Is there any particular reason for the dip in form that Italian teams seem to have suffered this season? In fact, teams from Italy havent been very impressive in the last few years.
I know it is 'early doors', but next to clubs from Spain and England and even Germany, Italian teams seem to be weak in comparison.
Its naive to assume that Italian teams have suddenly become inferior to their European counterparts. Ofcourse there's bound to be minor blips but over the last 10 years in the CL final we've had:
Milan have been weakened by the sale of [arguably] their best player while they havent strengthened suitably in defence; Inter are always rubbish; and Roma are having a decent time of it. Chievo was the fourth team involved and theyre the size of Crewe or something so we cant expect them to do brilliantly
I expect all 3 Italian sides to make it to the knock-out stages regardless
"Why do you take my statements with a papal seriousness?" "I don't want the virgin olive oil..."
Originally posted by MICHAEL_LA_VIOLA: Well, obviously Italy is usually represented by it's top 4 clubs, but Juventus and Fiorentina aren't in it, so that's a bit of a blow.
Milan are two points clear at the top of their group, so no real problem there.
Roma are second-placed, and have their hardest fixture out of the way, they should qualify.
Inter, well, they're Inter - they always disappoint, don't they?
I don't think there's too much of a problem just yet, if you take CalcioPoli into account.
I totally agree with that analysis.
But the problem isn't what happens this season - it's the future.
If Italian clubs don't do well over the next two/three seasons because of Calciopoli (the effects of which will take a bit of time to resolve), Italy's ranking in UEFA could fall - meaning fewer European places?
As you say Milan and Roma's results aren't that bad this week, but we needed a strong performance from Inter this season - and so far they've let Italian football down. Two must-win games against Spartak Moscow now!
Saying that... a relatively good night in the UEFA Cup with three going through and Chievo - a little unlucky!
I'm not exactly sure what you mean about Italian teams "in the last few years."
The UEFA team coefficient, which is derived solely from the team's performance in the Champions League in the last five years, has three Italian teams in the top 5, with Milan as number 1. Milan were a disallowed goal from forcing extra time and possibly reaching the final last year. And they currently top their group, while Roma losing to Valencia away shouldn't really hurt their chances of qualification any time soon.
So, with calciopoli preventing Juve from competing, I don't think it will really be a bad showing by the Italian sides this year.
Originally posted by Peter Petrar: I'm not exactly sure what you mean about Italian teams "in the last few years."
The UEFA team coefficient, which is derived solely from the team's performance in the Champions League in the last five years, has three Italian teams in the top 5, with Milan as number 1. Milan were a disallowed goal from forcing extra time and possibly reaching the final last year. And they currently top their group, while Roma losing to Valencia away shouldn't really hurt their chances of qualification any time soon.
So, with calciopoli preventing Juve from competing, I don't think it will really be a bad showing by the Italian sides this year.
I'm saying if we consistantaly have the likes of Chievo etc. qualifying for the Champions League - and then failing to advance past the qualifying/group stage - the UEFA coefficient points for Italy could fall behind France/Germany.
Talking about this season as an example - we needed a strong Inter (especially with Chievo out) and Milan and Roma to qualify (which I think will happen - both are in good positions).
