Serie A was first held in 1898. Then teams were divided into groups according to regional principles. This lasted until the 1929/30 season, when Serie A got its current format. The contest is considered to be one of the most intense football championships in the world. Before the 2004/05 season, 18 teams took part in Serie A, after – 20 clubs. The first champion became “Genoa”, having won the tournament 6 times during the first 7 years of its existence.
The system of Italian football leagues has 10 levels, including only 4 professional: Serie А (20 clubs), Serie В (22 clubs) (superintended by the Lega Nazionale Professionisti (Lega Calcio), other leagues are subject to the Serie C professional league, comprising Serie С1, С2 (18 clubs in each), С3 (20 clubs), С4 (21 clubs).
At the moment Serie A includes 20 professional clubs that play 38 matches in two rounds. The Serie A competition is often called “scudetto”, as during the next season champions wear a small badge with an Italian tricolour on their uniform. Teams, taken three last (18th, 19th and 20th) places, drop out to Serie В, being replaced by three top performers of this division. In two best teams have the same quantity of points and scored/missed balls case on the completion of the season, a “golden match” is played to identify a winner.
There was a major scandal associated with “Juventus”, “Milan”, “Lazio”, “Fiorentina” and “Reggina” rigged games in Serie A in 2006. “Juventus” was deprived of two championship titles and lowered to Serie B. “Reggina” was stripped of 11 points in Serie A. Another tragedy happened in February 2007 – the policeman Filippo Raciti was killed during the “Palermo” - “Catania” match. The Serie A competition was temporarily suspended.
The most award-winning Serie A club is “Juventus” (Turin), ranking first 30 times at the end of the season. The second place is divided between two Milan teams – “Milan” and “Inter” (18 titles each).
Silvio Piola (1929–1954) is the Serie A top scorer ever: 537 matches – 274 goals.
“Torino” has scored most per season: the 1947/48 season – 125 goals.
“Inter” has spent the greatest number of seasons in Serie A – 81.
The longest series without defeats belongs to “Milan”, in 1991–1993 they were unbeaten during 58 matches in a row.
“Internazionale” is proud of the longest win streak (2006/07) – 17 matches at a run.
“Juventus” managed to win five champion titles in succession (1930/31–1934/35)
“Juventus” also scored most points (102) in one season (2013/2014).
Paolo Maldini has made most appearances – 647 matches (1984–2009).
The greatest number of goals in one game – 14 balls “Juventus” 6 – 8 “Torino”).
The longest series without missing balls is performed by Sebastiano Rossi (“Milan”) – 929 minutes.
