>
Calcio Debate: Does Money Equal Success?
By Anna Italia
Here is an interesting article suggested by Kenntak after reading it in goal.com
Do you agree that money equal success in soccer, especially in the Italian Serie A?
Carlo Garganese, author of the note, says:
"What is clear straight away is that the top four annual spenders on wages - Milan, Inter, Juventus and Roma - are also the top four in the league table. While their positions may not be identical, they are all set to qualify for the lucrative Champions League (Milan are still to confirm their place), thus proving many peoples theory that we are in a vicious circle where the rich just get richer, which thus translates into success and trophies.
Up to here, I agree with Garganese. Milan, especially, spends million to see the team at their maximum level in International competition. This also is reflected this year when Milan won the 2007 FIFA World Clup, the 2007 UEFA Cup and so on.... Juventus, is well known, that they also target the maximum and spend accordingly.
Here is an interesting article suggested by Kenntak after reading it in goal.com
Do you agree that money equal success in soccer, especially in the Italian Serie A?
Carlo Garganese, author of the note, says:"What is clear straight away is that the top four annual spenders on wages - Milan, Inter, Juventus and Roma - are also the top four in the league table. While their positions may not be identical, they are all set to qualify for the lucrative Champions League (Milan are still to confirm their place), thus proving many peoples theory that we are in a vicious circle where the rich just get richer, which thus translates into success and trophies.
Up to here, I agree with Garganese. Milan, especially, spends million to see the team at their maximum level in International competition. This also is reflected this year when Milan won the 2007 FIFA World Clup, the 2007 UEFA Cup and so on.... Juventus, is well known, that they also target the maximum and spend accordingly.
| Wage Ranking (Euros spent per season on wages, based on figures at the beginning of the campaign) 1) Milan 120 million 2) Inter 110 3) Juve 97 4) Roma 59 5) Fiorentina 30 6) Palermo 25 7) Sampdoria 24 8) Torino 23 9) Genoa 21 10) Napoli 20 11) Catania 19 12) Lazio 18 13) Livorno 15 14 Udinese 14 15) Parma 14 16 Reggina 13 17) Empoli 12 18) Siena 12 19) Atalanta 12 20) Cagliari 11 |
League Ranking (after 36 games) 1) Inter 81 points 2) Roma 78 3) Juventus 70 4) Milan 61 5) Fiorentina 60 6) Udinese 57 7) Sampdoria 56 8) Genoa 48 9) Napoli 47 10) Palermo 46 11) Atalanta 45 12) Siena 42 13) Lazio 40 14) Cagliari 38 15) Torino 37 16) Reggina 36 17) Catania 35 18) Parma 34 19) Empoli 33 20) Livorno 30 |
Bottom line, I think money partially equal success in the Serie A.... not always. For example, INTER invest millions but they don't have international success in the big competitions compared to Milan and Juventus. Inter invest millions in their players but either they get the wrong players or they have a psychological block when it comes to shine in "L'Europa che conta," meaning the Champions League.
According to Garganese, there can be no doubting that there is a definite link between salary and success, particularly with regards to the top four, who spend so much more than the rest of the league it is unbelievable.
When you consider that Milan's two highest earners, Kaka and Dida, together earn pretty much the same in a year that the whole Cagliari squad does together (11m), then you realise just how difficult it is for the smaller sides to compete with the big boys.
I think "Money and Psychology" equal success in the Italian Soccer Serie A. You have to have GUTS to believe you can be a big team, and this my friends, have seen only by Milan and Juventus so far.
Complete Italian Soccer Results Serie A Standings/ Italian Football League Standings / Serie A Classifica / Standings and Results / Serie A Top Scorers / Serie A Fixtures and Standings/ Serie A Table 
What do you think? Is it really that Money Equal Success in the Serie A?
I was surprised to see how large the disparity is between the big clubs and small clubs in terms of wages paid. What really impresses me are the clubs that can do great without spending the big bucks--like Udinese and Atalanta. Fiorentina is also impressive, only paying 1/4 of what Milan pays, but battling Milan for the last Champions League spot. Roma pays half of what AC Milan pays, but is 17 points ahead.
I see why Lazio has fallen. Their place in the standings is where they should be considering the wages they pay.
This topic is a tough one. If wages were more even, the league would be even more competitive and the same teams would not be at the top all of the time. At the same time, the top Serie A teams would not be as potent on the international stage.
By the way, it is my understanding that Chelsea has paid 250 mil in wages!!! That even makes AC Milan look cheap!!!
Reply to this
It is a tough topic like Kenntak mentioned. I hate to admit that you are right on your conclusion that Inter invest in players but does not equal to success in international competitions. This is why I want Milan in the Champs so we can play against you as a test. Inter must learn to think big.
We are spending 110 million only 10 milion less than Milan and Juventus 97, it does not make sense that we are only on top in the local league. If I based my judgement on this crude result than I will say that money does not equal success, but your psychological factor does weigh more.
Reply to this