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In this thread I want to discuss the turnaround that Italy has had in the world of soccer (football).
We'll start off by the scandal. These were thought to be really tough time in Italy and many would have said that soccer in Italy was finished and done. This caused a few things to happen. 1) The Italian superstars like Totti, Gattuso, Pirlo, Nesta, Cannavaro, etc. decided that they were going to finally put an effort to the bad rep that Italy was getting and stop worrying about their high class of seniority that they had. In other words media and fans put Italy to the walls and it gave the side the strength to pull together and win the world cup and show Italy's true worth.
2) AC Milan was truly hurt by the scandals, and were put against the walls when they had to start the league at -8, and their Champions League spot was almost stripped from them and the players had their holidays cut short.
This caused the players to train hard and get to the champions league tournament and work hard to once again prove the media and fans of soccer around the world wrong. Keep in mind that Milan lost one of it's best players and was never replaced with any good talent.
3) Juventus went to Serie B - As shocking as it was I must say that this did wonders for the Serie B in Italy and because of it's television rights and the fact that other fans were able to see these quality players that were in Serie B, it proved to be a helping hand to the league as well for developing Italian born players. Therefore creating more skill in Italy.
Finally - Even though it was very unfortunate what happened in Italy last year, in the end everything happens for a reason, and if the reason that Italy wasn't up to standard for the last few years it was because of these bad apples that were ruining soccer in Italy. Italy is going to be clean, and they are going to impose their soccer talent and show the fans that they still are a soccer powerhouse like Brazil, England, France and Germany.
Don't think Italian football was ever off the map, it's in the Top 3 with regards to generated revenues. And there are many football stars playing in the Seria-A that are known around the world.
The fact that Milan won the CL and the fact the Juve will return will make it grow even more next season.
For me the past year has proven that Italian football is the best in the world. There has been many critics and nay-sayers but the fact is that the talent and class from Italian football is unsurpassed and will only get better.
If we look at the U-21 Italian team we can clearly see the future is packed with superstars. Can't wait to see them develop into champions.
Not to mention the likely return of Genoa and Napoli to Serie A, certainly making the league more competitive than the likes of Ascoli and Messina. De Laurentis, Napoli's owner, has promised to spend money and get them back in Europe in 2-3 years.
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If we look at the U-21 Italian team we can clearly see the future is packed with superstars. Can't wait to see them develop into champions.
I've been more interested in watching the u21s than the senior team lately, they're extremely talented and exciting.
For me the past year has proven that Italian football is the best in the world.
And that is why attendance keeps dropping in Italy, despite low ticket prices. People are judging with their feet and wallets.
German football may not have all the talents that they do in Italy, but at least they know how to have fun. I will say that Serie A is the best in the world when they take care of their other problems.
First of all, stadiums in Italy are a disaster. I am mostly familiar with Tuscany and I can say that both Fiorentina and Siena play in stadiums that totally suck. Fiorentina's stadium is just this big concrete block. All bleachers, no seats, no cover, no atmosphere. Most disturbing however is Siena's stadium. It is basically in the center of town, down in this little valley and the surroundings are incredible. The stadium however is another story. There is one permanent covered stand, another uncovered stand and the rest is temporary metal bleachers and the seating across the whole stadium is bleachers. It is really extremely disappointing for a town as affluent as Siena. Plus, the absurdity that even a club like Siena has lunatic ultras is crazy.
The fact is Serie A is always on the verge of self-destruction. Whether it is scandals involving accounting, match fixing, gambling, drugs, whatever. It is always the same and it never changes. The facilities are in desperate need of investment and EURO 2012 should have gone to Italy and given them the opportunity to invest in better facilities. Now they are going to have to do it on their own.
How Italian soccer came back on the Map 
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