'Serie A could revert to 18 teams'

By Football Italia staff

Serie A chief Gaetano Micciche has challenged Milan and Inter to rival Juventus for the Scudetto and confirmed the top flight could be reduced to 18 teams.

Serie A was enlarged to 20 teams in 2004 but has recently faced calls to be reduced back to 18 sides for the purpose of making the League more competitive, while a Milan club has not won Serie A since 2011 – when Max Allegri’s Rossoneri were crowned champions.

“There’s great interest in the Champions and Europa League, with many teams tightly packed together,” Micciche told Radio Anch’io Sport.

“That will allow for a high level of interest from fans and pundits. What interest is there in a competition dominated by only one team?

“Alternation is always a quality and an element of strength in any sector, not just in football. I’m convinced that the two Milan clubs will have to be leading lights.

“Their presence [in a title race] historically results in more teams winning the Scudetto, without taking anything away from what Napoli and Roma have done in making life difficult for Juventus in recent years.

“All the top European Leagues, barring the Bundesliga, have 20 teams. The last federal council approved an initiative which allowed the Lega a 'golden share’ to decide, if it wanted, to reduce the number of teams from 20 to 18.

“We’ll make a decision at the assembly once we weigh up advantages and disadvantages, but it’s great of the FIGC to let each League decide for themselves which is the most suitable format.”

Micchiche then commented on the farfetched demand made by Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis to fine teams who finished bottom.

“Obviously I don’t agree with De Laurentiis’ sentiments,” he continued.

“That’s because the charm of our League also comes from the participation of smaller clubs.

“It happens in every sport, even in the 100 metres at the Olympics, that the last ones are a big distance away and less competitive.”

Watch Serie A live in the UK on Premier Sports for just £9.99 per month including live LaLiga, Eredivisie, Scottish Cup Football and more. Visit: https://www.premiersports.com/subscribenow