
the trot, in the 18 years since Manchester United have won
it once and, apart from that, nothing. Maybe that's an
indication the Premiership is not as strong as some people
think.”

He also felt that Barthez had a poor match:

“For all the Luis Figos, Ronaldos, Beckhams and Giggs, it
was the difference between the two keepers which was most
marked for me. Iker Casillas has been absolutely fantastic
for Real and last night made some brilliant saves at just
the right time. In contrast, Fabien Barthez will look back
on the six goals he has conceded and think he should have
done better with at least three or four of them. That was
the big difference because United had their moments in the
tie as well.”