Italian football, once glorious is no longer there, and the defeat of two consecutive World Cups has made the face of this football power gloomy. In the 2024 European Championship, as the defending champions, they were defeated by the Swiss team in the first round of the knockout round, which was not only a blow, but also a resounding slap in the face.
I remember that in 2018 and 2022, when the Italian team missed the World Cup, there was an uproar in China. At that time, people also tried to hide the loss with the victory of Euro 2021, as if that "fig leaf" could hide everything. But the reality is always cruel, and when the Italian team is out early in this European Cup, all the problems are ruthlessly exposed to the sun.
Some people say that the decline of Italian football is the regression of the whole system. From the "phonegate incident" onwards, Serie A was like being cursed, and its influence plummeted. The value of TV rights in the Premier League, La Liga, and Bundesliga has been climbing, while Serie A is like an outdated star, with an average annual income of only $1.193 billion, down 15.8% from the previous contract.
This has a direct impact on the team's pockets. Inter, Napoli, AC Milan, Juventus, Lazio, Roma and other traditional powerhouses, although they take most of the TV broadcast revenue, but small teams like Cremonese do not even have 30 million euros. It's like a cake that is getting smaller and smaller, no matter how you divide it, it's not enough to eat.
The problem of youth training has also become a pain in the face of Italian football. Without enough money, the development of young players is empty talk. Long-reliant veterans, such as Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci, played a major role in the last European Championship, but when they left, the Italian team became less competitive.
The backwardness of technology and tactics has made the Italian team falter in the international arena. Without a new concept of technique and tactics, without the emergence of talented players, this team is like a boat that has lost its direction, and can only swing in the wind and waves.
Some say that there is only one superstar left in Italian football - Donnarumma. The goalkeeper, who plays in Paris, has really shown his worth at this European Championship. But can one person really support a team? It sounds like a joke.
The decline of Italian football has also triggered a deep reflection. But what about after reflection? If we can't comprehensively innovate and improve from the training system of grassroots football to the competitive level of professional leagues, I am afraid that there is still a long way to go for Italian football to turn around.
Look at the current Serie A, although it ranks first in the European standings, but can such a result really represent the strength of Italian football? Five Serie A teams in the Champions League sounds imposing, but what's the point of such a qualification if it's not competitive enough?
Italian football requires not only reflection, but also action. From youth training to professional leagues, from technical tactics to player training, every link needs to be reformed and innovated. Only in this way can we truly regain the glory of the past.
But Italian football is like a rat trapped in a maze, stumbling around and not finding an exit. The disappointment of the fans and the doubts of the media are reminding them that they can't go on like this.
Perhaps the road to the revival of Italian football will require not only time, but also courage and determination. After all, in this competitive football world, it is an immutable truth that if you fall behind, you will be beaten.