The glory days when Serie A golf equipment have been the dominant power in European soccer have sadly turn out to be nothing greater than a distant reminiscence.
have been the final Italian group to win the Champions League in 2009/10 and that depressing streak is unlikely to finish this season.
Commercial
Whereas Inter are rated as 28/1 photographs on to carry the trophy in Could, you’ll be hard-pressed to imagine they may get the job finished.
Inter are on the right track attain the last-16, the place they might be joined Atalanta, Juventus and Napoli. Serie A groups are additionally in rivalry to progress in UEFA’s second and third tier competitions.
Roma and Bologna are battling to make it by means of within the Europa League, whereas Fiorentina have reached the knockout spherical play-offs within the Europa Convention League.
Atalanta triumphed within the Europa League in 2023/24, whereas Roma have been the winners of the inaugural version of the Europa Convention League two years earlier.
Commercial
Nonetheless, for a rustic rated as one of many huge hitters in world soccer, success in these competitions does little to justify that lofty standing.
With that in thoughts, learn on as we assess why Serie A groups have fallen behind their rivals in Europe and the way they will rewrite the narrative.
Debunking the ‘wealth’ argument
MUNICH, GERMANY – MAY 31: Marquinhos of Paris Saint-Germain lifts the UEFA Champions League trophy after his group’s victory, to safe Paris Saint-Germain’s first ever UEFA Champions League title within the membership’s historical past and a document UEFA Champions League Remaining successful scoreline of 5-0, following the UEFA Champions League Remaining 2025 between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Internazionale Milano at Munich Soccer Enviornment on Could 31, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Picture by Justin Setterfield/Getty Photos)
Commercial
Many individuals imagine that funds have contributed to the failure of Serie A groups in Europe, however that argument is flawed.
When assessing the market worth of the gamers in every group within the prime 5 European leagues, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich prime the standings by way of trophies received.
Nonetheless, anybody who thinks that is mistaken, as they’ve every claimed only one Champions League title within the final ten years.
That time is additional hammered dwelling within the Premier League, the place the 20 groups have collectively assembled squads value €12.57bn.
This has not delivered dominance in Europe, with English groups successful simply eight of the 24 trophies up for grabs throughout the three competitions within the final ten seasons.
Commercial
Serie A golf equipment collectively have the third-highest market valuation of the ‘Massive 5’ leagues, with little to separate them from their counterparts in La Liga.
Nonetheless, whereas Spanish groups have collected ten European trophies throughout that timeframe, Atalanta and Roma are the one Italian golf equipment to say continental silverware in the identical span.
Serie A has been left behind within the tactical stakes
MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 29: Coach Jose Mourinho and Wesley Sneijder of Inter FC throughout the Serie A match between AC Milan and Inter Milan at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on August 29, 2009 in Milan, Italy. (Picture by Claudio Villa/Getty Photos)
Commercial
Milan’s 4-0 victory over Barcelona within the 1993/94 Champions League remaining hammered dwelling the assumption that Serie A golf equipment have been gentle years forward of their rivals tactically.
Techniques once more performed a vital position in in 2009/10, with supervisor Jose Mourinho delivering considered one of his famed defensive masterclasses.
Nonetheless, the previous boss recognised that the tactical panorama was shifting, and he left Italian soccer behind to affix Actual Madrid.
Serie A has subsequently fallen behind the opposite prime European leagues by way of ways, dedication, initiative and athleticism. The latter factor is especially pertinent.
Commercial
Statistics from a number of seasons in the past highlighted that the worst group within the Bundesliga ran greater than the highest groups in Serie A. The tempo of play was additionally a lot slower.
This lack of dynamism has continued, as evidenced by the success of gamers from different leagues who’ve turn out to be standout performers in Serie A.
As an illustration, Romelu Lukaku flopped at Manchester United, however swept all earlier than him in Serie A. The league is plagued by different comparable examples.
Italian groups should crank up the depth
Given the passionate nature of Italian individuals, it appears unthinkable {that a} lack of depth has turn out to be commonplace throughout Serie A.
Commercial
This has had a knock-on impact on the nationwide group, who’ve did not qualify for the final two World Cups and are at risk of lacking out on the 2026 version.
Fixing the issue requires a shift again to a time when Italian groups weren’t solely technically proficient but in addition intense from a defensive perspective.
La Liga giants Atletico Madrid provide Serie A golf equipment a template they might implement which might improve their probabilities of competing once more in Europe.
Supervisor Diego Simeone repeatedly builds groups that are larger than the sum of its elements. They provide completely nothing away at no cost.
Serie A golf equipment have one way or the other misplaced that mentality, except for the rare events the place it reappears earlier than vanishing with out a hint once more.
Italian soccer must shake off its penchant for gradual play by . The remainder of Europe has moved on, and Serie A groups should act, or the hole will widen additional.