Why the Premier League's physicality is taking its toll in the Champions League - and the glaring reason why English clubs are struggling against European rivals

---

English clubs faltering in Europe is hardly a new phenomenon. It was only a decade ago that the Premier League feared it might lose its fourth Champions League spot after no top-flight side reached the quarter-finals in two seasons out of three. Now, for the fourth year in a row, the Premier League will have two sides in the last eight.

Your browser does not support iframes.

And the old cliche that there are 'no easy games' in the Premier League has rarely been truer. On Wednesday night, Wirtz created the most chances in a single Champions League game for the club on record with eight against Galatasaray.

Source: Daily Mail March 20, 2026 02:06 UTC