Former Italy striker Melli plays devil’s advocate: ‘PSG-Bayern makes me sick, it’s like the NBA’

PARMA, ITALY – MAY 12: Alessandro Melli celebrates the twentieth anniversary of the conquest of the Cup Winner’s Cup at Wembley prior to the Serie A match between Parma FC and Bologna FC at Stadio Ennio Tardini on May 12, 2013 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

Melli: ‘I still prefer PSG-Bayern to Milan-Juventus’

Melli later clarified his stance after facing criticism, insisting his comments were not a defence of Italian football but rather a warning about the sport’s direction.

“I didn’t say I prefer Milan-Juventus to PSG-Bayern, I’d choose the second every time,” he explained. “I just mean that with this trend, where the culture of defending no longer exists and rules and VAR influence every episode, we will start seeing matches ending 7-5 or 6-6.”

He also pointed to a broader cultural shift in how football is consumed. “Once, scoring was difficult, you had to earn it,” Melli continued. “Even the best players had to work incredibly hard for every goal. Now there is this idea that every attack can lead to a goal.”

In his view, this evolution benefits broadcasters and commercial interests.

“It helps television sell the product and clubs to sell tickets at crazy prices,” he concluded, stressing that his remarks reflected a personal opinion rather than an absolute truth.