It was the league that the great Diego Maradona once played in. It is the league that Marco Van Basten, Frank Rijkaard and Ruud Gullit once featured in. It is also the league where Roberto Baggio developed his legendary status. However, the Italian Serie A has suffered from a major downfall over the past few years.
Two days ago, AS Roma were trashed 3-0 at Ukraine by Shakhtar, thus knocking the Italian club out of the Champions League by an aggregate score of 6-2. Perhaps Vincenzo Montella's lack of experience in understandable. But what happened at White Hart Lane last night completely justified the decline in Italian Football.
Frankly saying, Italian Football has been a catastrophe for the past few years. While Serie A is very far from extinction- with Inter Milan doing well in Europe, but it does have a range of difficulties.
The 'Money' Factor And How It Affects The Italian Football
Football, whether you love it or loathe it, is now a huge global business. Money is always a huge part of football clubs especially in Europe where Billionaire owners are cementing their status with football clubs.
But financial problems have been a major cause for concern in the Italian league over the past few years. Teams have had lesser amount of cash to spend and as a result, top class players are no longer attracted by the prospect offered by the Serie A.
When it comes to finance, the Italian League is definitely behind the English Premier League and the Spanish La Liga. While more recently, the German Bundesliga has also overtaken the Italian League- judging by UEFA's decision to take away a Champions League spot from Italy and grant it to the Bundesliga.
Stadium-Related Problems
One major factor to this financial difficulties has to be the ownership of the stadium. We often discuss about how gate receipts have contributed to clubs in England and Spain. However, Italian clubs do not own their respective stadiums- which therefore doesn't bring them any earnings or profits.
And when it comes to average attendance, the whole situation makes it even more embarrassing for Italian League. In 2009-2010 Bundesliga had an average attendance of about 42,000 against the 24,000 in Serie A and 34,000 in Premier League. What does this piece of statistics justify? In fact, it just explains that in the Bundesliga and Premier League, they have modern, comfortable stadia while in Italy they are old and uncomfortable.
Sponsorships and Investors-Related Issues
The Calciopoli match-fixing issues has had a major impact when it comes to attracting potential suitors to invest in the league. Ever since the clubs were charged and punished in 2006, the Serie A has lost its sense of attractiveness.
Big investors and wealthy businessmen are flocking to invest in the English Premier League and Spanish La Liga with the global audience focusing on these two leagues and, thus, TV rights are much more lucrative for them than Italian ones.
We keep on discussing about the big giants in Serie A. Go down into the lower leagues of Italy and the circumstances are much more serious and distraught over there. Every year, there is at least ONE Serie B clubs that goes down the drain because of debts and financial problems. Not to mention the higher frequency of that problem in the LegaPro (previously known as the Serie C).
Let's make a simple comparison. Last year, the Serie B was sponsored by Bwin for 2.2 million Euros when the English Football League was pumped in with £21 millions for 3 years. What a major difference and this situation has had a big say on the quality and reputation of the Serie B clubs.
Another huge problem in Italy is the popularity of 'fake kits'. Considering that Italian clubs do not even earn from the stadiums tickets, the shirt sales and kit sales has to be a major source of income for them. However that will never be the case when there’s a big business for unofficial kits that give no money to clubs and it is not fought enough by the Police
Over-Dependent On Old Legs And Lack Of Young Talents
This aspect has been a huge part of Italian football over the past few years- even more significant with the bigger clubs like Milan and Juventus.
We are all aware of the downfall of Italian football in recent years but what do the clubs feel about it? All they do is lament about refereeing decisions and keep on pointing to the success of Inter Milan saying they are being favored by referees. These are is the scenario in Italy. While they do admit that they have stopped getting world class talent into the league, the problem remains untouched.
While there are talents in the form of Fabio Quagliarella and Giuseppe Rossi, the likes of Antonio Cassano and Mario Balotelli have only proved that they lack discipline. Ladies and Gentlemen, one of Italian Football's strong aspect used to be defenders. But the defensive record of Juventus- despite having two of Italy's first choice defenders, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini says it all.
While Milan keep on depending on Pirlo, Gattuso and Nesta; Jack Wilshere has been a revelation for Arsenal, Pedro has been a key player for Barcelona, Chicharito has been magnificent for Manchester United and Muller keeps on shining for Bayern Munich.
Milan And Roma Knocked Out: Will Inter Follow Suit?
While the Champions League has been a disappointment for AC Milan and AS Roma this season, only one Italian team is left in the competition. Inter Milan, who won the competition under Jose Mourinho last season have been inconsistent this season.
However, with two Italian clubs out already, Inter Milan will definitely be under pressure to perform- with all Italian hopes resting on their shoulders. Making the task a mountain to climb is the fact that Inter would have to shine away from home when they take on Bayern Munich.
Astonishingly, Inter lost the first leg in dramatic fashion after Mario Gomez snatched that crucial away goal that won the game for the German side. It was a blow to Inter- who pretty much equalled Bayern Munich's efforts on that night, but lady luck was on the Bavarian side.
Therefore, all this crisis makes the whole build up to the Bayern-Inter game even more intense. The stakes are high and if Inter fail to win, Bundesliga will earn justification for the extra slot of next season's Champions League.
The stage has been set. Only Inter Milan and Leonardo matter as the whole Italy prepares for a very important clash that could save them blushes or it could even allow Bundesliga to overtake them as a more palatable medium of football entertainment.