[ITA] Coppa Italia 2008/2009 (13 Viewers)
- Thread starter Azzurri7
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It’s a date
Can you imagine the likes of Barletta or Celano facing Juventus or Inter in the knock-out stages of the Coppa Italia? Finally, starting from next season, small teams coming from Serie D or the new Lega Pro [formerly C1 and C2] will be able to meet the giants of Italian football in the national Cup.
This is because of the new formula adopted by the Lega Calcio, which we could describe as the Italian version of the English FA Cup. Being one of the most conservative organisations in the game, the Lega felt a radical change in national competition was needed.
But the fresh version of the Coppa Italia is not the only novel idea for the new season seeing as it came after a fundamental change to the drawing up of the Serie A calendars. The old system was based on the teste di serie rule – a seeding formula – which practically meant that the big teams could not face each other in the first three weeks of the season.
For instance, this year Milan and Roma could have been scheduled to play each other in Week 1. And that is why Fiorentina will be hosting Juventus at the Artemio Franchi on the opening day of 2008-09. But is that good or bad?
From one point of view, it can be argued that it would be in the interest of the game itself if the big teams faced each other further in the season, once they had found a bit of form. However, my opinion is that Serie A, like every other League, is a race and all the teams should start at the same point.
It’s true that they all have to face each other anyway, but having an easy start is a definite advantage. Imagine if in Formula One, Ferrari and McLaren would begin races in pole position just because of their reputation. It wouldn’t be fair, as simple as that, and which is why my congratulations go to the authorities for taking a decision against the big clubs and making it equal for everybody.
Returning to the Coppa Italia, no one liked the old system anyway. This year instead, if a Serie D side manages to go through and play against any Serie A team, then the excitement around the competition will rise dramatically. Give it a few years and we could all soon be talking about the magic of the Italian Cup…
By Serafino Ingardia
Channel 4
Can you imagine the likes of Barletta or Celano facing Juventus or Inter in the knock-out stages of the Coppa Italia? Finally, starting from next season, small teams coming from Serie D or the new Lega Pro [formerly C1 and C2] will be able to meet the giants of Italian football in the national Cup.
This is because of the new formula adopted by the Lega Calcio, which we could describe as the Italian version of the English FA Cup. Being one of the most conservative organisations in the game, the Lega felt a radical change in national competition was needed.
But the fresh version of the Coppa Italia is not the only novel idea for the new season seeing as it came after a fundamental change to the drawing up of the Serie A calendars. The old system was based on the teste di serie rule – a seeding formula – which practically meant that the big teams could not face each other in the first three weeks of the season.
For instance, this year Milan and Roma could have been scheduled to play each other in Week 1. And that is why Fiorentina will be hosting Juventus at the Artemio Franchi on the opening day of 2008-09. But is that good or bad?
From one point of view, it can be argued that it would be in the interest of the game itself if the big teams faced each other further in the season, once they had found a bit of form. However, my opinion is that Serie A, like every other League, is a race and all the teams should start at the same point.
It’s true that they all have to face each other anyway, but having an easy start is a definite advantage. Imagine if in Formula One, Ferrari and McLaren would begin races in pole position just because of their reputation. It wouldn’t be fair, as simple as that, and which is why my congratulations go to the authorities for taking a decision against the big clubs and making it equal for everybody.
Returning to the Coppa Italia, no one liked the old system anyway. This year instead, if a Serie D side manages to go through and play against any Serie A team, then the excitement around the competition will rise dramatically. Give it a few years and we could all soon be talking about the magic of the Italian Cup…
By Serafino Ingardia
Channel 4
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