Alberto Aquiliani could well be a Serie A coach if it wasn’t for one of Italian football’s more bizarre rules.
The Roma great has been in the dugout since 2023, impressing with Pisa, saving them from relegation before taking a break and returning with Catanzaro last summer.
The traditional Italian side haven’t played in the top flight since 1983, but it looked like Aquilani might be the man to break that run.
Having finished fifth in the regular season, Aquilani took Catanzaro through two rounds of the play-offs and through to the final against Monza.
His side looked in big trouble after a 2-0 first-leg defeat at home, but they miraculously pulled it back away at the favourites who finished third.
However, when the full-time whistle was blown at 2-2, Aquilani broke down in tears knowing there would be no extra time.
Serie B play-off rules uniquely settle ties depending on who finished higher in the table.
As such, the comeback wasn’t enough for Catanzaro to force extra time, and Monza’s third-place proved to be the tie-break.
Once his tears had gone, Aquilani was asked about the play-off rule, but said Monza: “Would have deserved promotion even earlier.”
Aquilani may well find himself having suitors in Serie A, but given how badly things started with Catanzaro and the run of form he’s had them on, we may well find him there of his own accord.
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