Does Spalletti deserve criticism after Italy's failure at EURO 2024?

The Italian team could not successfully defend the EURO championship. Photo: AFP

Italy's failure to defend their EURO title does not mean Luciano Spalletti's tenure will end. However, tifosi cannot help but be disappointed by the Azzurri's lackluster performance.

EURO 2024 is a chance for Italy to show progress ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, a tournament they must qualify for after a decade of absence. However, Spalletti's team has "regressed". Donnarumma and his teammates have only won one match against Albania, drawn with Croatia and lost weakly to Spain and Switzerland.

In addition, the defense and attack failed to perform at their best. Forwards like Gianluca Scamacca, Mateo Retegui and Giacomo Raspadori failed to score. In defense, the Azzurri did not show the steel shield they had three years ago.

Italy have suffered far worse defeats than the Swiss defeat. Defeats like the one against North Macedonia in 2022 are nightmarish memories. But the way they have performed at this year's tournament has been far more heartbreaking.

Spalletti's Italy team had only one shot on target in the 0-2 loss to Switzerland in the round of 16 of EURO 2024. Photo: AFP

Spalletti himself blamed the over-preparation between the Albania and Spain games for the exhaustion of his players, and he prioritised freshness for his team. He also made six changes to the starting line-up against Switzerland, using the likes of Mancini, Cristante, El Shaarawy and Fagioli for the first time at the tournament.

However, Spalletti's side were slow again, as they had been in the defeat to Spain. The tempo of their opponents was too high for Italy to match or maintain. A lack of pace in defence also hampered the high pressing style that the Azzurri boss wanted.

At EURO 2024, Luciano Spalletti will rely on Inter Milan players as the core. Despite their good form last season, this may mean they cannot maintain their momentum after winning the championship too soon with the Nerazzurri.

Italy have also been hit hard by injuries. Most notably, Destiny Udogie is set to miss out on starting left-back Federico Dimarco. Other stars such as Francesco Acerbi, Nicolo Zaniolo and Domenico Berardi are also ruled out of the tournament due to injury.

Italy was completely defeated by Switzerland. Photo: EURO 2024

Fitness issues were one of the main reasons, but tactics also played a big part in the Azzurri's defeat. Spalletti was annoyed by comments about not having a fixed squad. In fact, the systems deployed by Italy at EURO 2024 were tested in the qualifiers and friendlies leading up to the tournament. However, Spalletti never played with the same squad. Each time he played, it was like the first time, lacking connection and a clear style of play.

The only player to be praised was captain Gianluigi Donnarumma, who saved Italy from a worse defeat. Even the PSG goalkeeper felt the Azzurri lacked inspiration in this tournament.

Donnarumma had impressive form at EURO 2024 but could not help Italy advance. Photo: AFP

EURO 2020 was an exception as Italy maintained a record 38-game unbeaten run. Roberto Mancini knows his best XI, while Spalletti does not.

“We haven’t found a clear squad. Maybe I need time to get to know the players better,” Spalletti admitted.

Luciano Spalletti will remain with the Italian national team for the foreseeable future after the president of the Italian Football Federation - Gabriele Gavrina affirmed that he still has full faith in the 65-year-old strategist. However, perhaps the journey for this captain to help the Azzurri regain their golden age will be very long.

Source: https://laodong.vn/bong-da-quoc-te/spalletti-co-dang-bi-chi-trich-sau-that-bai-cua-tuyen-italy-tai-euro-2024-1359939.ldo