Is Serie A Becoming Europe's Most Thrilling League Again?
Serie A, once the pinnacle of European football in the 1990s, faced a sharp decline over recent decades. But signs suggest that Italian football is finding its footing again. Just three weeks ago, the outlook looked bleak after all four Serie A teams lost on the same Champions League matchday for the first time ever. This was only months after Italy’s national team missed out on their third consecutive World Cup.
Some losses were close calls, like Roma’s strong performance against Real Madrid except for the last ten minutes, and Como’s inexperience in the competition. Still, it was an ugly moment for a country that hasn’t produced a European Cup winner in 16 years.
Giovanni Malago, the FIGC’s special administrator, said these defeats don’t fairly represent Italian football. He seems to be proving right, as Roma, Como, Inter, and Napoli all bounced back with wins in their next Champions League games.
Outdated Stadiums and Infrastructure Challenges
The biggest hurdle for Italian football remains the lack of cooperation among key parties, each driven by their own interests. Alessandro Del Piero summed it up bluntly: everyone focuses on "saving their own asses." Yet, there’s agreement on one point – most Serie A stadiums are far from ready for top-tier events.
Napoli’s club president Aurelio De Laurentiis has called their home ground a "toilet" because it has not been properly updated since the 1990 World Cup. Recent announcements for Euro 2032 venues revealed only Juventus’ Allianz Stadium meets current standards, with others needing significant redevelopment or new construction.
Italy's bureaucracy slows progress, but UEFA president Aleksandar Ceferin’s threat to remove Euro 2032 hosting rights has pushed things forward. Projects are underway: Fiorentina’s Artemio Franchi stadium is being revamped, Bologna received approval for a new stadium, and AC Milan and Inter unveiled plans for the Generali Stadium, expected by 2031.
Luigi De Siervo, Serie A CEO, explained that Italy has Europe’s oldest stadiums averaging over 70 years and clubs still depend heavily on TV income. New stadiums will eventually boost commercial revenue, though this will take six or seven years to fully impact the league’s finances.
More Goals and a Shift Towards Attacking Football
While financial gaps with leagues like the Premier League remain, some Italian teams show it’s about smart spending rather than big budgets. Inter’s recent Champions League success came through savvy signings, and Como stunned Manchester United with intelligent recruitment under Cesc Fabregas. Like Atalanta before them, they prove young or undervalued players combined with offensive tactics can make waves.
Frosinone, newly promoted and expected to struggle, sit sixth in Serie A with an attacking style that brought them 24 goals in just 10 games. The current season sees several Italian sides among Europe’s top scorers:
- Frosinone: 24 goals
- Lazio: 24 goals
- Inter: 26 goals
- Roma: 28 goals
Former Italy international Daniele Adani credits this shift to a move away from defensive play. He suggests Massimiliano Allegri’s traditional style is fading as Serie A embraces more exciting football. Matches already average three goals per game, with nine games featuring six or more goals so far.
The recent Derby della Madonnina saw AC Milan beat Inter dramatically, illustrating the unpredictability and competitiveness of the league now. The top four teams are separated by only five points, hinting at a captivating season ahead.
A New Generation of Talents Emerging
Despite Serie A’s reputation as a haven for older stars—highlighted by Kevin De Bruyne and Luka Modric joining Naples and Milan—the league is producing exciting young talent. Players like Nico Paz, Pio Esposito, Kerim Alajbegovic, Franco Mastantuono, and Antonio Raimondo have made notable impacts this season.
Roberto Mancini is also scouting young Italians such as Alphadjo Cisse and Simone Lantini to rebuild the national team. Alessandro Del Piero argues the problem isn’t talent but coaching, saying young players are often taught only one way, limiting creativity.
“We tell youngsters too much what to do, killing their creativity,” Del Piero told Sky Calcio Unplugged. “They get good at following instructions, but when outside the system, mistakes get them labeled poor players.”
Encouragingly, more Serie A coaches seem willing to take risks with playing styles and youth selections. More British players like Scott McTominay are moving to Italy, showing the league’s appeal beyond just lifestyle.
Serie A’s Newfound Excitement and Integrity
At present, Serie A looks more thrilling than the Premier League and carries greater integrity. Gary Neville criticized the English game for being tarnished by Manchester City's dominance, while Italian football appears ready to clean up its image.
There’s still plenty to fix, including internal conflicts and management issues, meaning restoring Italy’s football reputation might take years—perhaps as long as the stadium upgrades. Still, the hope is that by the time these new venues open, Serie A will have teams, players, and coaches worthy of filling them.
