Chiellini: Italy is falling behind

Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini is hoping that there will soon be an end to the Serie A strike which he says is causing a crisis in Italian football.

The start of the Serie A season has been delayed with players and football authorities at odds over a collective bargaining agreement that expired at the end of last season.

Chiellini said the one thing the two parties did agree on was football in Italy was lagging behind that of its European neighbours.

“I wish we will find a solution and I wish the agreement will be signed, that’s what I hope,” Chiellini said.

“I also hope we will be more united with the Lega and the presidents, because they are the ones who make the world of football go on and probably trying to build something together we would find better solutions and bring Italian football in again; it’s surely going through a crisis.”

“As I’ve said before, the common aim we share with Lega and the presidents is we both want to bring Italian football back to its best in Europe.”

“After what happened to Roma and Palermo, it’s the first time we start European competitions with five teams and that’s quite a warning bell.”

“We already had some over the last years and I think and hope we won’t go any further down.”

“We need to change the rhythm, Portugal and France are not so far away in the European ranking and Portugal for example was with three teams in the semi-finals last year.”

“Three out of four means the general situation is evolving. We need to find a way to turn it around.”