Fresh from a two-week break in Southeast Asia, Serie A Spotlight returns with a tactical masterclass.

This week, Matt is joined by Times of Malta journalist & freelance football analyst Gianluca Lia, host of our Tactics Imperivm segment. We unpack how to watch and understand football from an analytical perspective, & discuss what makes a great manager, how tactical trends emerge, and why certain formations rise and fall in popularity.

We also dive into the 2025/26 Serie A tactical landscape - from the hirings of Chivu, Cuesta, and Pisacane, to whether Inter remain title challengers, if Parma and Cagliari are in trouble, and how Como's approach stands apart from the rest of the league. Plus, we reflect on whether Italy's tactical obsession affects trust in youth players, and how Serie A compares to the Premier League.

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