Italy becomes sick man of European club soccer
China Daily | Updated: 2011-08-24 07:59
ROME - Having once been the major power in European and world club soccer, Italy is rapidly becoming the sick man of Europe in footballing terms.
Only 10 years ago, Italy topped the UEFA country rankings but after Schalke 04 beat reigning champion Inter Milan in the Champions League quarter-finals last season, it dropped below Germany to fourth and lost a place in the Champions League.
It has been a remarkably swift decline for the once all-conquering Italy which has seen it's economic fortunes suffer as problems mount on the pitch.
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