Ronaldinho writes off English elite
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-03-08 09:12

Barcelona striker Ronaldinho claims all four English clubs will be eliminated from the Champions League this week.

Barcelona forward Ronaldinho (L) protects the ball from Chelsea defender Paulo Ferreira during the Champions League match on February 23. Ronaldinho claims all four English clubs will be eliminated from the Champions League this week.[AFP]

His sights are set on Chelsea, and FIFA's World Player of the Year for 2004, feels the Premiership best will not be good enough against continental European opposition.

Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United all trail from the first legs of their last-16 ties although Liverpool lead Bayer Leverkusen 3-1.

Arsenal have to recover from 3-1 down to Bayern Munich and United go to AC Milan a goal behind.

Ronaldinho can see no way back for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.

"I'm sure that Barcelona will reach the quarter-finals," he told the Daily Mirror on Monday.

"My predictions would be Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, or AC Milan and maybe Inter to challenge. I don't think any of the English sides will do it."

Barca will look to protect their 2-1 lead from the first leg at the Nou Camp, in which they trailed until the game turned after Didier Drogba's dismissal.

Maxi Lopez and Samuel Eto'o fired the Spaniards to their narrow lead, although Ronaldinho felt the margin of victory could easily have been greater.

"Having seen Chelsea close up I am still 100 per cent confident that we will go through to the quarter-finals," he added.

"We have a better team than Chelsea and I'm certain that we will score at Stamford Bridge to take us through.

"Chelsea gave us a hard game in the Nou Camp but our performance deserved better than 2-1."

But the 23-year-old acknowledges Chelsea are a well-organised side.

"Chelsea's defence were extremely difficult to break down," he said. "Jose Mourinho knew how to keep it tight against us and against me in particular."

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