⚽ Sportsbet.io ⚽ Italian Serie A ⚽ Football Pool Discussion Thread 2025/2026

[paco92x]

It's not Juventus, but Serie A - the entire league is losing to other top leagues. And going further, it's not Serie A that's at fault, but the Italian economy, but that's more difficult for me to judge, because while Germany is certainly doing better economically than Italy, the difference between Spain and Italy isn't so clear. We're not even mentioning the Premier League, which is undoubtedly the richest and most developed.
Plus, hereditary traits in playing style matter, it's one thing to watch a fun, goal-heavy mess in La Liga and the Bundesliga, and quite another to watch the torment of the Cattenachos' heirs.

After Juve, now the Italian league leaders managed to blame the whole Italian league with two defeats in seven days against a Norwegian club. Italian football is definitely in serious decline — call it a depression if you want. And it will only get worse and worse. I simply can’t watch Italian football anymore; it’s too boring, except from time to time when watching Como, which is my new Atalanta (favorite). Everything else reminds me of my boring Croatian HNL.

[leea-1334]

Juventus, seems like their days are truly over. I always wondered how it was like to be with a club with famous days like 20 years ago and nothing now, I think in 20 years Juventus could be such a club,,, based on all the recent performances and losing to a club like Como anyway.

I have nothing left to watch for this weekend but still hoping to see a bit of my game versus Arsenal and maybe even a bit of Napoli if I can find

It's not Juventus, but Serie A - the entire league is losing to other top leagues. And going further, it's not Serie A that's at fault, but the Italian economy, but that's more difficult for me to judge, because while Germany is certainly doing better economically than Italy, the difference between Spain and Italy isn't so clear. We're not even mentioning the Premier League, which is undoubtedly the richest and most developed.
Plus, hereditary traits in playing style matter, it's one thing to watch a fun, goal-heavy mess in La Liga and the Bundesliga, and quite another to watch the torment of the Cattenachos' heirs.

With Inter Milan leaving Champions League in big shame,,, I think what you say is even more relevant now. Atalanta being the only team to progress, but that was because of Dortmund anyway not being their best.

I am not sure about Italy football being as depressing as people are saying. For sure it is not high speed but it is quite attacking in last 10 years, hence why I started watching also.

Napoli, Atalanta, AC Milan,,, I think you are right, it is simply economy, unable to pay high wages to get the most fluent players now.

[LTU_btc]

After Juve, now the Italian league leaders managed to blame the whole Italian league with two defeats in seven days against a Norwegian club. Italian football is definitely in serious decline — call it a depression if you want. And it will only get worse and worse. I simply can’t watch Italian football anymore; it’s too boring, except from time to time when watching Como, which is my new Atalanta (favorite). Everything else reminds me of my boring Croatian HNL.

When you look at Italian clubs achievements in Europe, it's not bad at all. In UEFA league ranking only EPL is above. Just in recent few years Inter played in CL finals twice, Atalanta won Europa league, Roma lost in the final. Roma won Conference league, Fiorentina done it twice. Not bad for a league in decline and only this season is complete nightmare.
But these results looks a bit misleading and I doubt that in upcoming few seasons they will repeat something similar.
There is very few big names in Serie A. And I'm not even talking about mid table clubs. I don't know what would force me to tune in game like Lecce - Cremonese. While I often enjoy watching mediacore clubs playing in La Liga or Bundesliga, don't even talk about EPL.

[buwaytress]

Yeah, I think the Italy shitstorm is slightly overrated because of recent results. The UEFA coefficients are what tell the true story for something everyone recognises (which is, if we need to remind people, why England and Spain have extra spots).

I'm not saying it's wrong to say Italy is shit this season. They are. Just as Liverpool are shit, we should ignore last season's magnificence, we can acknowledge that Italian teams are among the least skillful this season. I use ELO rankings, which I like a lot, to prove this. Top ten have half from England, then the Barca/Real pair, then one each from Germany, France and Italy. Inter's the 10th.

But, if you prefer Opta power ranking, then it's doom and gloom for Italy, but that's because Opta looks only at scoring ability. And Ferguson, and Italy, all know that attack wins you games, defence wins you titles.

P.S. Fiorentina became Galatasaray, giving up a 3-goal advantage in Conference League at home.

[Mindyspace]

Yeah, I think the Italy shitstorm is slightly overrated because of recent results. The UEFA coefficients are what tell the true story for something everyone recognises (which is, if we need to remind people, why England and Spain have extra spots).

I'm not saying it's wrong to say Italy is shit this season. They are. Just as Liverpool are shit, we should ignore last season's magnificence, we can acknowledge that Italian teams are among the least skillful this season. I use ELO rankings, which I like a lot, to prove this. Top ten have half from England, then the Barca/Real pair, then one each from Germany, France and Italy. Inter's the 10th.

But, if you prefer Opta power ranking, then it's doom and gloom for Italy, but that's because Opta looks only at scoring ability. And Ferguson, and Italy, all know that attack wins you games, defence wins you titles.

P.S. Fiorentina became Galatasaray, giving up a 3-goal advantage in Conference League at home.

I agree that the controversy surrounding Italy is greatly exaggerated, but you can't deny that their season has been weak, can you? The ELO ranking shows that, and even though Opta focuses only on goals, defense still counts for a lot in winning titles. And losing that 3-goal advantage against Fiorentina was hard to accept...

[leea-1334]

Nothing much special going on today but I have a feeling we could see either 0-0 or 3-3 score in Juventus game at Roma,,, this is a season already belonging to Inter but we still have CL spots up for grabs.

The ELO ranking shows that, and even though Opta focuses only on goals, defense still counts for a lot in winning titles. And losing that 3-goal advantage against Fiorentina was hard to accept...

What are you shitposters talking about,,, even with AI you cannot find a way to write better?

You are completely summarizing what @buwaytress posted, in a worse way,,, and also the 3 goal advantage was not against Fiorentina, it was the other way around.

[leea-1334]

Lazio and Atalanta made it quite a feast of goals yesterday, so both still have a great chance to progress to the finals, but I think Atalanta will be backing on home crowd this time,,, same as Inter Como who served the opposite with zero goals in the first leg. Probably not important for most of the teams playing but Coppa means Europa so Como will be most interested,,, yes they have league position now but not sure it can last!

Come on Como we got you 

[paco92x]

Lazio and Atalanta made it quite a feast of goals yesterday, so both still have a great chance to progress to the finals, but I think Atalanta will be backing on home crowd this time,,, same as Inter Como who served the opposite with zero goals in the first leg. Probably not important for most of the teams playing but Coppa means Europa so Como will be most interested,,, yes they have league position now but not sure it can last!

Come on Como we got you 

Two games, two draws. It was definitely much better to watch the game between Lazio vs. Atalanta, but Como also managed to put in a good effort at home.
I see Atalanta and Inter in the final, but I will also be rooting for Como — a superb team with a superb football display this season, and also three Croatian players, which is a bonus reason to cheer for them.

[darbitmobilerecovery]

When i was young i always saw Lazio as a mid-big club and i was since that always waiting to see them doing something, but after so many years they dont do something never. Only in one season they have a real sensational team when Veron,Simeone and other argentinians were there in the early 2000. After it they never win something and they were always a wanna be team, what a mess, the same goes for Rome but they at least do something more.

[leea-1334]

Lazio and Atalanta made it quite a feast of goals yesterday, so both still have a great chance to progress to the finals, but I think Atalanta will be backing on home crowd this time,,, same as Inter Como who served the opposite with zero goals in the first leg. Probably not important for most of the teams playing but Coppa means Europa so Como will be most interested,,, yes they have league position now but not sure it can last!

Come on Como we got you 

Two games, two draws. It was definitely much better to watch the game between Lazio vs. Atalanta, but Como also managed to put in a good effort at home.
I see Atalanta and Inter in the final, but I will also be rooting for Como — a superb team with a superb football display this season, and also three Croatian players, which is a bonus reason to cheer for them.

Wow 3 mini Luka Modrics in one Italian team? This must be a record   is there a reason for this like some agent connection or they just happened in coincidence?

Let us go Como versus Lazio, let every other team who is in Champions League enjoy that,,, and let Lazio or Como get some glory and a place in Europa League

[paco92x]

Wow 3 mini Luka Modrics in one Italian team? This must be a record   is there a reason for this like some agent connection or they just happened in coincidence?

Maybe one can be somewhere near Luka Modrić, and that is Martin Baturina — he is getting better with every game. The others are not even close. Smolčić is an okay defensive back for most Serie A teams, and the third one, Čavlina, is a second-choice goalkeeper, and I don't think he can be more than that.

Fabregas has a nose when it comes to money value and talent. It is not that they have the same agents. Smolčić and Čavlina were very cheap players (around €3 million for both of them), yet already very experienced. And Baturina is pure talent that they, in my opinion, also paid cheaply for (around €15 million — they will sell him for €30–40 million).

[leea-1334]

Wow 3 mini Luka Modrics in one Italian team? This must be a record   is there a reason for this like some agent connection or they just happened in coincidence?

Maybe one can be somewhere near Luka Modrić, and that is Martin Baturina — he is getting better with every game. The others are not even close. Smolčić is an okay defensive back for most Serie A teams, and the third one, Čavlina, is a second-choice goalkeeper, and I don't think he can be more than that.

Fabregas has a nose when it comes to money value and talent. It is not that they have the same agents. Smolčić and Čavlina were very cheap players (around €3 million for both of them), yet already very experienced. And Baturina is pure talent that they, in my opinion, also paid cheaply for (around €15 million — they will sell him for €30–40 million).

Thank you for giving me some of these names I will now be able to read about them and follow

Actually these days managers are less credited for such good finds,,, instead their scouting departments are who locate these guys and put their portfolio in front of managers.

At least, this was what happened with the ones I know like Poch and even Spurs as a whole (forget past 3 years lol).

[leea-1334]

Crazy things always happen on Friday,,, though it was Saturday for me and I actually heard someone shouting on TV I thought who the hell is watching these teams, turns out it was neighbors arguing. Then saw Torino scored 4, don't think they ever did that in many years,,, but they needed to pay back losing 12 goals to Como already I guess 

[buwaytress]

When i was young i always saw Lazio as a mid-big club and i was since that always waiting to see them doing something, but after so many years they dont do something never. Only in one season they have a real sensational team when Veron,Simeone and other argentinians were there in the early 2000. After it they never win something and they were always a wanna be team, what a mess, the same goes for Rome but they at least do something more.

I "supported" Lazio for a period when Lucas Leiva left Liverpool (I don't follow every player, just the ones I've always liked) and they seemed intensely morbid at keeping mid-table status. Had no idea they had Veron there, Simeone yes, it always explained things for me in that way!

Crazy things always happen on Friday,,, though it was Saturday for me and I actually heard someone shouting on TV I thought who the hell is watching these teams, turns out it was neighbors arguing. Then saw Torino scored 4, don't think they ever did that in many years,,, but they needed to pay back losing 12 goals to Como already I guess 

The other team from Turin, I have no love for them, and I never know when they show up, just one of the teams I generally can't have an opinion about either way haha.

[darxiaomi]

When i was young i always saw Lazio as a mid-big club and i was since that always waiting to see them doing something, but after so many years they dont do something never. Only in one season they have a real sensational team when Veron,Simeone and other argentinians were there in the early 2000. After it they never win something and they were always a wanna be team, what a mess, the same goes for Rome but they at least do something more.

I "supported" Lazio for a period when Lucas Leiva left Liverpool (I don't follow every player, just the ones I've always liked) and they seemed intensely morbid at keeping mid-table status. Had no idea they had Veron there, Simeone yes, it always explained things for me in that way!

Crazy things always happen on Friday,,, though it was Saturday for me and I actually heard someone shouting on TV I thought who the hell is watching these teams, turns out it was neighbors arguing. Then saw Torino scored 4, don't think they ever did that in many years,,, but they needed to pay back losing 12 goals to Como already I guess 

The other team from Turin, I have no love for them, and I never know when they show up, just one of the teams I generally can't have an opinion about either way haha.

Hahahaha Lucas Leiva? For real? It was the Lucas Biglia from brazil, players who seems good but they are not at the level msot expect and all his carrer is always hype around them but never do anything really important.

About Torino the other team from Turin is the most cursed team in history of football since the tragic airplane fall.

[buwaytress]

Hahahaha Lucas Leiva? For real? It was the Lucas Biglia from brazil, players who seems good but they are not at the level msot expect and all his carrer is always hype around them but never do anything really important.

About Torino the other team from Turin is the most cursed team in history of football since the tragic airplane fall.

For real! I'm not sure even Liverpool fans remember him much but he put in the work to set the foundations for Klopp's beasts and when he moved to Lazio, he actually racked up some huge performances (they won Coppa in his first season) and same like at Anfield, he became a cult hero very quickly. He made the most of his years there before returning to Brazil... he replaced Biglia but some say he was an upgrade haha, not really hyped as much but for a long time Liverpool scapegoat and I never really felt he deserved it.

[cryptofrka]

For real! I'm not sure even Liverpool fans remember him much but he put in the work to set the foundations for Klopp's beasts and when he moved to Lazio, he actually racked up some huge performances (they won Coppa in his first season) and same like at Anfield, he became a cult hero very quickly. He made the most of his years there before returning to Brazil... he replaced Biglia but some say he was an upgrade haha, not really hyped as much but for a long time Liverpool scapegoat and I never really felt he deserved it.

Lucas was underrated, same way that Hendo was. He was a guy you always could count on to do the job so not sure where all the hate came from.

It's just the world we live in I guess, in which 'coach misunderstood' Naby Keita who was crap whenever he played and he was 'just unlucky'.
On the other side of it are Leivas, Hendersons and Ginis of this world that 'can't pass a ball 3 yards' when in reality their passing success into offensive areas was 20% more successful than our 'misunderstood maestro' Keita ever had.

Sorry for a bit of OT but yeah - most fans remember Lucas, those that like the guys that simply do the shift without the fuss when needed appreciate him highly.

[lombok]

For real! I'm not sure even Liverpool fans remember him much but he put in the work to set the foundations for Klopp's beasts and when he moved to Lazio, he actually racked up some huge performances (they won Coppa in his first season) and same like at Anfield, he became a cult hero very quickly. He made the most of his years there before returning to Brazil... he replaced Biglia but some say he was an upgrade haha, not really hyped as much but for a long time Liverpool scapegoat and I never really felt he deserved it.

Lucas was underrated, same way that Hendo was. He was a guy you always could count on to do the job so not sure where all the hate came from.

It's just the world we live in I guess, in which 'coach misunderstood' Naby Keita who was crap whenever he played and he was 'just unlucky'.
On the other side of it are Leivas, Hendersons and Ginis of this world that 'can't pass a ball 3 yards' when in reality their passing success into offensive areas was 20% more successful than our 'misunderstood maestro' Keita ever had.

Sorry for a bit of OT but yeah - most fans remember Lucas, those that like the guys that simply do the shift without the fuss when needed appreciate him highly.

The conditions set on Lucas Leiva are very brutal, although what he does to ensure the midfield is not stable is not a trifle in the success of the team. We are not supposed to be influenced by the common notion that technical players are only adored and not ready to lend a hand when in a defensive situation or pass the ball unsuccessfully to the right or left at the most critical point. As a matter of fact, the fact that they succeeded in entering the offensive field is evidence that they are not only good in passing short as some people would expose them to be. The mentality of a champion is hard work without further ado.

[buwaytress]

Oh fuck off with your AI slop, lombok.

Lucas was underrated, same way that Hendo was. He was a guy you always could count on to do the job so not sure where all the hate came from.

It's just the world we live in I guess, in which 'coach misunderstood' Naby Keita who was crap whenever he played and he was 'just unlucky'.
On the other side of it are Leivas, Hendersons and Ginis of this world that 'can't pass a ball 3 yards' when in reality their passing success into offensive areas was 20% more successful than our 'misunderstood maestro' Keita ever had.

Sorry for a bit of OT but yeah - most fans remember Lucas, those that like the guys that simply do the shift without the fuss when needed appreciate him highly.

A man after my own heart. Whichever eras we had, my favourites have always been the workhorses. I always felt it was very unLiverpool the way people hated Lucas and Hendo (at first) so much. I remember when Fergie made fun of Henderson's gait. I get you always have to earn the respect of the fans but struggling players trying to break into the team don't need boos from their own fans.

Anyway, Keita. Heh. Naby lad, Pongolle, Salif, they had moments but never the heart of Igor Biscan.

[leea-1334]

Man if Fiorentina wins Conference League it will be the Italian version of Tottenham,,, almost fighting for relegation and yet progressing to the end of a cup competition, of course smaller than Europa but to me similar.

Roma OTOH now in Conference spot, nothing left to fight for might as well go higher right? No 5th CL spot for Italy.