article_snippet: So while Champions League continues to grow ever-richer, with the astonishing £5.1bn television deal signed earlier this year ensuring record returns for years to come, money doesn't necessarily guarantee success across the board in Europe.
article_snippet: There isn't one single reason to explain this slump in Champions League performance, but a growing school of thought is that the lack of a winter break is beginning to hold our teams back.
article_snippet: English football gives other leagues an advantage.
article_snippet: It is a time that features vital matches in the Premier League as the title race takes shape, while the leading clubs are increasingly keen to win the FA Cup and the Premier League Cup, which might at one time have warranted weakened teams.
article_snippet: For both London clubs, the fixtures continued to come thick and fast in the subsequent six weeks before both London clubs European ties.
article_snippet: This points perhaps to a growing pace and intensity of all domestic games and perhaps a strategic naivety in approaching two-legged ties.
article_snippet: In the Premier League, that works, but in Europe the English teams are too talented, too good in possession.'
article_snippet: There is no definitive answer or quick fix but a breather in English football's ruthless, relentless schedule is an increasingly popular option to give our teams a fighting chance in Europe.
highlights_snippet: Champions League clubs' performance has declined in last few seasons .
  
highlights_snippet: All participants have struggled with intense and relentless fixture list .