Platini: Serie A sides should follow in Juventus’ footsteps

29 Dec 2012 2:15:00 AM

The Uefa president believes that stadiums in Italy must be renovated to restore respectability and help ease clubs' financial woes, saying the Bianconeri are proof that way works

Uefa president Michel Platini is of the opinion that Serie A sides should follow in Juventus’ footsteps if they want to thrive financially and succeed on the pitch.

The Bianconeri won the race to the Scudetto last season, and currently lie top of the league and have qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League at the expense of last campaign’s winners, Chelsea.

Platini believes that the Juventus Stadium, which was opened last season, was key to their revitalisation and has urged other Italian clubs to renovate their grounds.

"Italy’s problem is the stadiums,” he told Sky Sports Italia. “You have to re-do them but the first thing you need is the political will to do it.

“The stadiums are not worth points in the standings, I admit, but [they are important] in terms of credibility and in the financial fair play. Plus, it is important to solve the economic problems of society."

The former Juve No. 10 refused to predict whether the Turin-based club will win the top European trophy this season, but admitted that they have already stamped their authority on the continent once more.

"Juve have globalised,” the Frenchman added. “They have become a great team, and after winning in Italy they are now making their mark on Europe.

“I do not know if they are strong enough to win the Champions League, it's a matter of mentality, my Juventus team had it.”

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