(02-23-2013, 11:28 AM)ACMILAN1983 Wrote: I think in Italy a lot of teams are now acknowledging the importance of doing well in Europe for coefficient points. I think clubs know that if they don't start working towards doing well in Europe, never mind catching back up to Germany in 3rd place, but there's the risk of falling behind other leagues like France or even Holland. If that happens, Italian football, which already struggles with finances will further drop in level of competitiveness with other top leagues in Europe.

Therefore, it's in the best interest for the clubs to start doing well in Europe. The two who go against the grain are Napoli (mentioned already by Geo) and Udinese, both of who have other personal interests and therefore aren't always competitive in Europe (Napoli want CL more than anything and Udinese are run as a business selling its best players every summer). Good news is Napoli look likely to make CL for next season, a competition they take very seriously, while Udinese seem unlikely to qualify for European competition next season, with more competitive teams likely to take the spots.

Italian football has struggled in recent years, but I think clubs in the league are taking the correct steps to rebuilding. The finances play a part, but teams are fighting for the rights to their own stadiums (probably the biggest problem Italy faces in terms of staying competitive financially). Clubs may not have money to buy established superstars, but as we've seen in recent years from Juve, Napoli and now us and Fiorentina, a new model of bringing through young talent and building on foundations of teamwork rather than individual quality is showing positive growth in the league and it's competiveness. We're probably the most exciting club in Italy right now with our youth movement, but we're not the only ones building in a way where we're becoming competitive by smart purchases of young, exciting talents. I also think a lot of Italian clubs have been inspired by the moneyball concept. Galliani even made a specific reference to it back in the summer, and at the time I thought he had lost his mind, but now looking at where we've got to and how we got there, I can see what he meant (even if we're not following the exact strategy of moneyball).

(02-25-2013, 10:28 PM)Hasan Rossonero Wrote: This year Italy has already surpassed the total it managed in three of the four preceding years. It has undoubtedly helped that the points they earn are now divided by 6 instead of 7.

Italy should aim for the 15-16 points range at least to keep Portugal at a safe distance, and to keep making up ground on the Bundesliga, who have lost 3 teams in the competition already.

The most up-to-date ranking:

http://kassiesa.home.xs4all.nl/bert/uefa/data/method4/crank2013.html

Notice that if you check next year's (click on 2014), Portugal are perilously close.

Also really glad to see Napoli lose ground on Juve--serves them right after the way they acquitted themselves in Europe.