After decades of neglect, sexist biases, widespread irony and institutional underdevelopment, many are discovering women's football. Not yet the general public (at the play-off between Juventus and Brescia there were less than four thousand people, the game was worth at least double if it had been promoted according to the marketing and communication criteria), but certainly that part of private management that, inspired belatedly to the great European realities of Germany and France, he understood that women's football can also be a small-big deal.
So, inaugurated by Fiorentina, who won the championship last year, the sporting title of the Serie A started. Partly to support, partly to replace amateur clubs that, despite having made the history of women's football in Italy , I am no longer able to move forward with my own strength.
After Fiorentina, which had taken the title of the company with the same name holding only the best and withdrawing high-level players from the market, last year they moved Atalanta, Chievo, Sassuolo and Empoli who have supported the Mozzanica respectively ( Atalanta), Valpolicella (Chievo), Reggiana (Sassuolo) and Castelfranco (Empoli Ladies).
Juventusinstead, he acquired the title from Cuneo and, except for a player (Simona Sodini), has set up a new team going to take the best from the other clubs. The president's Brescia Giuseppe Cesari was the most looted (five elements), but also other companies have suffered substantial losses. If only for the quality (not the number) of the players who changed the jacket.
Obviously the bianconeri company did not stop at this. He has hired coach Rita Guarino (from the National Under 17), a former high level player, and has imposed a sort of professionalism both in the working methods and in the organization. The girls were paid (a little) even in the other clubs. Juve have changed (for better) the salaries, always within the threshold imposed on amateurs and structures, the managerial roles are occupied by professionals, all dedicated to full-time.
On the road traced by Fiorentina and Juventus, other clubs are moving. Inter and Milan first, probably Rome, while in Serie A the Tavagnacco, Verona and Pink Bari remain "independent" realities.
However, one can not ask what would happen if Inter acquired the Orobica (newly promoted in Serie A), Milan will incorporate Brescia and Roma la Res Roma.
Can they do like Juve? At a company level, yes, certainly, but not for footballers. Apart from Milan, who could almost confirm the vice-champions of Italy, all the others where they would find quality elements to be engaged?
Perhaps only abroad (membership is free for the community, limited to two for non-EU), certainly not in Italy where the catchment area is very limited. An example that I hope will help you understand: Inter, who arrived behind the Orobica in the last Serie B championship, can make a fusion, take a few four or five good players abroad, but can hardly undermine the strongest teams (Juventus, Milan / Brescia, Fiorentina) that already count Italian national teams.
What can happen again?
A two or three-speed championship. Rich of brands in the men's series, but poor in national technical content, in spite of an Italy that, after more than twenty years, is about to qualify for the next world championship (decisive match the 8 June in Florence with the Portugal).
With all this I mean that it is not enough to have the most important male companies willing to invest in women, players are needed that certainly are growing, but still there are not.
Giancarlo Padovan
