Italy's stock rises
Monday, May 5, 2003
Article summary
With three sides in the semi-finals, Italy has had a year to remember in Europe.
Article body
By Sergio Di Cesare
The success of Juventus FC, Internazionale FC and AC Milan in reaching the UEFA Champions League semi-finals makes this an unprecedented year in the history of Italian football.
Hat-trick heroes
Never before has Serie A had three representatives at this late stage of Europe's premier club competition. By eliminating two Spanish teams in the quarter-finals, Italy's finest have emulated the achievements of the Primera División flag-bearers - FC Barcelona, Real Madrid CF and Valencia CF - who provided three of the last four in 1999/00.
Madrid threat
If one from Juve, Inter or Milan now goes on to claim Italy's tenth European Champion Clubs' Cup, then this continental drift could mark a sea change. Standing in their way, however, are the holders - a Real Madrid CF side with as many Champions' Cups in their locker as the Italian trio can muster between them.
Spanish succession
Serie A champions-elect Juventus will face Madrid in one semi-final, the Milan clubs meet in the other. Juve last won the competition in 1996, beating AFC Ajax in Rome to claim the trophy for a second time. But they then lost successive finals against BV Borussia Dortmund and Madrid, the latter defeat heralding a new era of Spanish dominance.
Barren years
While Italian teams failed to reach the quarter-finals for three years running, between 1999/00 and 2001/02, Spain has had at least one representative in each of the finals since Manchester United FC beat FC Bayern München in 1999. Madrid were winners again in 2000 and 2002 to take their tally of victories to nine; Valencia lost out in 2000 and 2001.
Dream team
Against this backdrop, it makes sense that four of Vicente del Bosque's likely lineup against Juventus should have chosen to leave Italian football to seek greater glory with Florentino Pérez's dream team - namely, Zinedine Zidane, Roberto Carlos, Iván Helguera and, most recently, Ronaldo.
No breakthrough
Not even Milan, five-times European champions, could break the Spanish stranglehold. They were regular finalists in the late 1980s and early 1990s, while two-times winners Inter, so successful in the UEFA Cup, last appeared in the final in 1972.
On the rise
Hence the talk, amplified by the Azzurri's FIFA World Cup exit at the hands of the Korean Republic, of Italy losing their second place in the UEFA rankings at the end of the current season. That, however, has proved fanciful thanks to the performances of the big three, and instead of being caught by England and Germany, Italy are making up ground on top-ranked Spain.
A great achievement
Franco Carraro, president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) acknowledged this fact when he recently sent out letters of congratulation to the presidents of Juventus, Inter and Milan. "This achievement," he said, "is down to the sacrifices and organisational abilities of their club officials, the hard work of their technical staff, and the excellent showings of their players."
Happy days
Such has been the contribution of Juve, Inter and Milan that Italy looks certain to keep four teams in the Champions League at least until the 2005/06 campaign. The present season may or may not end with a Serie A club lifting the Champions' Cup. But what is beyond doubt is that this has been a good year for Italian football.
