Italian football is facing an uncomfortable reality in European competition this season. A league that once dominated the continent now finds itself struggling to keep pace with Europe’s elite, prompting concern from legends of the game such as Alessandro Del Piero.
The former Juventus captain believes the problem runs deeper than a single disappointing campaign. According to him, Italian clubs must rediscover their passion for football and address structural issues if they are to compete again with the best teams in Europe.
Serie A’s difficulties in the 2025–26 European season have been stark. Last year’s finalists Inter Milan were eliminated in the play-off round by Bodø/Glimt, marking the first time a Norwegian side had knocked out an Italian club in the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League or European Cup.
The struggles have been widespread. Reigning Italian champions Napoli endured a disastrous league phase, finishing 30th and failing to reach the knockout rounds. Meanwhile, Juventus were heavily beaten 5–2 by Galatasaray in the first leg of their play-off tie and were ultimately eliminated despite winning the return leg 3–2.
The problems did not stop there. This week, Atalanta suffered a humiliating 6–0 home defeat against Bayern Munich, a result that further highlighted the growing gap between Italian teams and Europe’s strongest clubs.
For Del Piero, these outcomes are not random.
“Can I cry? It’s a struggle situation,” he said while speaking to CBS during their coverage of the Champions League this week.
He believes the decline of Italian clubs is closely tied to financial realities within the league.
“It is the result of what has happened in Italy in the past years. The level of investment is low,” he said. “Other markets have become much, much bigger than us.”
While leagues such as the Premier League have benefited from enormous broadcasting deals and global investment, Serie A clubs have often been forced to operate with tighter budgets and heavier financial constraints.
According to Del Piero, financial management must improve if Italian teams want to become competitive again.
“I believe that, financially, our teams need to be more regulated. Not having so much debt,” he explained. “We don’t all have owners, like Juventus have, who write a big cheque at the end of the season.”
The lack of stable investment limits transfer spending, infrastructure development, and long-term planning, areas where other European leagues have surged ahead. Punters also using online casino with Blik have been hesitant to back Italian teams, with many turning to teams from other European leagues when making their predictions.
Del Piero also pointed to worrying signs in youth development. He highlighted the unusual sight of young Italian prospects developing abroad rather than within the country’s own system.
“Youth systems? We will see Borussia Dortmund play Atalanta with two Italian guys [born in] 2008,” he said. “Excuse me? What’s going on? Why don’t we have these Italians? Why are they playing for Dortmund?”
The German club is widely respected for identifying and developing young talent, and Del Piero suggested the presence of Italian teenagers there reflects weaknesses in domestic academies.
Italy once produced some of the world’s finest footballers through strong youth structures, but the country risks losing that identity if young prospects continue to flourish abroad.
For Del Piero, the solution also lies in a broader cultural reset within Italian football.
“We need to find again the love for the game, not only on the pitch,” he said.
He believes the problem extends to governance, public perception, and the constant controversies that surround the sport in Italy.
“We need to be more responsible for what we show the public,” he added. “There are so many controversies sometimes.”
Serie A remains one of Europe’s historic leagues, with several clubs that have won numerous European titles and shaped the modern game. This season’s results, however, show that tradition alone is not enough. Without stronger investment, improved financial management, and renewed focus on youth development, Italian teams risk falling further behind the continent’s leading powers.
Del Piero’s message is clear. If Serie A wants to reclaim its place among Europe’s elite, it must rediscover both its passion and its purpose. Only then can Italian clubs hope to compete again on the biggest stage.