European influence making English clubs successful

BERLIN, Apr 13 (Reuters) Continental Europe has been left to watch with envious eyes as English clubs have taken three of the four semi-final slots in the Champions League.

Yet there is really no need for Italy, Spain or Germany to have an inferiority complex -- at least if they believe the old adage that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

In order to wrest control of Europe's top competition, the three English teams, who are joined by AC Milan in the semi-finals, have taken on distinct European styles.

Manchester United are the flair team from Spain, Chelsea are the Italians, an expertly managed bunch of big stars, and Liverpool are a late-model German outfit, with one or two outstanding players and a bunch of honest professionals to play their hearts out.

Take Manchester United first. When United were beaten by Real Madrid in 2000 and 2003 manager Sir Alex Ferguson was almost wide-eyed in his admiration for the Spaniards.

''They mesmerise you at times with their controlled passing,'' Ferguson said of the 2003 vintage Real.

Ever since he has been trying to build a team on similar lines, one capable of destroying sides with quick, accurate passing and the odd flash of genius.

The breathtaking way United disposed of AS Roma in a 7-1 win on Tuesday suggested United have got the imitation down to a fine art.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney are Ferguson's galacticos, and the depth of quality in the squad is more extensive than Real ever had.

Don't forget either that the coaching at United is handled by Carlos Queiroz of Portugal. United now are a Latin team.

INSPIRATIONAL HERRERA You have to go back a bit further to find the inspiration for Chelsea and Liverpool.

Chelsea under the Portuguese Jose Mourinho resemble the great Inter Milan of Helenio Herrera, winners of successive European Cups in 1964 and '65.

As in those days of La Grande Inter, Chelsea keep a tight defensive grip in the centre of the field, with the full-backs attacking where possible. They are a physically imposing team of fine players, held together by the tactical and motivational skills of a manager with absolute self-belief.

Chelsea are not always easy on the eye but they certainly get the job done. The 2-1 win over Valencia, clinched with a last-gasp winner from Michael Essien, was a reward for supreme levels of fitness and concentration.

Liverpool are similar in some respects but without so many world class players, and with a mindset that makes them more comfortable as the underdogs.

Under Spanish coach Rafa Benitez they won a fifth European Cup in 2005 thanks to the inspirational Steven Gerrard and a willingness to keep fighting even in seemingly hopeless causes.

This Liverpool are rather like the Borussia Dortmund team that upset Juventus in the 1997 final. For Matthias Sammer and Karl-Heinz Riedle read Gerrard and Peter Crouch, who has six Champions League goals so far this season.

This is the third time in recent years that three teams from one country have reached the semi-finals, with Spanish clubs dominating in 2000 and the Italians in 2003.

England's achievement in matching the feat was greeted warmly by foreign media, with United's performance against Roma inevitably drawing the highest praise.

El Pais in Spain called the United performance ''a complete exhibition'', while Germany's Bild said Ferguson's side were again as powerful as they had been in 1999 when they beat Bayern Munich in that amazing final.

In France, the Premier League hegemony prompted L'Equipe to say, ''Europe is speaking English.'' English it may be, but the accent is foreign.

Reuters SAM RN1017