It’s been on the slide for years. The standard is nowhere near what it was in the 90s. The crowds are crap, the quality of football is crap and the competitiveness is crap. It’s a moderately better version of Scotland.
I used to go and watch a fair bit several years ago and have to massively disagree with you. While the quality wasn't quite as good as the PL, it was exciting football and the crowds were much more passionate. It cost a tenner a game as well.
Sorry I meant the numbers not the noise.
It’s been on the slide for years. The standard is nowhere near what it was in the 90s. The crowds are crap, the quality of football is crap and the competitiveness is crap. It’s a moderately better version of Scotland.
I'll stand up for Serie A forever, I'd sooner watch it over any other foreign league. Possible that James Richardson had some kind of hypnotic powers back in the day and I'm fully indoctrinated.
I'll stand up for Serie A forever, I'd sooner watch it over any other foreign league. Possible that James Richardson had some kind of hypnotic powers back in the day and I'm fully indoctrinated.
CJ you're obviously quite a well travelled football fan, so have no intention of abusing you, and your opinion is as valid as the next man, but got to add my weight to the argument for Italian football.
The standard as mentioned above... Juve, Roma, Napoli... Inter on the way back. The likes of Lazio, Fiorentina, Atalanta, Sampdoria, would in my opinion turn the equivalent Premier League teams over most days of the week.
Crowds aren't fantastic throughout, but at the top end Napoli just about filled the San Paolo last Friday, and pack in 35000+ most weeks, Juve sell out 40000 every week, Inter, and to a lesser extent AC Milan, crowds rising over 45000-50000. Would like to see the next tier of teams... Sampdoria, Torino, Bologna, etc... pack a few more in, they don't seem to get too far above 20000 most weeks. But the atmosphere at all Italian games is far and above anything over here. I went to Hellas Verona vs Pro Vercelli last year, 15000 fans in a 40000 capacity stadium, only about 400 away fans tops, and the atmosphere still rose above about 98% of what I've ever experienced in this country. And being at the San Siro for a big game ranks as the finest most intense atmosphere I've experienced at any sporting event ever (even more so than the Rome Derby which comes a very close second). The likes of Atalanta, Bologna, and even some of the lower league teams, they are pure passionate atmospheres.
It is early to say whether this season will remain competitive, but the outlook is promising. It's a fact that Juve have won it 6 years in a row, but it's only been the last dozen or so games where they've pulled away in the last couple of years.
There seems to be a trend for companies offering "all expenses paid" trips to Germany, Holland, etc, for football weekends. But I would heartily recommend people get themselves a flight/hotel in Italy and get to some games. Tickets for just about every game are available on Viagogo and a lot of games also available on Listicket. For most games outside the real biggies you'll be alright getting tickets on the day for a whole lot cheaper than over here.
I have seen as many, in fact far more, entertaining Italian games in the last two seasons, than any other league. The much vaunted play acting and cheating is everywhere now unfortunately, it's no longer an Italian trait only. The football is patient, very few teams even take long goal-kicks, and look for an opening rather than "putting it in the mixer".
I can hand on heart say Italian football, for all its problems, is the best league in the world, and the "matchday" experience which is so missing from English football, is generally fantastic over there.
So happy how this thread has gone!
Travs do you mind if i pm you about going to a gamw in italy?
I did the same in Piazza Bra, it's my favourite photo from that holiday and the wife had absolutely no idea why I was buying a paper I can't read and a sundae I'd never finish!Hahaha I used to sit in Piazza Erbe in Verona with a copy of La Gazzetta dello Sport and a coffee. I admit that I started to pretend I was him.
CJ you're obviously quite a well travelled football fan, so have no intention of abusing you, and your opinion is as valid as the next man, but got to add my weight to the argument for Italian football.
The standard as mentioned above... Juve, Roma, Napoli... Inter on the way back. The likes of Lazio, Fiorentina, Atalanta, Sampdoria, would in my opinion turn the equivalent Premier League teams over most days of the week.
Crowds aren't fantastic throughout, but at the top end Napoli just about filled the San Paolo last Friday, and pack in 35000+ most weeks, Juve sell out 40000 every week, Inter, and to a lesser extent AC Milan, crowds rising over 45000-50000. Would like to see the next tier of teams... Sampdoria, Torino, Bologna, etc... pack a few more in, they don't seem to get too far above 20000 most weeks. But the atmosphere at all Italian games is far and above anything over here. I went to Hellas Verona vs Pro Vercelli last year, 15000 fans in a 40000 capacity stadium, only about 400 away fans tops, and the atmosphere still rose above about 98% of what I've ever experienced in this country. And being at the San Siro for a big game ranks as the finest most intense atmosphere I've experienced at any sporting event ever (even more so than the Rome Derby which comes a very close second). The likes of Atalanta, Bologna, and even some of the lower league teams, they are pure passionate atmospheres.
It is early to say whether this season will remain competitive, but the outlook is promising. It's a fact that Juve have won it 6 years in a row, but it's only been the last dozen or so games where they've pulled away in the last couple of years.
There seems to be a trend for companies offering "all expenses paid" trips to Germany, Holland, etc, for football weekends. But I would heartily recommend people get themselves a flight/hotel in Italy and get to some games. Tickets for just about every game are available on Viagogo and a lot of games also available on Listicket. For most games outside the real biggies you'll be alright getting tickets on the day for a whole lot cheaper than over here.
I have seen as many, in fact far more, entertaining Italian games in the last two seasons, than any other league. The much vaunted play acting and cheating is everywhere now unfortunately, it's no longer an Italian trait only. The football is patient, very few teams even take long goal-kicks, and look for an opening rather than "putting it in the mixer".
I can hand on heart say Italian football, for all its problems, is the best league in the world, and the "matchday" experience which is so missing from English football, is generally fantastic over there.
But they failed to qualify for the World Cup.<snip>
I can hand on heart say Italian football, for all its problems, is the best league in the world, and the "matchday" experience which is so missing from English football, is generally fantastic over there.
But they failed to qualify for the World Cup.
And I fully respect yours. I’ve just not been impressed by what I’ve seen though. Atmosphere yes, general quality of football no. I’d happily go over again and catch a few games. Anywhere but Turin or Milan though.
And I fully respect yours. I’ve just not been impressed by what I’ve seen though. Atmosphere yes, general quality of football no. I’d happily go over again and catch a few games. Anywhere but Turin or Milan though.
Not been to Turin but would like to go to Supergra and also see a match. Intended to last time, but went down to Genoa for the day instead.
I really like Milan. It's not massively scenic in the same way as Rome/Florence/Verona, but it's still pretty buzzing, easy to get around, the train links to the rest of the country are fantastic, so many other clubs within an hour or two, and of course the San Siro. If you want to pack a few games into a weekend/week, it's probably the best place to base yourself.
I have to admit I'd like to get down to the south, as Sick Boy mentions in the above post. Not been further south than Rome, but would love to get to Naples, Bari, Lecce...
I've heard the rivalry is pretty intense between north and south. Especially from the heavily political fan bases like Hellas Verona. And also the Catania vs Palermo Derby, didn't someone get killed a few years ago.
I had hoped to get over for Livorno vs Pisa this year, and Atalanta vs Hellas, but other commitments are making it difficult this season.
Would love to see Parma back in the top division, they're doing ok at the moment.
Not been to Turin but would like to go to Supergra and also see a match. Intended to last time, but went down to Genoa for the day instead.
I really like Milan. It's not massively scenic in the same way as Rome/Florence/Verona, but it's still pretty buzzing, easy to get around, the train links to the rest of the country are fantastic, so many other clubs within an hour or two, and of course the San Siro. If you want to pack a few games into a weekend/week, it's probably the best place to base yourself.
I have to admit I'd like to get down to the south, as Sick Boy mentions in the above post. Not been further south than Rome, but would love to get to Naples, Bari, Lecce...
On the subject of this, I was looking at going to Roma v Milan in late Feb. Would you expect tickets to be relatively difficult to obtain or could they be available for cheap close to the game?
Florence is indeed stunning and nearby Pisa is very nice too if a bit on the tiny side.I was very briefly in Naples this summer, as far as however much of it you see coming in and out of the airport. Looked a bit grimy, the towns around it similar. Verona though was stunning. Want to see Florence and Siena as well as trying to see as much of Rome as is possible.
Venice has never appealed to me, no point when we're so close to Birmingham
Milan is one of the worst cities I’ve visited. It’s a horrible place. Run down, graffiti everywhere and a tramp in every doorway. Turin on the other hand is very nice. Bit boring but found it quite a pleasant City to spend a couple of days. Only issue there is the people. It’s full of cretins that want to kill you for being English.
Naples is somewhere I really want to watch a game. Rome too. Will go over there again next year for that.
I was very briefly in Naples this summer, as far as however much of it you see coming in and out of the airport. Looked a bit grimy, the towns around it similar. Verona though was stunning. Want to see Florence and Siena as well as trying to see as much of Rome as is possible.
Venice has never appealed to me, no point when we're so close to Birmingham
I did the same in Piazza Bra, it's my favourite photo from that holiday and the wife had absolutely no idea why I was buying a paper I can't read and a sundae I'd never finish!