The 2011 UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour presented by Heineken was launched on Wednesday morning at the UEFA Headquarters in Nyon and marks the start of an exciting line up of events for football fans in Asia ahead of the Champions League Final in May.
The Trophy Tour was launched with an official handover of the famous trophy by UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour Ambassador Graeme Le Saux to Heineken Ambassador Marcel Desailly, ahead of its two month journey across Asia where it will pass through the cities of Penang, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Kon Kaen and Seoul before ending its journey in Hong Kong in mid-April.
Heineken and UEFA deserve great credit in rewarding the football fans in Asia for their passion and dedication by exposing them to the most iconic and decorated trophy in European Football. In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Marcel Desailly claims that he put his name to the Trophy Tour as he believes it is important to give something back to the fans who continue to give the Champions League it’s truly global and world wide appeal.
“It is a fantastic that UEFA and Heineken are looking to share with the people of Asia the magic of the Champions League. The competition and cup was so important for me, as a player, so I can only imagine how important it is for the supporters; therefore it is vital to give them this opportunity to see the European Cup”
Having played in three Champions League finals and a two time winner, we asked Marcel Desailly about the recent performances of two of his former clubs and what their chances are of Champions League success. Having been in Milan for the Tottenham clash at the San Siro, the night before, the Frenchman was still visibly disappointed at the performance of his former club and although he was quick to praise the display of the North Londoners – the wing play of Pienaar and Lennon in particular – he was just exasperated as to why Milan were so poor and had failed to show up on the night.
“Why I was pleased for Tottenham, I was very disappointed at the Milan display. They lacked movement, played far too narrow and created too much space which Lennon, Pienaar and Van der Vaart took full advantage of. I don’t know the reason why Milan performed like this but they missed the creativeness of Cassano out there. It was strange to see Milan like this, especially given the way they are playing in the league”
While Marcel was desperately disappointed with the Rossoneri, he also showed concern for Chelsea’s form this season, although he doesn’t believe it is time for panic stations at Stamford Bridge. Desailly believes that Carlo Ancelotti has been incredibly unfortunate with injuries this season, which has meant that the Blues have failed to establish the balanced shape that proved so successful last season; however Marcel refuted suggestions that Carlo could find himself under pressure over recent results as he proved last season with the domestic double that he is the right man for Chelsea football club.
“Chelsea are struggling at the moment as Carlo needs to find the right formula and shape to fit the players in. The team has had far too many injuries which has meant it’s difficult to find any consistency and when you lose your midfield like Lampard, Essien and Benayoun it is difficult as you have lost your protection of the defence and the link up with the attack. Yossi is a good player and Chelsea misses that playmaker in the team at the moment to feed the likes of Torres and Drogba, therefore the shape of the team isn’t right at present, but Carlo will get it right as he is tactically astute and he proved that last year with the double. Will they win the Champions League this season; I’m not sure as the set-up on the pitch isn’t right at present but Carlo Ancelotti will find the solution in time, he’s too good a manager not to.”
Click here to find out more about the role that Marcel Desailly is playing in the Heineken Champions League Trophy Tour.