Real and Milan, who had shown only lukewarm interest when UEFA unveiled their response to Media Partners' Super League plans earlier this month in Lisbon, said they intend to work with European soccer's governing body in developing the new 32 team format.
The 12 clubs, most of which have been targeted by Milan-based sports marketing group Media Partners to form a Super League, had requested the meeting with UEFA in order to express their ideas and concerns.
They had met with UEFA on October 14 when they demanded more control over the organisation of the Champions' League and insisted on having more input in financial matters.
And what had appeared to be a large divide between UEFA and the clubs was quickly bridged, both sides leaving Friday's three-hour meeting very much on the same page.
"It is surprising the footwork that has been done by UEFA," said Real Madrid president Lorenzo Sanz. "They met our concerns to a large degree.
"Not just Real Madrid's concerns but all clubs the same way."
Most clubs expressed the same sentiments, Bayern Munich's vice-president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge summing the meeting as, "positive" while his AC Milan counterpart Adriano Galliani, said he was, "quite impressed."
"They outlined certain projects we can support and addressed concerns about things we expressed," added Galliani.
Ajax Amsterdam, Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan, Juventus, Liverpool, Manchester United, Olympique Marseille, Porto and Real Madrid were also represented at the meeting.
Obtaining the support of the leading clubs that would form the nucleus of any proposed Super League is a major victory for UEFA.
The clubs and UEFA refused to reveal details or specifics about what was discussed, although UEFA general secretary Gerhard Aigner did admit to presenting each team with a computer programme outlining income projections.
UEFA have still to release details of the financial arrangements, while Media Partners have talked about a figure of $1.2 billion.
UEFA president Lennart Johansson was in defiant mood. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the annual congress of the German Soccer Federation (DFB) in Wiesbaden, he said: "UEFA and the world governing body will never accept a private league.
"I am confident that UEFA's plans to reform European club competitions will receive wide support."
Both side acknowledged there are still several areas that require further discussion but that they are willing to compromise in order to come to an agreement.
"We are prepared to do without a number of benefits to stay with UEFA and benefit football," said AC Milan vice-president, Galliani. "There is a mutual will to come to an agreement.
"We are prepared to give up a few things and UEFA is prepared to give up a few things to reach a compromise for the good of football."
"At the moment we have no contact with Media Partners, that project lies dormant and we are working with UEFA."
Media Partners, however, says it has talked to all 18 teams it has approached about joining its proposed Super League and will hold individual meetings with each club within the next week.
In a press release Media Partners said it welcomed UEFA's acknowledgement and acceptance of the Super League concept.
"At last UEFA has looked the clubs in the face and shown that it is prepared to negotiate with them," said Media Partners' president Rodolfo Hecht. "We are happy if UEFA has finally recognised the legitimacy of the club's position.
"We will continue to work closely with the clubs in the coming weeks and months to ensure that UEFA's worlds are turned into deeds and that the proper reform of European competitions takes place."
Reuters
