In Italy football means waiting till september for the "Campionato", if you are a player your club is the most important thing because it gives u money and popularity. U as supporter prefer to win a "Scudetto" instead of getting a semi-final of Champions League. Maybe here italian supporters are a bit stressed by football 24h/24h, 7d/7d, all the yearlong. That's why italian team has been not so much supported by people at home. A lack of interest that turns easily in a great interest when the national team get a World Cup /European Cup semi-final for example but never before that moment. It's an old trouble, italian players are not that keen to waste their holidays to play for national team (i.e. Totti or Nesta, they left the national team). Maybe u can call it lack of national spirit, isnt it?

Expo 2015 in Milano, Italy