Völler expects English glory in Rome

Rudi Völler was part of the Olympique de Marseille side that won the inaugural 1992/93 UEFA Champions League, when England's representatives did not even make the group stage. Yet the former Germany striker says he expects the current Premier League dominance of the competition to continue this term – and for the foreseeable future.

Rome link
Now Bayer 04 Leverkusen's sporting director, Völler has a particular interest in the 2009 final as it is played at the Stadio Olimpico on 27 May. Not only did Völler spend five seasons with AS Roma; he was also in the West Germany team that lifted the FIFA World Cup at the Olimpico in 1990. The glory in Rome this time will be English, he predicts, with success for one from Manchester United FC, Liverpool FC, Arsenal FC or Chelsea FC to follow United's triumph in Moscow last May.

Financial advantage
"Manchester United basically symbolise the other three English clubs," Völler told uefa.com. "It's not just luck that all four clubs from England reached the quarter-finals. They have overtaken even the Italian league in financial terms. That's why it will be difficult in the future to beat these four. The best players in the world play there and the highest salaries are paid."

Barcelona chance
The Premier League provided three semi-finalists in both 2007 and 2008, but the year before FC Barcelona prevailed and Villarreal CF also reached the last four. That pair will attempt to halt the challenges of FC Bayern München and Arsenal in the quarter-finals on 7/8 and 14/15 April. "Barcelona are definitely among the title favourites along with Manchester United," Völler, 48, said. "They play the most attractive football in this Champions League. It's always nice to watch them attack and see their short-passing game, with Lionel Messi up front. So they are favourites and Villarreal are surprise quarter-finalists, but they are also dangerous opponents."

Bayern threat
However, Völler's successor as Germany coach and former strike partner, Jürgen Klinsmann, who matched his tally of 47 international goals, will hope his Bayern side can stop Barcelona. "Bayern have a good chance of getting far, just like the four English clubs and Barcelona," Völler said. "They have a good team, especially on the left with Franck Ribéry, Zé Roberto and Philipp Lahm. Then their attack with Luca Toni and Miroslav Klose is fantastic. So it's going to be difficult for the English teams to defeat Bayern Munich, that's for sure."

Liverpool selection
Unlike Bayern, FC Porto must negotiate an English club in the last eight – United. Völler believes a repeat of their 2004 victory over the Old Trafford outfit and eventual coronation is unlikely, stating: "I think it's already a huge success for Porto to have made it to the quarter-finals." And in picking an overall winner, the Völler verdict is: "Manchester United probably have the strongest team, but they already won last season, so that's why my favourites are Liverpool."

To watch this interview in the uefa.com Magazine, click here.