Former Footballer Alessandro Melli Slams Modern Game: "This Football Makes Me Sick"

The high-octane Champions League semi-final between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, which ended 5-4, has drawn criticism from an unexpected quarter: former Italian footballer Alessandro Melli. While many lauded the match for its attacking flair and goals, Melli expressed a strong aversion to the modern style of play, stating, "This football makes me sick."

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Voi merge împotriva curentului, dar între VAR și un joc care nu mai implică apărare, marcaj sau filtru la mijlocul terenului, fotbalul ăsta mă îmbolnăvește la propriu...

Melli, who played for clubs like Parma, Sampdoria, and AC Milan, voiced his discontent on Facebook, arguing that the game has lost its defensive integrity. He pointed to the influence of VAR and a perceived decline in tactical discipline, particularly in defense and midfield play. "Football today has become the new NBA," he lamented, suggesting a shift towards a more entertainment-focused, less tactically nuanced spectacle, akin to American basketball.

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Fotbalul de astăzi a devenit noul NBA.

He clarified his stance, emphasizing that his critique was not a dismissal of exciting football but a concern over the erosion of defensive fundamentals. Melli recalled an era where scoring was a hard-fought achievement, even for champions, requiring immense effort. He fears that the current trend, where goals seem more frequent and perhaps easier to come by, prioritizes television appeal and commercial success over the traditional art of the game.

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Am vrut doar să spun că, odată cu această tendință, unde în practică cultura de a ști să te aperi nu mai există și cu reguli și VAR care schimbă episoadele, vom ajunge să vedem meciuri care se termină 7-5 sau 6-6, dacă nu chiar mai multe...

This perspective from Italy, a nation historically renowned for its defensive prowess ('catenaccio'), offers a stark contrast to the prevailing excitement over attacking football seen in other parts of Europe. While Spanish coach Luis Enrique called the match "the best I've ever coached," Melli's view reflects a nostalgic longing for a more tactically rigorous game. The absence of Italian teams in the Champions League semi-finals might further fuel this sentiment, as fans and former players perhaps feel a disconnect from the evolving global football landscape.

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E doar părerea mea personală, asta e tot...