Why Italian giants keep falling short in Europe | OneFootball

Italian clubs’ recent Champions League campaigns have been marked by a familiar pattern: remarkable runs to the final, only to fall at the last hurdle. Juventus, in particular, epitomise this trend, having reached the showpiece twice in the past decade but finishing as runners-up on both occasions.

Paolo Condò, writing in Corriere della Sera, characterises this phenomenon as Italian teams “smashing against a glass ceiling.” He points out that, despite valiant efforts and memorable achievements, Italian clubs are consistently denied the final breakthrough, typically by opponents with far greater spending power. Condò notes: “Our teams have reached the final four times, twice Juventus and twice Inter, without ever winning. It’s as if we run into a glass ceiling; with our budgets, we manage, through memorable feats, to reach the penultimate step now and then. But the last one is precluded to us, only the big spenders win: the clubs who have beaten Juve and Inter are Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester City and PSG.”

Since Juventus’ last Champions League triumph in 1996, European glory has proved elusive. The club’s recent finals — in 2015 and 2017 — ended with defeat to Barcelona and Real Madrid, respectively. Both opponents represented the very summit of European wealth and talent, underlining the financial gulf that has widened over recent seasons.

This disparity in resources, Condò argues, goes beyond player quality, influencing every aspect of preparation and squad depth. Italian sides, including Juventus, have assembled competitive line-ups, but are forced to rely on tactical discipline and collective spirit to bridge the gap. Eventually, the relentless depth and star power of Europe’s richest clubs prove decisive.

For Juventus, the frustration is particularly acute. While their paths to the finals have included scalps of high-profile sides and tactical masterclasses against stronger adversaries, the inability to lift the trophy remains a point of contention for both supporters and the club hierarchy. Each close call only heightens the sense of hitting structural limitations that go beyond the control of the squad and technical staff.

Looking forward, Juventus find themselves at a crossroads. Club executives and sporting directors face the dual challenge of reshaping the squad amidst financial constraints while also maintaining a side capable of deep European runs. Unless the landscape shifts — either through changes to UEFA regulations or a substantial boost in resources — Juventus and their Italian peers may have to settle for admirable showings and occasional near-misses rather than outright triumph.

Source: Bianconera News