‘Ronaldo’s signing has boosted Serie A’

LONDON: Cristiano Ronaldo signing for Juventus last year was a shot in the arm for Serie A and bolstered the impression that the league is undergoing a renaissance Italy and AC Milan legend Franco Baresi told AFP.

Baresi, widely considered to be one of the greatest ever defenders, said that Ronaldo’s arrival in Serie A was a clear statement the Italian championship is once again attracting star names.

Baresi, who won the European Cup/Champions League three times in his 20 years at Milan, added that it was good for European football that Serie A is becoming a force again.

“Yes, there is a renaissance in Italian football, it is growing again,” said the 58-year-old Baresi, after appearing at the Betting on Football conference at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge ground.

“There is significantly more interest and the arrival of some great footballers like Ronaldo.

“His signing is a very clear and positive signal. Italian football has always been at a high level but is growing again.

“Italian teams are doing well in Europe again, so it is on the up.”

In the last six seasons, either Napoli or Roma have finished second in Serie A, but Baresi believes that only the two Milan clubs can hope to end the Juventus dominance of which seems certain to stretch to an eighth straight title this season.

Napoli are again the closest challenger but are 15 points adrift. Inter and AC Milan are third and fourth respectively with Roma fifth.

“Juve have had an easy time in the last seven or eight years because Milan and Inter have gone through a difficult period with the changing of ownership,” said Baresi, who captained Milan from the age of 22.

“But they are the only two teams with the history, the brand, the following and structure while the other two lack some of those elements.”

While Baresi played for Milan his older brother Giuseppe was an Inter stalwart. When they played each other and it was a “very emotional time” though their parents remained neutral.

He says he is impressed at how former Milan hardman midfielder Gennaro Gattuso is faring as coach of his former club.