In the 1990’s, English football fans were graced with the likes of Paolo Maldini, Zinedine Zidane and Marco Van Basten, and not because they were playing for British sides. Instead, the Italian top-flight was filled with so much talent that it warranted a prime place on British TV, with ‘Gazzetta Football Italia’ highlighting that the absolute best football in Europe was played in Italy.
The Italian top-fight was filled with so much talent that it warranted a prime place on British TV.
The growing success of English football and waning financial power for Serie A has certainly pushed the once esteemed league from its pedestal over the last 30 years. Spain’s La Liga, and at times Germany’s Bundesliga have similarly displaced Italian dominance on the continent. However, it appears as though the 2024/25 season is signalling a return to glory for the Italy's top-flight, or at least a return to being far more competitive and intriguing than the 1-horse-race it has often been over the past 20 years.
As of writing, 5 of the top 6 all sit on 25 points, with Antonio Conte’s SSC Napoli just edging the top spot on 26. As well as the minimal point difference, the nature of the teams at the top shows just how much the wider league has grown. Whilst Napoli, Juventus, and Inter Milan have always been there or there abouts, 5th place S.S. Lazio and 3rd place ACF Fiorentina seem to finally be challenging as they were in the league’s prime years.
2nd place Atalanta BC continue to defy all logic as a team that have never won the Scudetto, after already achieving the unthinkable by winning the UEFA Europe League last season. Their triumphant 3-0 win against an exceptional Leverkusen side saw manager Gian Piero Gasperini take his first major trophy as a coach, while former Charlton Athletic man Ademola Lookman's hat-trick earnt him a place in Ballon D'or rankings.
However, the competition isn’t just tight at the top of the table, with a mere 5 points separating bottom placed Venezia, and Serie A giants AS Roma in 12th place, with the concept of relegation for Roma an unthinkable one in the previously less competitive nature of the league. It appears as if a lot of the teams in the bottom half of the table, from 90’s staples like Parma to relative minnows Como 1907, are all at a competitive level, further increasing the jeopardy and intrigue at the relegation battle.
Whilst the days of ‘Gazzetta Football Italia’ have long passed, Serie A is certainly one to keep an eye on for all football fans this season.
