02/06/2025
Italian managers have a rich legacy in European football, but recent Champions League finals have painted a frustrating picture for them.
Massimiliano Allegri with Juventus (2015 and 2017) and Simone Inzaghi with Inter Milan (2023 and 2025) all reached the grand stage, only to fall short. These managers are tactically astute, often praised for their defensive organization and game management.
However, in the modern Champions League, where high-intensity pressing and attacking fluidity dominate, their more conservative approaches can struggle against the relentless pace and creativity of teams like Real Madrid or Manchester City.
The issue may not lie in the quality of Italian coaching, but rather in the evolving demands of elite European football. While Italian managers excel at structure and discipline, finals often demand boldness, adaptability, and moments of individual brilliance, areas where their teams have sometimes lacked the edge. It’s not a question of tactical inferiority, but perhaps a need to evolve stylistically.
Until then, Italian managers may continue to reach the summit, only to find the final step just out of reach.
