The Fall of Italian football

Italy s 2006 World Cup victory marked the end of its footballing dominance, as the Calciopoli scandal that same year led to Juventus s demotion and weakened Serie A financially and competitively. Despite AC Milan and Inter s Champions League wins in 2007 and 2010, Serie A has since struggled in European competitions, losing top talent to the wealthier English Premier League. Infrastructure issues and outdated tactics have further hindered progress, along with a decline in youth development. Resistance to modernization persists, and while Italy won Euro 2020, it has performed poorly in World Cups, failing to qualify in 2018 and 2022, highlighting a significant fall from grace.