Gennaro Gattuso is concerned that English football is taking over Europe – because of the hiuge amounts of money awash in the Premiership.
The Milan midfielder has the subject of interest from Manchester United in recent years, but he has never been tempted away from the Giuseppe Meazza.
“The key factor in the rise of English club football is they have more money than any other country in Europe,” Gattuso told The Sun.
“That means their clubs are able to attract the kind of star players who would never have considered a move to England only a few years ago.
“Premiership clubs own their own stadiums, have foreign owners and get incredible money from TV which is unequalled anywhere in the world.
“Add the fact that the commercial men at their top clubs do a really good job and I’m afraid that money will finance a long period of English domination in Europe.”
Gattuso was speaking ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League final against Liverpool in Athens and he admits he, like many of his team-mates, have still not got over their defeat in Istanbul at the hands of the Reds in 2005. Liverpool came back to win that game on penalties after trailing 3-0 at half-time.
“You need strength and courage to watch the 2005 final again and I refuse to see it in full,” he admitted.
“The European Cup was within Milan’s grasp that year but at the end of the final it was Liverpool who held the trophy.
“I will never forget what happened in Istanbul. Even if I win many more trophies, I will always remember that night.
“I was battered mentally and spiritually after Istanbul.
“I even decided to ask Milan for a transfer simply so I could turn the page mentally and forget the pain of that experience.
“However, I reflected on what happened and decided Liverpool had taught me the value of psychology in football.
“When you get to this level and when you get to a massive final at the end of a long season it’s not about talent any more but about attitude and fighting spirit.”
