The medical-treatment rule is central to the shift. A player who requests attention after going down must reportedly remain off the pitch for one minute, preserving access to treatment while removing the incentive to use injuries as a way to slow the game.
The report says Serie A averaged 59 minutes of active playing time across its opening four rounds, compared with 54 minutes last season. That five-minute rise can reshape matches, particularly late on, when teams traditionally look to protect a lead by breaking the rhythm.
The refereeing guidance also appears to have reduced the number of fouls. The reported average has fallen from 12.68 to 11.38 fouls per team per match, reinforcing the sense that officials are allowing more contact and continuity.
That approach carries a risk. A looser line must still protect players and punish reckless challenges. But when applied consistently, it can give technically gifted teams more opportunity to build attacks rather than restart play from a series of free-kicks.
Gennaro Gattuso has also reportedly judged the new interpretation to be making Serie A more attractive. Chivu’s comments after Inter’s 3-2 victory over Napoli offered a similar verdict: the game feels less burdened by time-wasting.
The report places Serie A’s early scoring average at 2.88 goals per match, behind only the Bundesliga and LaLiga among Europe’s major leagues. For a competition that has often been associated with tactical caution, the early direction is notable.
The next run of fixtures will test whether the change is more than an opening burst. If active playing time remains high and referees maintain a consistent standard, Serie A may be building a faster, more watchable identity.