Serie A

Serie A is the top professional football league in Italy, and one of the most prestigious leagues in the world. Founded in 1929, it has a long history of producing some of the best talent in the game. From greats like Paolo Maldini, Andrea Pirlo, and Francesco Totti, to modern-day stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Serie A continues to attract top players from around the globe. But what makes the league so special, and what’s behind its recent rise in popularity?

One factor is the quality of play. Serie A is renowned for its tactical sophistication, with teams often employing system of play that prioritize defense and ball possession. This has created a style of football that is precise and controlled, with a high degree of technical skill on display. The league is also known for producing excellent goalkeepers, with Gianluigi Buffon and Dino Zoff among the most celebrated in history.

Another factor is the fierce competitiveness of the league. Despite Juventus’ dominance in recent years, the race for the Scudetto has often been a closely fought affair, with teams like Roma, Napoli, and Inter Milan pushing the champions all the way. Further down the table, there’s always a battle for the Europa League and Champions League spots, with the likes of Lazio and Atalanta having enjoyed recent success on the European stage.

But Serie A’s recent resurgence owes much to a new wave of talent in the league. The arrival of European champions Liverpool’s former coach Rafa Benitez as coach to Napoli in 2013 ushered in a new era in Italian football. Other clubs followed suit, appointing young and ambitious coaches who favored a more attacking style of play, powering a resurgence in the league.

Napoli’s Maurizio Sarri (who is now Chelsea’s coach) was widely acclaimed for his ‘Sarri-ball’ approach, which combined high pressing with quick, short passes. He led Napoli to a spectacular title challenge in 2017-18, winning them praise from pundits across Europe. At the same time, Juventus, while deploying a more pragmatic style of play, brought in Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid, adding a touch of stardust to the league.

The effects of this change of guard were clear to see, when it was evident that the league has undergone a startling transformation. In the 2018-19 season, Serie A had the highest average attendance across Europe’s top five leagues. Many of the games were played in packed arenas, with fans singing and dancing in an atmosphere that was as vibrant as any in the world.

Off the field, too, there has been a sea change. Serie A’s marketing and social media strategies have been revamped and rebranded to appeal to new audiences, with the league’s online presence boosted through partnerships with popular platforms such as TikTok and Twitch.

At the heart of Serie A’s resurgence is the passion of the fans. The supporters of Italian football are among the most vocal, enthusiastic and knowledgeable in the world, with their fervor fueling the atmosphere both in the stadiums and online. Serie A has always been a league with soul, and it’s that character that has helped it stand out from its more corporate counterparts across Europe.

Serie A is uniquely Italian: fierce, exciting, and steeped in history, with a style of football that is both technically mesmerizing and physically challenging. With the league teeming with young stars like Romelu Lukaku, Nicolo Barella, and Chiesa Federico, as well as legends like Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, there’s never been a better time to follow Italian football. Serie A has truly made a comeback and once again become a league that fans of the beautiful game can’t afford to miss.