Italian Football Needs To Reignite Love For The Game, Del Piero Says

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Italian teams face serious questions in Europe, with Alessandro Del Piero warning that clubs must rediscover their passion for football. Inter’s shock Champions League exit to Bodo/Glimt, combined with poor league phase results, has highlighted a wider decline across Serie A contenders.

Can I cry? It's a struggle situation, legend Del Piero told CBS before Inter's loss on Tuesday. The comment underlined Del Piero’s concern that recent setbacks are part of a longer trend, not a sudden slump, and that Italian football has ignored clear warning signs.

The 2025-26 Champions League league phase brought more disappointment. No Italian club finished inside the top eight positions, reducing their protection in the draw and exposing deeper issues. Reigning Serie A champions Napoli ended a flat campaign in 30th place and exited before the knockout rounds.

Juventus also added to the bleak European picture. Juventus lost 5-2 away to Galatasaray in the first leg of their play-off tie, leaving progression in serious doubt. That result came despite Juventus traditionally being one of Italy’s most stable and ambitious clubs on the continental stage.

Inter’s elimination against Bodo/Glimt was especially symbolic. The Norwegian side knocked Inter out in the play-off round, denying a return to the final. It marked the first time a Norwegian team had removed an Italian club in European Cup or Champions League knockout play.

This outcome followed a previous setback for Serie A against the same opponents. Bodo/Glimt had already beaten Lazio in the 2024-25 Europa League quarter-finals, but that was not a Champions League tie. Inter’s defeat therefore created a new low point for Italy’s record against Norwegian clubs.

Italian teams, finances and youth development

Del Piero linked these European struggles to wider structural problems at home. It is the result of what has happened in Italy in the past years. The level of investment is low. Other markets have become much, much bigger than us. Youth systems?

Del Piero pointed towards talent development and player retention. We will see Borussia Dortmund play Atalanta with two Italian guys [born in] 2008. Excuse me? What's going on? Why don't we have these Italians, why are they playing for Dortmund? That example raised concerns about scouting and youth planning.

Financial control was another key theme for Del Piero. I believe that, financially, our teams need to be more regulated. Not having so much debt. We don't [all] have owners, like Juventus have, who write a big cheque at the end of the season.

For Del Piero, the response must involve culture as well as balance sheets. We need to find again the love for the game, not only on the pitch. We need to be more responsible for what we show the public, there are so many controversies sometimes. We need to find tradition, not only for young footballers.