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Football in Italy can be likened to a movie. Fans have seen the rise of sides like AC Milan in the 2000s, Inter Milan as we neared the 2010s and Juventus in the last decade or so.
There have also been some dark moments like the Calciopoli scandal which saw champions Juventus stripped off their Serie A title. Other clubs in Italy such as AC Milan, Fiorentina, Lazio and Reggina have faced various sanctions as well.
One thing is for sure though - everyone in and around the Italian footballing circles is deeply involved. From fans who light flares in the stands, to passionate managers and coaching staff shouting instructions at the players and duly joining in for celebrations.
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Football in Italy is like a religion, with each club's followers upholding their agenda. Their national team, too, has been reaching great heights of late, setting a seemingly insurmountable world record recently.
Italy are currently ranked fourth in the FIFA rankings after their recent rise back to the top. Defensive stalwarts Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci have been at the heart of this resurgence over the past four or five years. The team showed great fighting spirit as they saw off a strong England side to win the UEFA Euro 2020 crown in the summer.
With continental honors in the bag, Italy will look to conquer the world in next year's FIFA World Cup in Qatar. They currently sit in top spot in their qualifying group, level on points with second-placed Switzerland, who are behind on goal difference.
The Azzurri will be looking to build upon their form going into next year's showcase tournament. With their current crop of players, it's not hard to imagine seeing them dominate in the future.
Let's take a look at the five players whose form for their clubs and for Italy in recent times has helped the reputation of Italian football reach for the stars again.
#5 Angelo Ogbonna - West Ham United
Angelo Ogbonna has been a rock at the back for a West Ham team that have made a surprisingly good start to the current campaign.
They sit third in the Premier League having won seven, drawn two and lost two of their 11 games. In their last four league games, the Hammers have beaten Everton, Tottenham, Aston Villa and, most notably, Liverpool.
This season, Ogbonna has averaged 2.4 clearances,1.0 interceptions and 0.6 tackles per game. The Italy defender has helped West Ham keep three clean sheets on a tough fixture list thus far. Ogbonna's hesitation to make silly challenges makes him a reliable and solid centre-back, a quality that is typically Italian about him.
Unfortunately, though, Ogbonna's scintillating start to the season was brought to a sudden halt recently as he suffered a cruciate ligament injury. The injury also prevented him from being part of the Italy squad for the ongoing international break. His club West Ham showed solidarity and class in standing by him.
If not for his injury, Ogbonna would be higher up the list. However, football fans worldwide hope he returns from his long lay-off soon, and makes his way back on to the pitch for West Ham and Italy.
#4 Domenico Berardi - Sassuolo
Domenico Berardi was a crucial player in Italy's forward line during their triumphant Euro 2020 campaign. He featured in all but one of their games en route to the cup, providing two important assists for his teammates. Berardi's rise to the top for Italy and Sassuolo has been remarkable, to say the least.
The 27-year-old first rose to prominence in a Serie A game against AC Milan in 2014 where he carried Sassuolo to a 4-3 win. There were some stunning facts that emerged after that win.
Berardi scored all four of his side's goals and, in doing so, became the second-youngest player in Italy since Silvio Piola (1931) to achieve the feat. He truly dominated a hapless AC Milan side that day, making it one of the worst games in their coveted history.
Berardi has made 10 appearances for Sassuolo this season, scoring five goals and dishing out three assists for his teammates. The winger continues to remain one of Italy's top players and has chosen to stick with Sassuolo despite receiving offers from other top clubs.
Italy and Sassuolo fans will be hoping the 2014 version of Berardi makes a return before the end of the season. They will also hope he plays a starring role for Roberto Mancini's side at the FIFA World Cup in 2022 in Qatar.
#3 Lorenzo Insigne - Napoli
Lorenzo Insigne has been the cornerstone of Italy and Napoli's recent successes. He has helped his club capture top spot in Serie A this season after helping the Azzurri win the UEFA Euro 2020.
The Italian winger has a unique playing style. Insigne uses his short frame and bursts of speed to make agile manouvres through tight spaces, helping his teams create fast breaks on offense. He has a thunderous strike that can be deceptive due to his technique. Insigne keeps the ball closer to the ground, helping it glide off the grass.
In his career, the 30-year-old has racked up 532 appearances, scoring 173 goals and providing 106 assists for his teammates. What's amazing is that aside from two short loan-spells, he has recorded most of these statistics in a Napoli jersey. A true one-club man so far!
Last season, Insigne put up some world class numbers, accompanied by Italy teammates Berardi and Ciro Immobile, on the list. Have a look:
He has scored five and assisted four goals in 14 total appearances for Napoli this season. Insigne's consistency and impact in Italy and particularly in Naples over recent years has earned him a deserved spot on this list.
#2 Jorginho - Chelsea
Jorginho has had one of the best calendar years by any midfielder in history in terms of winning coveted trophies. The Italian won the UEFA Champions League with Chelsea, followed by the UEFA Euro 2020 with Italy. Jorginho rounded it off by winning the UEFA Super Cup with his club.
Such was his glory that some excited fans called upon the midfielder to be awarded the prestigious Balon d'Or trophy. He will probably be in contention by the time it is announced. Here is how Jorginho ranks alongside some of the other elite players:
Jorginho scored eight goals and provided two assists for his teammates in 43 appearances last season. This season, he has already scored three and assisted one. Jorginho's statistics further shed light on the fact that to appreciate him, you have to watch what he does on the field.
Those who underappreciate or downplay the impact on his side are usually those who have not watched him pull the strings in midfield before.
#1 Ciro Immobile - Lazio
Ciro Immobile has been Italy's most lethal weapon on offense in recent times. In his 487 career appearances, Immobile has scored 283 goals and set-up 65 for his teammates. His exploits have seen him become Lazio's all-time top scorer and the man has dazzled wherever he has played.
This season, too, he has shown no signs of slowing down. In fact, going by the post below, one can say Immobile is only just picking up pace.
So far this season, the clinical marksman has scored 11 goals and provided two assists for his teammates in 15 total appearances. Considering he has the ability to go the entire season at nearly a goal every game, Immobile has proven to be an irreplaceable asset for his teams.
Just after we broke for the international fixtures, Immobile was forced to leave the Italian camp with muscular problems. He will be hoping to make a return for Lazio's big game against Juventus.
The club's fans will have their eyes peeled on their star man's return as he continues to score goals for fun. Immobile is on course to challenge for yet another Capocannoniere (Serie A top scorer) award.
