“We Must Limit The Number Of Games Played To Safeguard The Health Of The Players”
Written By Onyeka Daniel
Recently, the clubs in Italy all voted against the move by Juventus, Inter Milan, AC Milan and Roma to reduce the number of teams playing in the Italian Serie A from 20 to 18, but according to Milan President Paolo Scaroni, it is a move that is ‘inevitable’.
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‘We must limit the number of games played to safeguard players and clubs.’ The plan was proposed by the Federation (FIGC) with support from the three biggest clubs in Italy, but rejected by the rest of the Lega Serie A last week.
Nonetheless, Scaroni remains confident that it is only a matter of time before Serie A is cut down from 20 clubs to 18. “It is all about the number of games that we play,” the Milan chief told reporters ahead of a UEFA lunch for tonight’s Europa League play-off against Rennes.
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“We must limit the number of games played to safeguard the health of the players, who are also the assets of the club. Seeing as international competitions keep growing, both for FIFA and the Champions League, if at the end of the day we put together all the fixtures between cup competitions, domestic and international tournaments, there are too many games.
“Personally, I feel that this reduction is an inevitable path, it will happen because it has to happen. I also do not forget that Italian football had its greatest moment when Serie A had 18 teams.”
The Italian top flight had 18 clubs for many years until expanding to 20 in the 2004-05 campaign. That was not a strategic decision, but one made in an emergency to avoid legal action from Catania, who were suing over relegation and promotion over a confusing lack of clarity on whether certain players had sat out bans or not.
It resulted In Serie B expanding to 24 teams in 2002-03 and in a knock-on effect Serie A moved to 20 a year later, Serie B dropping to 22. With the number of games played by top clubs expected to increase, it is only a matter of time before this issue will be revisited again.
Meanwhile…
Former coach Arrigo Sacchi explained why Milan have ‘three reasons for regret’ following their recent work in the transfer market. The Rossoneri have struggled to recapture the magic since winning the Scudetto in the 2021-22 season, with their work in the transfer market upsetting the supporters, leading to much frustration with owner Gerry Cardinale and RedBird.
Milan unexpectedly cashed in on local hero Sandro Tonali last summer, selling him to Newcastle United, and their decision to sack Paolo Maldini also generated concern amongst fans, with many believing the former defender was pushing for a more ambitious and less financially focused project.
The Rossoneri did spend fairly heavily in the summer transfer window but were far quieter in last month’s market, not bringing in a new centre back or striker despite hopes. Writing for La Gazzetta dello Sport, Sacchi analysed Milan’s work in the transfer market, highlighting three specific examples where they went wrong.
“The wonder of Brahim Diaz with Real Madrid in the Champions League, the constant growth of Charles De Ketelaere with Atalanta, the increasingly decisive role of Calhanoglu with league leaders Inter. “These are three reasons for regret for Milan, there’s no doubts about that, because they were Rossoneri players who, for one reason or another, left.
“To these, if desired, we could also add Kessie, who has just won the Africa Cup of Nations, and Paqueta, who plays permanently with Brazil. “The last two elements mentioned, however, in my opinion don’t belong to the larger category. Kessie has a lot of strength, a lot of determination, he was useful to Milan in the Scudetto season, but he doesn’t seem like a phenomenon to me and at Barcelona, where he wanted to go at all costs, I don’t think he’s enchanted me.
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“On Diaz the matter is quite simple. If Real Madrid lend you a player and see that he is improving and can be useful to them, it’s logical that they’ll take him back. Ancelotti explained to me that he has grown a lot in Italy, also from a physical point of view. “It means that at Milan they worked well on him.
“The reasoning to be made about De Ketelaere is different. He is playing very well for Atalanta, after a difficult season with the Rossoneri. This means that Maldini was right, he had wanted him at all costs and considered him a potential champion. “The fact is that you need to be patient with foreigners, and instead us Italians always demand the best without giving them time to integrate.
“Finally, Calhanoglu is a real regret, perhaps the biggest. He’s proving to be a regista of the highest level. At Milan he played as an attacking midfielder, at Inter he is the playmaker and is at the centre of the move. “He has character, vision of the game and a precise and powerful shot. Yes, for Milan he is to be included in the list of regrets as well.” He further added.
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