Article by Daniel Scorpie – Published Saturday, March 14, 2026, 1:11 p.m. / Updated Saturday, March 14, 2026, 1:14 p.m.
Nemanja Matic (37 years old), his midfielder Sassuolocriticizes the level of Serie A due to excessive tactics, in the interview in La Gazzetta dello Sport. After two seasons in Italian football, his former player AS Roma revealed the weaknesses of the current peninsular system.
Elected the best footballer in Serbia in 2014 and 2015 and winner, among other trophies, of three championship titles in England with Chelsea and one in Portugal with Benfica, the former international with 48 caps and two goals made a painful x-ray of what he noticed happening in Serie A.
60of matches Nemanja Matic played in Serie A at AS Roma and Sassuolo, scoring 3 goals and 4 assists. However, the Serbian midfielder has 251 games in the Premier League (6 goals, 24 assists) and 103 appearances in the Champions League and Europa League
“A football left in the 90s, and the first problem is with the football academies. I noticed this with my son. In England and France they are much more advanced, they teach you to have fun and dribble, develop your technique.
Matic: “I would like to see Italian football at another level. But it should not be underestimated that playing here remains very difficult”
Tactics are important, but they have too much influence. In Italy, many teams play with a three-man defense and attack a little,” complained the midfielder who has also played in Kolubara, Kosice, Chelsea, Benfica, Manchester United, AS Roma and Rennes in his two-decade career.
Nemanja Matic, in a duel with Lautaro Martinez, in the last match Sassuolo – Inter 0-5 / Photo: Imago
The midfielder who in 2022-2023 worked with Jose Mourinho at AS Roma also criticized the too slow pace: “Isn't there intensity? How could it be if you only think about defending in your own half?
An innovative project is needed, otherwise the situation will get even worse in a few years. I'm sorry, but I would like to see Italian football at another level.
It's fair to point out what doesn't work in Serie A, but we must never underestimate the fact that playing in Italy remains a very difficult job”.
“I can still be of use to the youngsters at Sassuolo. I will be a coach, trying to be myself. We will see if I am capable”
However, Nemanja Matic also sees the bright side and is enjoying his second youth at Sassuolo: “Giovanni Carnevali and Fabio Grosso convinced me in a meeting in Milan. They explained to me how the club works, the importance of youth and the wonderful sports center.
Nemanja Matic was also FCSB's opponent in the 2024-2025 Europa League “eighties” / Photo: Imago
I can be of use to the young people around me. At the end of the season we will talk again and Sassuolo knows that if I am happy, it has no problem to continue.
My future? I will coach, trying to be myself. But we'll see if I'll be able to do it.”
