Di Canio: “Inter is the best Italian team, but in Europe it is no longer competitive”

The performance of Italian teams in the Champions League has reopened a debate that, according to Di Canio, has roots that go back well before the last two European matchdays. The former striker spoke to Sky Sport microphones, commenting on the record of the four Serie A representatives in the competition.

“We shouldn’t focus only on these two bad nights to talk about the problems of Italian football. I was saying this 5-6 years ago and I was seen as the bad guy,” Di Canio began. “There is a lack of talent, infrastructure, money. The matches in recent days have shown us that Inter, by far our best team, is no longer competitive in Europe. Not just this season but since last year when they were eliminated by Bodo/Glimt.”

During his remarks, the former striker also touched on the other Italian teams. “Roma would have deserved to win for the football they showed against Real. Como should have fun, but here too there is a particular narrative.”

Di Canio then broadened the discussion to a deeper theme, that of the relationship between expectations and reality in Italian football: “We try to exorcise mediocrity, but then hope also becomes arrogance because we remain attached to the prestige of our clubs.”