Italy needs new stadiums to stop the rot – Galliani

Italian clubs need new stadiums or risk dropping behind France in the rankings, according to Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani.

Ten years ago Italy topped the European rankings but have been dropping steadily ever since.

Last season, Inter’s quarter-final defeat to Schalke in the Champions League ensured that Germany overtook Italy for the crucial third place in the rankings.

And Galliani believes they will also be passed by the French if they don’t do something quickly.

“Soon, thanks to the new stadiums built for Euro 2016, the French will also overtake us,” Galliani said.

“We could be competitive with equal factors and situations but unfortunately that’s not the case.

“Spain has the advantage that they don’t have collective TV rights, Germany have overtaken us thanks to the wonderful new stadiums they built for the World Cup (in 2006).

“But we can’t do anything. Without stadiums we can’t do anything and without a new law we can’t construct new stadiums.”