Grimsby knock United out: cup fairy tales in England, just routine in Italy | OneFootball

English football continues to offer stories that fuel the imagination of fans. The latest fairy tale is signed by Grimsby Town, a fourth division club capable of eliminating Manchester United from the English Football League Cup, better known as the Carabao Cup. A team accustomed to provincial fields that brings one of the richest and most followed clubs on the planet to its knees. It is the triumph of romantic football, the kind that resists standardization and keeps alive the idea that David can still defeat Goliath.

In England, the small surprises the big, in Italy football is without fairy tales

The secret of these stories lies in the tournament's formula. The English League Cup is open to all 92 professional teams from the Premier League and the English Football League. From the first to the fourth division, every club has the right to participate. Sure, the big ones often win, but the mere fact that there is the possibility of a clash between such distant worlds keeps the magic alive and guarantees unforgettable spectacles, capable of turning an ordinary day into a historic date for fans and cities. The comparison with Italy is merciless. The Coppa Italia, today, has become an elite competition. Only 44 teams participate: the 20 from Serie A, the 20 from Serie B, and just 4 from Serie C. And not only that: the formula favors the strongest clubs, with the top eight seeds going directly to the round of 16, drastically reducing the risk of surprises. The Coppa Italia has lost its function as a bridge between the different worlds of our football, transforming into an exclusive showcase that protects the revenues of the big clubs.

In England, the small can still surprise the giant. In Italy, dreams remain confined to the imagination. Romantic football, made of fairy tales, magic, and improbable feats, continues to live south of the Channel, while the Coppa Italia increasingly appears as a soulless tournament, designed to protect established interests rather than to provide emotions.

Andrea Alati

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.