In the autumn of 2025, the landscape of Italian football presents a mosaic of fervent passion, shrewd pragmatism, and lingering questions about its place on the global stage. From the disgruntled stands of Turin to the tactical battlegrounds of Serie A, and the perpetual quest for world-class talent in the Azzurri, a seasoned observer like Carlo Nesti offers a penetrating glimpse into the complexities that define the beautiful game in Italy.
The Soul of Torino: A Brewing Rebellion
Few narratives in Italian football are as poignant as that of Torino FC, a club steeped in a glorious past, yet perpetually battling a present that seems to disappoint its faithful. Nesti’s analysis paints a vivid picture of a fanbase pushed to the brink, where “diffidence, skepticism, dismay, and anger” have carved a deep chasm between the supporters and President Urbano Cairo.
The core of the issue, as Nesti points out, lies in the recurring summer ritual of selling the club`s “crown jewels”—players like Milinkovic Savic and Ricci, following in the footsteps of Buongiorno and Bellanova. This strategy, while perhaps financially “virtuous” in Cairo`s own balance sheets, starkly contrasts with the historical grandeur of a club boasting seven Scudetti. The fans, exasperated by promises of greatness never truly fulfilled, find themselves grappling with the harsh reality that their team is managed more like a business asset than a sporting ambition.
Nesti muses on the idea of a compromise: protesting the president outside the stadium while rallying behind the team within. A pragmatic suggestion, perhaps, but one that might not resonate with a fanbase that feels betrayed to the point of declaring, “Cairo has taken away even our hope” or “Cairo is our worst misfortune after Superga.” It`s a striking reminder that for some clubs, football is not merely a sport; it`s a secular religion, and failing to cultivate its values with passion is an unforgivable sin.
Juventus`s Conundrum: Searching for a Stable Core
Moving across town to the black and white half of Turin, Juventus finds itself entangled in its own set of challenges. Nesti`s observations on the Bianconeri reveal a team struggling for consistency, plagued by a “draw-itis” that hints at deeper structural and tactical issues. Coach Igor Tudor, described as a “traditional, pragmatic, and results-oriented” manager, faces the unenviable task of guiding a squad that, by Nesti`s estimation, still largely comprises the “average value” players from the previous season.
The recurring theme for Juventus is a midfield “blanket that is too short,” a stark market error leaving the team vulnerable. With only a few “indispensable” players like Bremer, Yildiz, Locatelli, and Thuram, the absence of even two can render the team a “castle of cards.” Nesti’s critique of the transfer market is sharp, questioning the efficacy of new signings and the wisdom of having three strikers without a clear hierarchy or consistent goal-scoring threat. His proposals, even if fantastical, for a 4-3-3 formation underscore the desperate need for a robust midfield and a more adaptable tactical approach.
The impatience of the fans, with hashtags like #Tudorout emerging early in the season, clashes with Nesti`s call for patience, urging a proper evaluation of the squad`s raw material before laying blame solely on the coach. Yet, the persistent struggle to find a “permanent center of gravity” suggests that Juventus`s current identity is one of creation and destruction, scoring and conceding—a thrilling but ultimately unsustainable path to consistent success.
The Azzurri`s Quest for Gold: A National Reckoning
Beyond the club rivalries, the state of the Italian National Team, the Azzurri, remains a constant point of national discussion. Nesti`s assessment in late 2025 is a sobering one: “Italy does not `awaken`,” he states, implying that Italian football is not in a golden period. His list of potential national players, graded meticulously, reveals a scarcity of truly world-class talent, with Gianluigi Donnarumma standing out as a rare “8” in a sea of “6.5s” and “7s.”
The challenge for coach Gennaro Gattuso is monumental: to assemble a competitive squad where individual brilliance is rare, and success will hinge on “current form, correct tactical assembly, and personal and collective motivation.” It`s a call for collective spirit and tactical ingenuity to compensate for a perceived lack of individual flair, reminiscent of past Italian triumphs built on defensive solidity and opportunistic attacking.
The Transfer Market`s Mixed Bag: Hits and Misses
Nesti`s annual market report provides a broader snapshot of Serie A`s commercial health and strategic choices. While clubs like Napoli receive a resounding “8” for their astute acquisitions, integrating players like Hojlund and De Bruyne, others lag. Torino, predictably, scores a low “5,” a perpetual narrative of “balance sheets yes, relaunch probably no.” Juventus, despite some important sales, receives a modest “6.5,” cautiousness prevailing over bold investment. The market overall reflects a league where financial prudence often dictates ambition, and only a select few appear to be making significant strides in squad development.
Echoes of `82: The Golden Age vs. Modern Realities
Perhaps the most evocative piece of Nesti`s analysis is his nostalgic recounting of Italy`s 1982 World Cup victory. Through the eyes of Sandra, a young woman defiantly seeking solitude in a deserted Turin, Nesti paints a vibrant picture of a nation gripped by a singular, unifying event. The collective roar at Paolo Rossi`s goal, the “earthquake-like tremor” shaking apartment walls, the spontaneous eruption of joy – these are the indelible marks of a bygone era.
That 1982 triumph, Nesti argues, was a “perfect” event, occurring at a time when players earned well, but “not too much,” and television coverage was extensive, yet “not too much.” The divide between the spectacle and its audience, between players and fans, was not yet the abyss it is today. In an age of sophisticated remotes, diversified content, and the internet “devouring” traditional media, replicating such a universal “cosmic embrace” seems an almost impossible feat. Sandra, now a grandmother, no longer seeks to go “against the current,” perhaps a metaphor for a footballing world that, too, has evolved from its simpler, more communal past.
Conclusion: Italian Football`s Enduring Passion
Carlo Nesti`s multifaceted analysis of Italian football in late 2025 reveals a league and a nation grappling with its identity. It`s a world where historical legacy often clashes with modern financial realities, where tactical dogmatism confronts the need for adaptability, and where the enduring passion of the fans remains the game`s lifeblood, even when that passion boils over into discontent.
Despite the challenges – the frustrated fanbases, the tactical quandaries, the search for new talent – the love for the game in Italy remains undiminished. The echoes of 1982 serve as a powerful reminder of what football can be: a force for unity, pure joy, and collective memory. As Serie A continues to evolve, its journey will undoubtedly be one of balancing this rich past with a pragmatic, often challenging, future, all while striving for that elusive “center of gravity” that brings both success and serenity.
