Italy’s disappointing exit from Euro 2024 has left fans and experts questioning the team’s lack of character and intensity. The defending champions were comfortably beaten 2-0 by Switzerland at Berlin’s Olympiastadion, with former England striker Gary Lineker describing it as one of the worst Italian teams he has ever seen.
Comparisons were drawn to Italy’s previous successes, such as their World Cup win in 2006 and their European Championship victory in 2021. The current squad, despite having talented players, seemed to lack the craft and guile of previous stars like Andrea Pirlo and Marco Materazzi.
The lackluster performance against Switzerland raised concerns about the selection process, as only four players who started in the victory against England in 2021 made the starting XI in the defeat. This inconsistency in the squad suggests a lack of continuity and cohesion.
Coach Luciano Spalletti, who had worked wonders with Napoli last season, was brought in to lead the national team. However, his tactical approach seemed to be missing the high-intensity, attacking football that made his Napoli side successful. Spalletti admitted that the team lacked intensity and failed to maintain a high level of play.
Spalletti had limited time to prepare the team for the tournament, having taken over just 10 games before Euro 2024. The team’s lack of qualification for the previous World Cup added pressure to their performance. Despite winning against Albania and drawing with Croatia, Italy’s tournament ended prematurely.
Critics, including BBC pundit Rio Ferdinand, questioned Spalletti’s ability to handle different scenarios during the game. The defeat raised immediate questions about his future as the national team boss. Spalletti acknowledged the criticism but remained confident in his ability to compete at this level.
Spalletti attributed some of Italy’s struggles to injuries and the early title win by Inter Milan, where he was previously the coach. He made changes to the starting lineup and emphasized the need for tempo and intensity. However, these adjustments did not yield the desired outcome.
Despite the disappointment, Spalletti remained resilient and focused on improving in the future. He compared the defeat to the incident where Napoli ultras stole his car, a Fiat Panda, as a sign of their dissatisfaction. Eventually, when he led Napoli to a title, they returned his car. Spalletti believes that he will overcome the current challenges and continue to compete at the highest level.
In conclusion, Italy’s exit from Euro 2024 highlighted their lack of character and intensity. Coach Luciano Spalletti faced scrutiny over his tactical decisions and ability to handle different scenarios during games. Despite the disappointment, Spalletti remained confident and focused on improving in the future. With time and adjustments, Italy hopes to regain their previous success in international football.