The domination of the Premier League over Serie A in last week's Champions League fixtures came as no surprise to Gianfranco Zola.
The West Ham manager knows more than most about the two leagues, having made his name in Italian football before moving to Chelsea, where he quickly forged a reputation as one of British football's best-loved imports.
Zola, though, was unequivocal in anointing the English game as Europe's dominant force after watching Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United all triumph against Serie A teams to make the quarter-finals.
"It is a great moment for English football right now," said Zola, who welcomes West Brom to Upton Park tomorrow evening. "In this country you can see that the top teams are producing results, quality football and big performances – not only at home but abroad and internationally.
"The football played in this country is the most competitive in Europe so it's not a surprise to me that the English sides went through against the Italians. They [English clubs] prepare the teams and the player to a higher level and that is why they are cruising in Europe, not just against the Italian teams but Spanish also."
Zola's side currently have strong designs on entering continental competition next season, with seventh place likely to be enough to book a place in the Uefa Europa League (formerly the Uefa Cup). And the Hammers boss is also daring to dream of taking the club to the next level.
"Of course I hope one day to be there, competing with them in the Champions League," he added. "We will see; it depends how well I work, how well I do my job and how well the team does their job, but that is one of the targets we have."
Zola admits it has not always been plain sailing since taking over from Alan Curbishley at Upton Park, but he praised his squad for their positive attitude when faced with adversity earlier in the season.
He said: "I remember a time this season when we went to play Sunderland away and we were two points from the bottom. We won that day. But even in the difficult moments this team kept believing in what we are doing, stuck together and kept with our idea of how to play football. "
