Italia

[Alex de Large]

It's very important Calafiori doesn't go to RuBe.

 

[Gal]

It's easy to criticise Spalletti as he fiddles around trying to assemble a coherent team, but let's be honest at least by saying this is a low-quality squad by Italian standards. How many players have really had a respectable tournament so far? For me it's Barella, Bastoni, Calafiori and Donnarumma and that's your lot. Even the other Inter players in Frattesi, Di Marco and Darmian (last night) have been poor.

It’s likely one of the worst I seen in my life… so yes it’s not the usual quality Italian coaches had to work with

 

[Il Drago]

The one in 2016 was even worse imo. You had an old Buffon, Juventus back 3, an old De Rossi (who got injured during the tournament), a 34-year old Motta and then players like Graziano Pelle, Simone Zaza, Eder, Giaccherini, Parolo, Sturaro, De Sciglio. And yet Conte reached quarter-finals and went out to Germany in penalties.

 

[CraigM]

The 2016 squad was especially poor in midfield and attack and its one saving grace was the BBC backline.

 

[brakbrak]

The one in 2016 was even worse imo. You had an old Buffon, Juventus back 3, an old De Rossi (who got injured during the tournament), a 34-year old Motta and then players like Graziano Pelle, Simone Zaza, Eder, Giaccherini, Parolo, Sturaro, De Sciglio. And yet Conte reached quarter-finals and went out to Germany in penalties.

Giaccherini went on super saiyan mode that year.

 

[ADRossi]

2016 was an awful team, yet they're the only recent Italian side to beat Spain without penalties.

 

[nerazzurro4ever]

https://www.reddit.com/r/Juve/comments/1dnn7p0/this_is_what_happens_when_your_national_team_is

No problem juve fans, when We want to lose 7 european finals, We'll call on your team's players.

 

[CraigM]

It is no secret that Spalletti wanted to take a sabbatical from football for at least season after winning the Scudetto with Napoli. However, when the Nazionale came knocking, he changed his mind and accepted the job.

If the FICG knew that he wanted to take time out and be away from the game then they should not have approached him to take the job. Doing so was ignoring the obvious red flag that he may have been burnt out and that football was not his priority at the time of leaving Napoli.

I do not think Spalletti is cut out for international football because he needs time to build his vision and consolidate a team. Coaching the Nazionale, he cannot be afforded that time. The infrequency of national team camps and the little time he gets to spend with the players counts against him. And as you can see, his shortcomings have been laid bare for the world to see.

The only reason Spalletti is the Nazionale's coach is because there was no one better, not because he is the best coach.

There are a lot of assumptions here. As was mentioned, he was royally pissed off with De Laurentis and the sabbatical was more likely his way of expressing his disgust at the way the Napoli owner tried to unilaterally extend his contract.

"Taking time to build a vision." Spalletti has been round the block enough times to understand the balancing act of trying to play the way he would like them to play with the balance of the squad and the need for results. He prefers a 433 but he showed just the other night he will alter that if he thinks it will yield better results. The infrequency of national team camps etc. counts against EVERY international manager, it's hardly unique to him.

"his shortcomings have been laid bare for the world to see." Well, I think the shortcomings of the squad have been laid bare. It's an ordinary bunch and there are a number of other nations out there currently doing little better despite much better raw material to work with.

'The only reason Spalletti is the Nazionale's coach is because there was no one better, not because he is the best coach.' So you are saying he was appointed because he was the best man for the job at the time, like every other management appointment ever?

 

[NimAraya]

Fabio Capello with a fantastic breakdown on the difference between Italy & Spain...

"The technical gulf starts from far away because our country does not cultivate quality anymore."

"Youth sectors teach tactics, but not technique and this is the long-term result. I coached in Madrid, and I know well how they play football in Spain."

"The best moment of the training session is the rondo, not because they can joke and relax, but because the technique commands."

"Many see Guardiola as their role model in Italy, but the Guardiola of ten years ago. Pep has evolved. This confusion has led to today’s limits. Our footballers never take responsibility when it comes to playing the ball or dribbling past an opponent."

"We have been confusing playing good football with sterile ball possession. Good Football is what Spain do currently."

"That’s the way to go. A model where Nico Williams, 21, always looks for one-v-one duels because ‘the coach wants so.'" (Gazzetta dello Sports)

 

[Glass box]

I think the Italian team who won the WC last time was shit and they still won. Italy finds ways to win. Same with the team who won the euro. Not the best team but the best team doesn’t always win

They played the best that Euro and they won it. The team probably wasn't the best on paper but they played the best football. To say they were a shit team is not true.

 

[nerazzurro4ever]

They played the best that Euro and they won it. The team probably wasn't the best on paper but they played the best football. To say they were a shit team is not true.

I think he means the 2006 team, even by Italian standards I think Italians viewed the teams from 1990-2002 better. Italy had the names in 2006 and did play well but I remember the group stage+R16 were a bit underwhelming, I think looking back from 1990-2002 how Italy didn't win more is ashame. They had the team/players.

Many people didn't like lippi either. WC 2010 kinda showed he won in 2006 because of the names, who by that point in 2010 were too old.

Italy euro 2020 was a decent team with an identity. With an actual forward, Italy would have won 3-1 against England in the final.

 

[brehme1989]

Italy 98 was the best Italy team in the last 30 years

Problem was that 98 version of most teams was their best as well

 

[Glass box]

I think he means the 2006 team, even by Italian standards I think Italians viewed the teams from 1990-2002 better. Italy had the names in 2006 and did play well but I remember the group stage+R16 were a bit underwhelming, I think looking back from 1990-2002 how Italy didn't win more is ashame. They had the team/players.

Many people didn't like lippi either. WC 2010 kinda showed he won in 2006 because of the names, who by that point in 2010 were too old.

Italy euro 2020 was a decent team with an identity. With an actual forward, Italy would have won 3-1 against England in the final.

Yeah my mistake, I misread it as the Euros

 

[Il Drago]

Italy 98 was the best Italy team in the last 30 years

Problem was that 98 version of most teams was their best as well

What a tournament that was. The summer that i fell in love with football. I had started watching during Euro 96 but 1998 WC really got me into football.

 

[IM21]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1806663749337481270

 

[IM21]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1806684783893700978

 

[Nerazzurri_Ninja]

FORZA ITALIA!!!

I hear were going back to 433, may it bring us success

 

[ADRossi]

So Pioli or Allegri?

 

[IM21]

Di Lorenzo has played all the minutes in the tournament.... Tells you all you need to know why the team was shit and why the coach needs to pack his bags asap.

its ok for Spalletti. He can always get a studio gig and give out some of his nice little speeches.

 

[brakbrak]

Empty cans make the loudest noise. What a disappointment.