Italy's Early Exit from Euro 2024: A National Crisis
Italy's national football team faced a significant setback after being eliminated from Euro 2024 in the round of 16 by Switzerland, with a 2-0 defeat. Despite the disappointing outcome, the Italian Football Federation has decided to retain coach Luciano Spalletti. Gabriele Gravina, the federation's president, expressed unwavering support for the 65-year-old coach, emphasizing the importance of continuity in their long-term project.
Spalletti's Response and Future Plans
Luciano Spalletti, who took over from Roberto Mancini last August, acknowledged the team's poor performance against Switzerland. He admitted, 'Yesterday's match showed that we had fallen back in terms of level, this is not acceptable.' Spalletti is committed to rejuvenating the squad with young and new players, aiming to rebuild the team's competitive edge. The Italian Football Federation is determined to get back on track, with crucial matches in the League of Nations, including a face-off against France, scheduled in the next 60 days.
Media and Public Reaction
Italian media outlets have not held back in their criticism. The Corriere dello Sport described the defeat as a 'shame' and an 'Italian disaster,' while Tuttosport called for a complete overhaul of the system. The Gazzetta dello Sport echoed these sentiments, highlighting the need for structural changes and better performance. The general press also weighed in, with Corriere della Sera calling the situation a 'technical, tactical, and personality wreck.' Despite the harsh critiques, there have been no calls for Spalletti's resignation, indicating a collective effort to address the issues and improve Italian football.
- The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has reiterated its commitment to Spalletti and the long-term project, refusing to abandon it after only eight months. Gravina emphasized the need for collective responsibility among managers, players, and coaches.
- Spalletti acknowledged the team's shortcomings and expressed a desire to bring in fresh talent to rejuvenate the squad. He admitted that the players did not meet his expectations and stressed the importance of starting from scratch to rebuild the team's performance level.
- The Italian media has been vocal in its criticism, with major outlets like Corriere dello Sport, Tuttosport, and Gazzetta dello Sport calling for significant changes. The general sentiment is that the team has hit rock bottom and requires a complete overhaul to regain its former glory.
- Despite the criticism, there is a sense of urgency and determination within the Italian Football Federation to address the issues and make the necessary changes. The upcoming matches in the League of Nations are seen as an opportunity to start this rebuilding process.
