Get the FREE Mirror Football newsletter by email with the day's key headlines and transfer news Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Andrea Pirlo says the recent plight of Premier League clubs in the Champions League won't last.

The Italian legend, 36, could be about to play his final game in the big time for Juventus against Lionel Messi’s Barcelona in the Champions League final in Berlin this Saturday.

And he believes the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City will soon end their barren run - because they play in the best league of all.

Pirlo, whose autobiography is called “I think, therefore I play”, speaks of ex-United midfielder Paul Pogba and Sir Alex Ferguson, the “worst” feeling of his life - losing to Liverpool in Istanbul in 2005 - and how to stop Messi on Saturday.

But first, English form in Europe.

This season, Man City, Arsenal and Chelsea tumbled at the last 16 stage while Liverpool did not make it out of their group.

The previous year, Chelsea reached the last four and United the last eight. And the 2012-13 campaign was a disaster, with two clubs eliminated in the group stage and two in the last 16.

The heady days of Chelsea beating Man United in the all-English final of 2008 and Premier League head-to-heads in the semis are long gone.

(Image: Getty)

English clubs have only won the top European crown once in seven seasons, when Chelsea beat Bayern Munich three years ago, and twice in 10.

International quality and thrills in the domestic league clearly do not translate to winning on the continent.

One reason is that the intensity of the Premier League allows little respite, with a large number of games and several sides challenging for the title.

Juve skipper Pirlo, seeking to win the European Cup for a third time, said: “You usually find that dominance in Europe moves in cycles. Since I have been playing I have seen all major leagues in Europe dominate the Champions League.

“The fact that English teams didn’t do well this year means nothing. The top English teams will be as likely as any other team to win it next year.

“The Premier League might not have the best team in Europe at the moment, but I still think it is the best league.

"In terms of competitiveness and having five or six teams that are chasing for the Champions League, I don’t think anybody else has that.”

One Premier League mystery Pirlo witnessed first hand is Ferguson failing to keep his team-mate Pogba at United.

(Image: Getty)

Pogba moved to Juve due to limited opportunities at Old Trafford and is now one of football’s hottest properties.

Pirlo added: “If he carries on the way he is, then he will become the greatest midfield player in Europe - and at his age he could have that title for a long time.

“I don’t understand why Manchester United let him go. If you look at their midfield now they could really use a player like him. It might have been a personal issue for Alex Ferguson, because it is clearly nothing to do with ability.

“He (Pogba) has never really talked about the situation, but whatever the reasons he left, it has been great news for Juventus.”

One United great Pirlo does admire is Paul Scholes:

“I have been so fortunate to have played with so many incredible players throughout my career, but if I could pick one that I never got the chance to play with, it would be Paul Scholes.

“One of the all-time greats. A genius on the field, but private - no circus around him off it. I have a lot of respect for him.”

And what of that famous Champions League night a decade ago when Pirlo’s AC Milan side succumbed to Liverpool's incredible comeback in Istanbul?

(Image: Action Images)

Pirlo, who missed a penalty in the decisive shoot-out, said: “I know what it is like to win a Champions League, but I also know what it is like to lose one.

"The loss in Istanbul against Liverpool is not just one of the worst feelings in my career, but in my life.

“I will think about that before Saturday, I will use that feeling as inspiration - because I never want to feel like that after a game again.”

Liverpool v Milan in 2005: