Italy were the big winners in the latest Champions League carve-up. Mediocre, over-rated, entitled Italy. UEFA’s decision to award the four biggest leagues in Europe four guaranteed entries in the group stage in future will have minimal effect in Spain, England and Germany.
But in Italy it’s a lottery win. At least lottery millionaires have got off their backsides and bought a ticket, though. It’s more than Italian clubs have done in Europe lately.
At the moment, Italy get three Champions League places — except they don’t, because they’re not good enough. They start off with three, end up with two — because the third-placed team is invariably knocked out at the qualifying stage.