Former Leeds United defender Dario Del Fabro believes Italian football is still superior to England with regards to tactics. The 22-year-old spent a season on loan with Leeds United from Cagliari.
Speaking to Gianluca di Marzio, Del Fabro was asked about his time at Leeds United during the 2014/15 season.
The Pisa defender said in terms of organisation off the pitch English football was better than his home country, but the style of play was totally different. Del Fabro believes the game in England is more about strength rather than tactics.
“I think English football is higher than the Italian game in the structure, organisation and marketing. Tactically, however, we are still clearly the best. In the Premier League and Championship, it’s more physical and more technical: a completely different way of playing,” said the former Leeds United loanee.
Del Fabro was one of many players to arrive at Leeds United from Italy during Massimo Cellino’s early reign at the club. Giuseppe Bellusci was also signed from Catania by Cellino and Nicola Salerno, as the two Italians adopted a policy of recruiting from Serie A and B.
Like Del Fabro, Bellusci has also gone on record to say Italian football is tactically better than England, and that the Leeds United coaches didn’t concentrate on this side of the game.
“There, the tactics are very little, and then you have to arrange, learn to play as a single, one against one, in huge areas. For an Italian defender it’s a nightmare, but then you get used to it,” said the Leeds United defender.
Bellusci spent last season on loan with Empoli, and the 28 year old will be hoping for a return to Serie A this summer. It seems he no longer has a future at Elland Road after coming in for flak from the fans.
