England coach Fabio Capello says Italian sides need to emulate the physical nature of the Premier League if they are to become a force in European football again.
Serie A’s contingent did not make it past the last 16 in the Champions League this season, while only Roma reached the quarter-finals last year.
Italian Capello, who led Milan to glory in the European Cup in 1994, believes the physical nature of the English game has helped the Premier League sides outstrip their European counterparts.
“It is important for the Italian league to go for less interruptions while allowing a more physical approach,” he told the Football Association website.
Inter have won the Serie A title for the past four seasons but have struggled to compete in European football’s top tournament. They were knocked out of this season’s Champions League in the last 16 by finalists Manchester United.
Capello added: “Inter Milan had all the potential to reach the final – at the very least I had expected them to get to the semi-finals.
“Unfortunately for them they met a great side like Manchester United, although in truth United at that time were not as strong as they are now.
“But overall, the Premier League is decidedly more competitive than Serie A because the Italian public does not easily accept the physical challenges, and gets angry with the referee if he does not give a foul.
“The players throw themselves to the ground as well, whereas in England if a player simulates a foul, he is greeted with the famous boos.”
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