Serie A in Turmoil: Berruto’s Critique, Goretzka’s Transfer Buzz, and Napoli’s Hojlund Aims at Milan

The 2025/26 Serie A season continues to unfold with intense drama both on and off the pitch. While the battle for Champions League spots and the league title intensifies, troubling questions about the governance of Italian football have resonated loudly, notably with former volleyball coach and PD politician Mauro Berruto sharply criticising the state of the game.

Mauro Berruto’s Stark Criticism of Italian Football

Mauro Berruto, bronze medal-winning former head coach of Italy’s men’s volleyball team at the 2012 London Olympics and current lawmaker in the Democratic Party, has voiced tough words regarding Italy’s football crisis. Speaking about the repeated failures to qualify for recent FIFA World Cups – including losses to Macedonia and Bosnia – Berruto pointed at both the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and the Serie A League as pivotal culprits. He remarked, "Lo sport italiano oggi vince a livello internazionale. Nel calcio, invece, è azzurro tenebra. [...] Per questo, non difendo la Federcalcio: ricordo solo che l’altro protagonista dell’abisso è la Lega Calcio Serie A."

Berruto emphasised the politicisation of sport as a core problem, highlighting the involvement of Serie A figures like Lotito and Galliani in the Italian Senate. He argued for a cohesive vision and shared responsibility, suggesting that a strong national team requires only around thirty talented Italian players competing in the best possible league – which he insists is currently not Serie A. He rejected simplistic critiques focused solely on the number of foreign players, instead blaming the quality drop even among youth squads and advocating for an environment that nurtures players throughout the season rather than in brief training camps.

Governance Dialogue Needed

Underlining the damaging conflict between the Federation and the League, Berruto called for an immediate truce and a joint effort to rebuild Italian football from the ground up. "Bisogna sedersi a un tavolo, riazzerare e, di fronte a un’emergenza, avere la volontà di trovare soluzioni comuni. Che deve trovare lo sport, non la politica," he stressed. His frustration extended to stalled parliamentary inquiries on sports judiciary issues, which he believes obstruct transparent progress.

Napoli’s Rasmus Hojlund Faces Milan Hurdle

On the sporting front, Napoli’s Danish striker Rasmus Hojlund has shouldered heavy expectations during a season marred by injuries. As Napoli contends for a second-place finish and crucial Champions League qualification, Hojlund eyes an important personal milestone: finally beating AC Milan in Serie A. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, he has lost twice to Milan in league play (both in away games) but played a decisive role in the Supercoppa Italiana by assisting and scoring against the Rossoneri. The upcoming clashes between Napoli and Milan carry significant weight for both the club’s ambitions and Hojlund’s legacy.

Milan’s Goretzka Pursuit Heats Up

Meanwhile, Serie A’s biggest names are active in the transfer market. Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka, whose contract expires June 30, 2026, is attracting fierce attention domestically. Juventus, Inter, Napoli, and Milan have all reportedly shown interest, but recent reports highlight Milan’s aggressive pursuit. The 31-year-old German is highly valued for his technical and leadership qualities, with coach Max Allegri seeing him as the ideal midfield reinforcement. Negotiations appear intense, and Milan is considered the frontrunner to secure his signature.

Tactical Fantasy Football Insights: Low-Cost Defensive Picks

For fantasy enthusiasts preparing for the 31st Serie A round, three defensive players stand out for their quality-to-cost ratio: Ardian Ismajli of Torino, Rafik Belghali of Hellas Verona, and Sead Kolasinac of Atalanta. Consistent performances, growing match fitness, and affordable credit prices make them intriguing low-cost options capable of delivering valuable points, especially as matches become increasingly pivotal.

Recent Matches and Serie A Standings Impact

The 29th round of Serie A witnessed crucial results affecting the title race and European qualification battles. Inter and Atalanta played to a 1-1 draw at San Siro, maintaining tight margins at the top of the table and offering Milan a chance to close the gap. Napoli rallied from behind to beat Lecce 2-1 with late goals from Hojlund and Politano, despite the latter exiting injured. Juventus secured a narrow 1-0 win at Udinese with a decisive goal from Boga, further strengthening their Champions League bid.

Looking Ahead

With Serie A’s governance in question and top clubs maneuvering aggressively on and off the field, the coming weeks promise to be defining for both the national football culture and Italy’s most storied football competition. The urgent need for strategic alignment between the Federation and Serie A leaders, combined with individual player narratives like Hojlund’s Milan challenge and Goretzka’s transfer saga, ensure that the drama will continue beyond the final whistle.