Now it's same 5-6 clubs fighting for medals whole decade and no club can break in without billionaire sugardaddy as owner...and same pattern in most of top countries. Probably Champions League was that evil force: in most of countries clubs, which were on top at the mid-90's remained there as CL money was huge boost for them. England and France were earlier known by their strong rotation of clubs in top and many different teams were able to win title.
Similar patterns are in RS too: on early seasons continental matches were important income for every club (and are still in real life too). Later that money has turned to microsopic as attendances of continental matches in first rounds are quite small, even if it's most important match for some club.