Four years is often referred to as a cycle in football, particularly in the international game.
It has been within that time span since an Italian club last won Europe’s greatest prize, the UEFA Champions League.
In those four seasons since Jose Mourinho’s Inter lifted the trophy on a glorious evening in Madrid, what have Serie A clubs done in the Champions League? Nothing.
The best that Italian sides have mustered since are three quarter-final appearances, Inter a year after their triumph, AC Milan in 2012, and Juventus in 2013. Not one side from Italy made it into the last eight in the 2013/14 campaign.
During this time, no Serie A side has looked like adding to the 12 European crowns conquered by Italian football.
The question ahead of the 2014/15 season is can this dismal record come to an end?
Firstly it is necessary to analyse to state of the three Italian contenders in the Champions League, starting with Juventus.
The Italian champions have endured a difficult summer. They unexpectedly lost their talismanic coach Antonio Conte and appointed Massimiliano Allegri as his replacement. They have (so far) failed to greatly strengthen their squad and could well lose star man Arturo Vidal before the end of the transfer window.
Although the Bianconeri have dominated Serie A for the last three years, this has not equated to success on the European stage. Two years ago they were comfortably beaten by eventual champions Bayern Munich at the quarter-final stage, and last year unexpectedly fell at the first hurdle, exiting the competition at the group stage.
With a troublesome pre-season and no major additions to the squad, Juve will once again find it hard to make a significant impact in Europe. Prediction: Quarter-finals (at best)
Next are Roma. The Giallorossi took the league by storm last season, finishing second and surpassing all expectations. They have also had a positive off-season and have been able to bring in the likes of Ashley Cole and Juan Iturbe in order to add depth to their squad. However the the summer transfer window could still close with their best defender leaving, as Mehdi Benatia has been continually linked with a move away from the capital.
Yet despite the clear positivity around the Stadio Olimpico, in terms of taking everyone by surprise in Europe, will be tough. Having missed out on European football in recent times, Roma’s coefficient points have dropped. This means Rudi Garcia and his men will very likely fall in a tough group, but on the other hand this season could also very well be a stepping stone to greater things for Roma in the Champions League. Prediction: Round of 16 (at best).
Finally there is Napoli. Rafael Benitez’s side have had a stable pre-season, with no major exits or entrances at the club. Last season was a mixed bag for the Neapolitan club. They failed to challenge for the Serie A title but did win the Coppa Italia in May, their second triumph in the competition in three years.
That winning habit, however, has not been replicated in the Champions League. The best they have mustered in recent times has been a Round of 16 appearance in 2012 which they lost, after extra time, to eventual winners Chelsea. Napoli have a difficult playoff match against Athletic Bilbao this year however, before reaching the group stage. Poor results away from the San Paolo have cost Napoli in recent years and with that in mind, do not expect the Partenopei to challenge the big boys of Europe. Prediction: Round of 16 (at best)
The big clubs of Europe have all strengthened this summer, adding to the task Italian clubs must face in this season’s Champions League. Barcelona and Real Madrid have spent big in order to capture some of Brazil’s World Cup stars, with the likes of Luis Suarez, James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos all moving to the Barcelona and Real Madrid. England’s finest have bought stellar talent from La Liga as Chelsea have signed Cesc Fabregas, Filipe Luis and Diego Costa, and while former Udinese man Alexis Sanchez has joined Arsenal.
PSG have managed to keep hold of their stars while adding another to their ranks with the signing of David Luiz. Bayern Munich have added a proven goal-scorer to their side, in the form of Robert Lewandowski.
Serie A ruled the continent during the 1990s. Today however, adding to its three quarter-finalists in the last four seasons would be seen as something of a success for this fallen giant of the European game.
Follow Richard Hinman on Twitter at: @RichardHinman
