Football right now is at its peak of glory. The fame, the money, the technology – however it has become so normal that the original routes of football have seemed to disappear. For example, Liverpool and the infamous Kop end which is nowadays is just as intimidating as those in the family end. From a personal view, from what I have seen going to games up and down the country, the clubs in England have lost that connection with their supporters. But not across Italy. Other countries of course have that, however, that is just one reason to why Serie B is the best league that you aren’t watching.
First of all, the fans. The fans have an unconditional love for their club and the club treat the fans with great respect, not like customers. Ticket prices are immensely cheap allowing the working class to affordably attend the games of their beloved club. Where they are not scammed but rewarded for investing their hard worked money into the club. The football is a culture for the people. A proper culture, not just West Ham fans scattered across London with Fred Perry jackets. A culture where the football club can define and affect the town of the club. Financially, football can really boost cities across the country. You, the fans, make that happen. Not a TV deal. Furthermore, the stadiums are built to invite for their to be chants, pyro etc. Imagine seeing that in a 37 thousand capacity Stadio Renzo Barbera, home of the team at the top of the league Palermo.
The league includes some big teams too, which brings in high numbers of fans all creating a hostile atmosphere. including eight time Serie A winners Pro Vercelli, Palermo are the team who world class striker Paulo Dybala (and Kyle Lafferty… no?) used to play for and Parma who are one of just thirteen Italian clubs to have won multiple major titles.
But the main thing that you are missing out on is the competitiveness. Ten points separates first and 10th, 8 points separate 12th and 22nd (lst place). In addition, just 19 points separate the top from the bottom this differs to the top flights in other countries where the title race is already over in the top flight of; Germany, Spain, England ad France. But if you thought Serie A is competitive, well, Serie B is by far one of the most competitive divisions in the world right now. To put it in perspective, the stereotypical ‘most competitive league in the world’ has an 13 point gap difference between first placed Manchester City and second placed Chelsea – plus City have a game in hand.
On the other hand, the dark side of Serie B is that once promoted, a near miracle is needed to stay up. The power Serie A has over Serie B is huge, which differs from the championship to the Premier League or the Segunda to La Liga, for example. Italian club Benevento are currently experiencing the struggle this season, a club who were promoted via the playoffs, have recorded four points in nineteen games. The chairman Oreste Vigorito blamed witchcraft for their bad run, but truth be told with a lack of funding, the power of Serie A has been too good for them this time around. Unless the league structure in Italy changes and it is made more even then the struggles of promoted teams will continue in the Serie A.
Tacticomotion 