'I coached the best team in history' - Arrigo Sacchi claims his AC Milan trump Pep Guardiola's Barcelona

The former Rossoneri coach believes the all-conquering side of 1987 to 1991 were the greatest club team of all time, eclipsing the best the Blaugrana have been able to produce

23 Nov 2011 08:55:00

More On :  AC Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan vs Barcelona

EXCLUSIVE
By Carlo Garganese & Kris Voakes

Arrigo Sacchi has claimed that his AC Milan side were better than the current Barcelona ahead of the two clubs’ Champions League clash at San Siro tonight.

Speaking exclusively to Goal.com, Sacchi was bold in his assessment of his troops during his spell in charge at San Siro between 1987 and 1991, going as far as to say that they trumped Pep Guardiola's Barcelona who have won three straight La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues since 2008-09.

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"They are two great teams, but from two very different eras. Both were at the very top in terms of entertainment and results, and played a crucial role in the evolution of the sport. In 100 years, they were ahead of all others in terms of progression," claimed Sacchi.

"I didn't just coach the best defence in history, I coached the best team in history."

The 65-year-old returned to the Milanello hot-seat from 1996 to 1997, but had nowhere near the success of his first spell, during which he won two European Cups, one Scudetto and two Intercontinental Cups among a haul of eight trophies.

But he does believe that the current Rossoneri side will fall short in Europe this season, tipping the trophy to go back to Spain in May. 

"I think Barcelona or Real Madrid will win the Champions League."

Milan host Barcelona at San Siro in Group H this evening, with kick-off at 19.45GMT. The two sides have already qualified for the last 16 at the expense of BATE Borisov and Viktoria Plzen.

Read Carlo Garganese's feature on this topic: Arrigo Sacchi's AC Milan vs Pep Guardiola's Barcelona - the definitive analysis on which is the greatest club team of all time

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