Di Canio destroys Italian football: ‘Sorry’ to hear Vialli compared to Malen | OneFootball

Paolo Di Canio strongly criticises Italian football after Serie A clubs suffered three defeats in three Champions League matches and is ‘sorry’ that Donyell Malen was compared to Gianluca Vialli.

Former West Ham and Lazio star Di Canio lashed out at Italian football on Wednesday night after seeing Juventus, Atalanta and Inter lose their opening games in the Champions League knockout play-off.

EINDHOVEN, NETHERLANDS – OCTOBER 21: Scott McTominay of Napoli reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between PSV Eindhoven and SSC Napoli at PSV Stadion on October 21, 2025 in Eindhoven, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

“Don’t even mention the Premier League, who are on a different level. Our perception of Italian football is that we are phenomenal. Yet, we play away at PSV and concede six goals,” Di Canio told during Sky Sport Italia’s post-match show via TMW.

“This season, many thought Napoli would have gone who knows where in the Champions League, then they conceded six goals against a team [PSV] that collected three points against them and then five in the other seven matches. Inter conceded five goals in the Champions League Final against PSG, but it could have been 10.”

Di Canio was also critical of Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who had said he saw “similarities” between Vialli and Malen.

NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 15: Donyell Malen of AS Roma celebrates after scoring his side first goal during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and AS Roma at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 15, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

“He [Malen] is 27, and nobody ever paid attention to him. At Aston Villa, he was a backup for Rodgers and Watkins, who are stronger,” Di Canio said.

“He gets here and scores five goals in five matches, and we are dragging Vialli into this? My big brother, a kiss to heaven, I’m sorry they mentioned you.”

Di Canio went on to say: “I hear that it is difficult to play in Pisa. How is it possible? Pisa have scored 2 goals in 12 home games. If you play blindfolded in Pisa, you draw 0-0. There’s a narration according to which Italian players could play for Manchester City. Who? Italian payers have not been signed across Europe for 15 years, which means they are not considered up to the task.”