Where are the Italian goalkeepers?

Goalkeeper, number one, last line of defence. There are many terms to describe one of the most important roles in football, the only one in which the rules allow the use of the hands – albeit restricted to one’s own penalty area – where one often experiences that sense of loneliness described by Eduardo Galeano.

In Italy, there has always been a strong tradition of goalkeepers. Today, however, Italian football is facing a crisis in this position as well. The latest round of Serie A matches bears this out: out of the twenty teams in action, only eight fielded Italian first-choice goalkeepers. What is going on? To gain insight, we spoke to Luca Marchegiani, a former national team goalkeeper who is now a pundit for Sky.

“It’s no coincidence,” says Marchegiani. “It’s a trend. In my view, we’re witnessing a major generational shift. There’s an established group, led by one of the world’s best goalkeepers (Donnarumma); we have three or four top-class goalkeepers from that generation.”

“Behind them, however, there isn’t much to speak of; we’re facing a few difficulties. Generally speaking, the movement lacks a bit of experience, in the sense that few teams are willing to put their faith in young Italian players. There’s also a bit of a shortage of talent.”

When she was playing, it is true that there were fewer foreign players per team, but every side in the league could count on a top-class goalkeeper.

“There are a number of contributing factors that have led to the current situation. The most obvious is the presence of too many foreign players, something that affects all positions, not just that of the goalkeeper. Previously, if you weren’t a Juventus-calibre goalkeeper, you could still be a decent goalkeeper for clubs with different ambitions. Now even those positions are taken, because these clubs are recruiting more experienced players from abroad. In Italy, we pay little attention to the lower leagues – partly because we’re not in the habit of doing so, as it’s easier to buy players from abroad, and partly because of the rule requiring clubs to field under-age players in these divisions. My theory, in fact, is that the quota system in Serie C and Serie D has particularly harmed goalkeepers. This is because many teams choose to fill the quota in goal without first properly assessing these young players. In short, they play because they have to. The talented ones eventually emerge anyway, as has always been the case. On the other hand, however, those who, at twenty-three, still need to play in order to improve no longer have the chance to develop, because they drop completely out of the market. It’s a dynamic that’s plain for all to see. Yet we keep saying that the youth quota encourages the use of young players...”.

But does this so-called Italian school of goalkeepers actually exist, or is it just a myth?

“I agree with those who say that there has never been a proper ‘school’ of goalkeeping. Goalkeeping is shaped by goalkeeping coaches. In the past, coaches were former top-level goalkeepers who brought their technique, knowledge and experience to the pitch in a fairly consistent manner. Now that the role has become more complex, there are different schools of thought, but there is no consensus that defines an ‘Italian school’. Lately, there’s also been the idea that it’s enough for a goalkeeper simply to make saves. What matters is effectiveness, not how it’s achieved. That’s not the case. Today’s goalkeepers are extremely well-prepared physically and very well-rounded in managing the many tactical situations a match demands, yet they are lacking in terms of saving technique. And indeed, we see some glaring mistakes.”

Looking beyond the top-of-the-table picture: is Roma the ‘anti-Inter’?

“At the moment, they’re the favourites. Of course, making predictions after just two matchdays means you risk being laughed at for the rest of the year,” smiles the former goalkeeper, “but today they’re the team with the best attitude of all. I was very impressed by Gasperini’s words: after the match in Lecce, he spoke enthusiastically about the squad, the team’s attitude, and how the players follow his lead. It’s a sign that he sees something in this team. And I trust him, because he’s a special manager who has something that sets him apart from the rest.”

What about Como?

“I’m hearing a lot of enthusiastic predictions about Como. I partly agree with them because they’re a team that plays well and keeps strengthening their squad (including Robert Sánchez, the former Chelsea goalkeeper). However, there’s the unknown factor of the Champions League. It’s true, as Fàbregas says, that you can treat it as a gift, but you still have to play it. Furthermore, Como’s fixture list isn’t impossible, apart from the last two matches against PSG and Barcelona. Accustomed to one match a week, they’ll now have to manage runs of three matches. In my view, though, all the Italian teams can reach the play-offs.”

This year, we’ve finally seen a few new faces emerge in Serie A: Tedesco, Abate, Aquilani… What do you make of them?

“With curiosity. I’m pleased to see Tedesco in Italy. He’s a manager I’ve always heard great things about, but I’ve never followed him closely. Otherwise, I’m pleased to see new managers and, in particular, to see clubs putting their faith in young managers who have, however, performed well in their careers. These aren’t positions handed out on a plate. I do hope, though, that the clubs have fully embraced these ideas and won’t start questioning them after just two defeats.”

Why are the 2006 world champions struggling so much on the bench?

“Just because someone was a great player doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be a great manager too. Getting to manage in Serie A is difficult; it’s not something everyone can achieve. There are few positions available, and some people stay in them for twenty years. You have to be really good to manage a Serie A team.”

What are your thoughts on the developments involving Maldini and Leonardo, and what is your assessment of Mancini as manager?

“We need to know what the key figures in this affair actually said to one another. I believe that, ultimately, from a technical point of view, Mancini’s decision was the most sensible one. The right man has been identified. That said, it could have been handled in a less sensationalist manner. In the end, however, the best decision seemed like a stopgap measure, and this does not reflect well on how the matter was handled.”