As we dive into EA FC 25, it’s clear that EA Sports has continued the trend of using alternate names for some iconic football clubs. If you’ve been playing or following updates about EA FC 25, you may have noticed that several teams from Italy are now under slightly altered names. These changes might confuse some players who are used to seeing familiar names like AC Milan or Inter Milan, so let's take a closer look at these “fake” team names and what they actually represent.
Why Do Some Teams Have Fake Names?
First off, it's important to understand why these name changes occur. EA Sports, like many game publishers, must secure licensing agreements with clubs and leagues to use their real names and likenesses in the game. If a club is not part of EA’s licensing partnership, the developers are forced to use fictional names for the teams. This is exactly what happened with some of Italy’s most famous clubs in EA FC 25. However, these alternate names still give us clues about the teams behind them.
Lombardia FC – Inter Milan
Starting with Lombardia FC, it’s easy to connect the dots. This is the team representing Inter Milan, one of Italy's biggest football clubs. The name “Lombardia” refers to the region of Italy where Inter Milan is based, and EA Sports chose this alternate name likely because they couldn’t secure the official licensing agreement with the club. For anyone familiar with Italian football, it’s clear that Lombardia FC is none other than Inter Milan, and their players are the same world-class stars you’d expect.
Milano FC – AC Milan
Next up, we have Milano FC, which may ring a bell if you're already thinking of AC Milan, another iconic Italian club. Just like Lombardia FC represents Inter Milan, Milano FC is simply EA’s workaround for AC Milan. The name “Milano” refers to the city, and AC Milan's rich history and stellar reputation are easily recognizable behind the name change. While the club may go by Milano FC in the game, you’ll still find the same familiar faces like Zlatan Ibrahimović (though depending on the year, of course) and others on the roster.
Roma FC – AS Roma
Moving on to Roma FC, this name is a bit of a giveaway. Roma FC is clearly meant to represent AS Roma, another major club from the Italian capital. The licensing issue here, which started back in 2021, has led EA Sports to use an alternate name for the club. Despite the name change, the players, including top talents like Paulo Dybala and Tammy Abraham, remain the same, and you can still expect AS Roma’s iconic red and yellow kit in the game, albeit under the “Roma FC” moniker.
Lazio – Lazio
This one is a bit simpler. The team known as Lazio in EA FC 25 is, in fact, SS Lazio, the well-known club from Rome. Unlike the other teams in this list, Lazio hasn’t been given a completely altered name but instead retains its real-world identity, albeit still caught in the limbo of licensing complications. Since Lazio is part of another football simulation license, it’s represented under its familiar name in EA FC 25. Fans of the Biancocelesti can rest easy knowing their beloved club is present in the game, even if the partnership with EA is not as clear as others.
Bergamo Calcio – Atalanta
Finally, we have Bergamo Calcio, which is a nod to Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio, the football club based in the northern Italian city of Bergamo. Atalanta is known for its thrilling attacking play and a solid record in Serie A in recent years. EA Sports uses the term “Bergamasca Calcio” in the club's full name, but in the game, they opt for “Bergamo Calcio” to sidestep licensing restrictions. While the name may be different, the players, like Duván Zapata and Luis Muriel, are still the same.
The Licensing Landscape
While EA Sports’ decision to use alternative names might be frustrating for some players, it's important to note that this is a result of licensing issues. AS Roma’s situation dates back to 2021 when the club made the decision to not renew its agreement with EA Sports, leading to the use of “Roma FC” instead. As for AC Milan, Inter Milan, Atalanta, and Lazio, these clubs are part of Konami’s eFootball partnership, meaning they’re not available for use in EA Sports’ titles.
Despite the name changes, the quality of the football and the accuracy of player likenesses remain intact. Players still get to control the same stars they know and love, just under different banners. While it may take some time to get used to the new names, fans of these clubs will find that the heart of the teams remains very much the same.
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