The Abysmal State of Italian Football

20 years since the last knockout game in a World Cup, 3 consecutive tournaments missed, and nothing but the plain and simple point: Italian football is in a precarious state.

One of the giants of football has allowed the game to evolve tactically, technically, scientifically, economically and financially, while remaining relatively stagnant itself. After another failure to qualify, many thoughts and opinions have circulated, including those about to follow. Many come from individuals with strong experience and knowledge, others without a clear understanding. However, the central point remains the same — Italian football, once successful and dominant, is now in a precarious position.

To better understand this, I have taken a systematic, structured approach, looking at different disciplines to assess the current state of Italian football, the causes of this, and what needs to be addressed, and potentially how.

Football: Technical and Tactical

Looking at the game itself, football has evolved into one that values athleticism and intensity more than ever before. Modern football demands adaptable, press-resistant, aggressive and creative players, especially in systems that rely on quick, technical and skillful wide players who can create chances, win 1v1 duels and stretch the play.

Italian football has been, and arguably still is, played at a slower tempo, with a more defensive and structured focus, rather than the aggressive, high-tempo football that takes advantage of both attacking and defensive transitions. However, beyond just tactics, there is a deeper issue. Talent is arguably present and continues to be seen by how Italy’s youth teams have recently:

• reached the semi-finals of multiple U-20 World Cups

• finished 3rd in the 2025 U-17 World Cup

• won the 2024 U-17 Euros

• won the 2023 U-19 Euros

  
  

However, when looking at the U-21 level and the transition into senior football, those successes begin to fade. Talent exists, opportunities? Not so much.

Serie A reflects this clearly based on CIES Football Observatory data:

• one of the highest rates of foreign players across Europe (~62%)

• only around 2% of minutes are given to Italian players under 21 (among the lowest in Europe)

• one of the oldest average squad ages among the top five leagues

So, whether there is a lack of talent present, or not, what is clear is that the system is failing at converting and developing talent into elite professional footballers. There is a stronger focus on winning, tactics, and experience, rather than developing elite footballers.

Sports Science and Performance

Modern football has also evolved significantly from a scientific and performance perspective. While I am no expert in sports science it is clear that modern performance systems now integrate:

• data-driven training and load-management methods

• cognitive and decision-making training

• optimized, technologically driven injury prevention and recovery systems

  
  

While Italy continues to produce technically strong players, there are indications that Italy lags in these approaches in sports science and performance optimization/enhancement. Take for example Italian footballer who have suffered serious injuries at arguably young ages (potentially a coincidence or not):

·       Giorgio Scalvini

·       Federico Chiesa

·       Claudio Marchisio

·       Gianluca Scamacca

·       Giovanni Leoni

·       Nicolo Zaniolo

·       Alessandro Florenzi

Business: Economics, Marketing and Finance

When comparing Serie A revenue figures to other leagues across Europe, there is clear cause for concern. Since 2009, Premier League revenues have grown at a rate roughly 5x higher than Serie A, according to UEFA. Matchday revenue also lags significantly, largely due to outdated stadium infrastructure. Between 2007 and 2024:

• Germany built or refurbished 19 stadiums

• England, 13

• Italy? Only 6

  
  

This decline in matchday and broadcasting revenue, combined with lower transfer income due to reduced player development and exports, has caused Serie A to fall behind commercially compared to England, Germany, Spain and France. Clubs, even large ones such as Juventus, have struggled to operate in an efficient and financially + sporting sustainable manner. This has impacted both finances, sporting performance and player development. With this focus on winning right away to increase revenue, there has been a lack of long-term squad planning, with fewer academy prospects integrated given the short-term reliance on older, foreign players, usually on higher wages, creating a less attractive product, increasing risk and causing only more financial and sporting issues that compound. Add into this the old stadiums, with poor experiences and fan experiences, there is a poor product, lagging in revenue creation which then hinders youth development and opportunities while also limiting reinvestment into academies, infrastructure and development.

Demographics, Society and Culture

Looking beyond football, Italy is a declining and aging population with a falling fertility rate, deaths outnumbering births. This naturally reduces the long-term talent pool. Add into this,  societal changes such as increased competition from technological devices such as gaming and streaming, leading to a reduction in informal, street football (highlighted by the FIGC) and rising costs of entering structured football environments.

The result of all this? Less participants in football, smaller talent pools with less skill and natural problem-solving and creativity which is not helped by bureaucracy, public ownership of stadiums, and slow infrastructure development. Not to mention, fragmented relationships across the football ecosystem (clubs, federation, government), which further limit progress.

System-Level Conclusion

At a system level, it becomes clear that these disciplines coexist, and all contribute to a broken system with feedback loops.

Short-term decisions -> fewer youth opportunities and tactical progress -> less exports, talent development and a less attractive product -> less revenue -> less investment -> poor infrastructure and experiences -> less attractive product -> less revenue

All of these disciplines combine into one interconnected system that has led Italian football to its current state. Addressing it will require a long-term structural and systematic change that is driven by greater alignment between stakeholders and investors who adapt a cultural and mindset shift and are willing to:

·       Give younger players more opportunities

·       Focus on sporting and financial sustainability for the long-term

·       Reduce bureaucratic barriers

·       Improve infrastructure and technology

Only through a systematic and aligned approach like this can Italian football begin to produce modern elite players, within modern systems, and re-establish itself at the highest level.