“Italy’s worst team in a lifetime” as holders limp out.
Italy’s national team, under Luciano Spalletti, suffered a 2-0 defeat to Switzerland at Berlin’s Olympiastadion, marking a dismal performance that lacked the late-game fight seen in their comeback draw against Croatia in their final group match.
Former England striker Gary Lineker commented on BBC One, “I don’t think I’ve witnessed, in my lifetime, a worse Italian team than this.”
The same venue saw Italy win their fourth World Cup in 2006, defeating France on penalties. Just three years ago, the Azzurri dashed England’s hopes at Wembley, winning a shootout to secure their third European Championship title.
Despite the presence of talented players in the current squad, the performance against Switzerland revealed a glaring lack of character. The team missed the craft of Andrea Pirlo, the guile of Marco Materazzi, and the experienced grit of Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini. This absence of leadership and resilience has left the Italian side struggling, unable to replicate the tenacity and skill of past legends.
Of the players who started in Italy’s 2021 victory over England, only goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, defender Giovanni di Lorenzo, midfielder Nicolo Barella, and forward Federico Chiesa were included in Luciano Spalletti’s starting XI for the disappointing exit in Berlin.
“From three years ago to this, it’s incredible,” remarked former England captain Alan Shearer.
“I was really shocked at how bad Italy were. They offered nothing in any position; Switzerland toyed with them.
“Switzerland dominated the game and didn’t give Italy a chance. Up top they were so weak, they offered nothing in front of goal. There was no threat. They were so poor, particularly in forward positions.”
Luciano Spalletti worked wonders with Napoli last season, leading them to their first Scudetto since Diego Maradona’s inspired triumph in 1990. He had planned to take a sabbatical, spending time on his farm in Tuscany, but cut it short to take over the national team after Roberto Mancini resigned in August last year.
In Berlin, Italian fans donned Maradona jerseys, and Spalletti was on the bench, but the high-intensity, attacking football that defined his Napoli side was noticeably absent.
“The team was timid in terms of the intensity of the game,” Spalletti said. “We didn’t do a good job, we weren’t able to maintain a high level of intensity. When you are not able to win the ball back, given we don’t possess pace at the back, you have to afford them space.”
Spalletti had only 10 games to prepare a side that failed to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar, securing their place in this tournament as runners-up to England in qualifying. However, four games into Euro 2024, with just a win against Albania and a late draw with Croatia to show for it, Spalletti and Italy’s tournament came to an end.
“They’ve been shambolic, almost,” said BBC pundit Rio Ferdinand. “It’s like they’ve not got one answer or solution for any scenario that’s come up in this game today. Questions are going to be asked of Spalletti, I’m sure.”
Indeed, questions were asked. Immediately after the defeat, the 65-year-old was asked whether he believed he could continue as the national team boss.
“That question is only natural, don’t feel guilty about asking me,” he said. “But that comes to the crux of the matter; it doesn’t change anything for me. I have the responsibility for what has happened. I picked the players, and of course, this is part of a process where I need to get to know players.”
Despite Spalletti’s previous success, the transition to the national team was challenging, highlighting the stark difference between his Napoli triumph and Italy’s lackluster performance in the tournament.
Spalletti expressed frustration over the limited time he had with his squad compared to other coaches at the tournament, as well as injuries to key players and the early Serie A title win by Inter Milan in April.
“Inter won Serie A, and then I ensured they remained a very professional, serious club because Simone Inzaghi continued training the team in a certain manner,” he explained. “I kept track of Inter’s training frequency, but perhaps subconsciously, there wasn’t the same level of intensity after winning the league so early.”
Having previously suggested he may have pushed his players too hard in training before the draw against Croatia, Spalletti adjusted his approach this time, allowing more rest and making six changes to the starting lineup.
“What happened tonight wasn’t due to a single cause,” he added. “But when the tempo and intensity aren’t there, it becomes much harder to compete, and we fell short.”
Reflecting on challenges in his coaching career, Spalletti recalled a turbulent period five months into his Napoli tenure when unhappy ultras stole his beloved Fiat Panda, only returning it upon his departure threat.
Following the defeat, a Swiss journalist humorously queried whether Switzerland was now the Ferrari and Italy a Fiat Panda.
“One must accept everything,” Spalletti replied. “Even rather tasteless remarks like yours – you are clearly a master of sarcasm, and you’re right. What more can one say? You did a better job than us, you were deserving winners, and we will aim to improve next time.”
Having faced scrutiny throughout his coaching career, Spalletti remains unfazed about his future with the national team.
“When you want to unsettle me, say ‘now what, now what’,” he added. “I have faced pressure from day one since deciding to become a coach, and I am very relaxed about competing at this level.”