Serie A has Lost its Sheen

Italy has always been one of the powerhouses of the world.Italian football has always been one of the most competitive professional leagues in the world.It has had many fascinating players such as Marco Van Basten,Sir John Charles,Zinedine Zidane and many more.

I am an ardent fan of Italian football. I do get frustrated when people rightfully say Italian football is not competitive. Agreed, the quality of Italian football has completely deteriorated. There are a large number of people who are more inclined to watching the English top division or the Spanish La Liga. They are clearly more competitive, entertaining and there has been a large number of world class players preferring to play in those leagues than in Italy.

What happened to the days when we were used to Italian teams find success at the Champions League? What happened to the days when there were lots of nominations for the Ballon D’Or trophy from the Seria A? What happened to the performance of the Italian national football team?

Shevchenko scores the decisive penalty past Buffon in the "All Italian" Champions League final against Juventus in Manchester, helping Milan win their 8th European Cup/Champions League.

1. Calciopoli

An infamous scandal which shook the entire footballing world. Juventus were sent to Serie-B, as a result of which many first team players left. Players such as Thuram, Cannavaro and many more left for clubs outside Serie-A. Juventus lost many world class players. The success of Italian football is clearly proportional to success of “The Black and White”.

Inter and A.C.Milan although being highly prestigious,were mainly comprised of players outside Italy. Juventus has contributed many number of players to the National team more than any other club in Serie-A. Juventus also had many recipients of the Ballon D’Or trophy.

With Juventus sent to Serie-B, the decline of Italian football started. Although, they were promoted the following season the situation has not improved. The national team had to pay the brunt of this. With Juventus not being able to produce quality players, the National team suffered. Even though, post calciopoli, Milan and Inter were able to win the Champions League, yet minimum number of teams made it past group stages. In the recent years, only 1 Italian team has made it to the quarter-finals. Competitive clubs from England and Germany could easily make it past the Italian teams. This was not the same case pre-Calciopoli.

2. Italian national football team

It is pretty clear that Inter and A.C.Milan have bred a lot of foreign players. Lack of quality from Juventus ensured the poor performance of the Italian national football team. Also, Italy have changed 3 national team coaches since the 2006 victorious “World Cup” campaign. On Lippi’s departure owing to illness, Donadoni was assigned as the national team coach. The national team players found it tough to undergo a transition in system.

In the Euro 2008 Italy were massacred by the Dutch and drew to Romania, only to beat a 10 man French team and ensure a last gasp progress to the quarterfinals. In the quarterfinals Spain sent Italy packing, beating them in penalties. Following a horrible Euro campaign, Lippi was re-assigned. There was another transition here. Italy went out in group stages of the Confederations Cup following a heavy loss to Brazil. Lippi’s mistake to leave behind Cassano and Rossi proved too much as Italy bowed out in the group stages of the World Cup.

This was by far, the worst Italian National team ever. The Italians found it tough to beat Paraguay and minnows such as New Zealand and Slovakia. The glorious era had ended. The era that had the likes of Gattuso, Totti, Del Piero, Cannavaro, Zambrotta had come to a stop. Cesare Prandelli was assigned as soon as the 2010 World Cup ended. Third Italian manager in 4 years is clearly not a good sign. Although, Prandelli’s era has been impressive though they are still ranked below England and Brazil.

One of the best World Cup winning teams ever,the Italian National team in World Cup 2006,Berlin.

3.One Non-Eu player rule

Every club was allowed to sign only one non-eu player. This rule will definitely improve the National team but would limit the entry of foreign talent. According to this rule, only 1 player can be signed from countries that are not under the EU system. Rules are not applicable to players already playing in Serie A. Nationality can be through-place of birth within EU, schooling in a EU country, lived at least 5 or 10 yrs in EU country or have parents/grandparents belonging to a EU country.

Lack of world class brilliance such as the South Americans entering into Serie-A has been reduced. This clearly implies, the number of viewers are reduced. Also, sales in jerseys are reduced. In some countries, getting your favorite players jersey who plays for an Italian club, is almost impossible. Now, the FIGC have increased the Non EU quota to two players.

4.Negligence to Europa League(UEFA Cup)

Italian clubs that take part in Europa League pay less heed to this competition. In the past few years elite Italian clubs such as Juventus, Milan have lost to clubs such as Fulham and Werder Bremen. On the other hand clubs such as Udinese, Lazio and Napoli struggle to make it past the group stages. Their performances in Serie-A are quite overwhelming. But, their lack of seriousness towards Europa League has left the Italian football in a mishap.

Fulham beat Juventus in the quarter finals of the inaugural edition of Europa League.

Italian Serie-A has rightfully lost one qualifying spot for Champions League to Bundeliga. It will take better and a more dedicated management of the FIGC to resolve the present problem prevailing. It will definitely take some time for the Italian football to get back to it’s best.