Spalletti under fire, Italian media pinpoint three key reasons for Spain defeat

Following Italy's 1-0 loss to Spain in EURO 2024, former coach Arrigo Sacchi refrained from blaming Luciano Spalletti, but other pundits criticized the team's lack of humility and questioned Spalletti's tactical decisions.

Chirag

June 21, 2024

Italian Media On Luciano Spalletti — Claudio Villa/Getty Images for FIGC

Former Italy coach Arrigo Sacchi refrained from criticizing Luciano Spalletti following Italy’s 1-0 loss to Spain, yet other Italian pundits argue that the Azzurri should have shown more humility. They contend that Spalletti’s decisions regarding the starting lineup and substitutions were flawed.

Italy suffered a bitter defeat to Spain on Thursday night after an impressive EURO 2024 debut against Albania.

Sacchi declined to fault CT Spalletti, but the prevailing sentiment across the country is markedly different.

Beppe Bergomi, a 1982 Italy World Cup winner and Sky Sport Italia pundit, remarked that Italy failed to acknowledge Spain’s superiority early on and lacked the required humility.

There were comparisons drawn to their previous encounter at the 2021 European Championships, where Spain dominated play but Italy emerged victorious on penalties.

“They played better than us, although not as much as this time,” argued the former defender.

La Gazzetta dello Sport criticized Spalletti’s tactical substitutions, both those made and those omitted.

“Spalletti remains a talented coach, but some of his decisions were questionable,” remarked Stefano Agresti, the newspaper’s deputy editor.

“Starting with the choice to field Di Lorenzo against Nico Williams and persisting with him for too long. The initial lineup was incorrect, and subsequent substitutions were equally unconvincing as Di Lorenzo remained on the pitch with Chiesa. Spain exploited Italy on that flank during the first half.

“It’s not entirely Spalletti’s fault as Italy lacks the quality of Spain’s players, but this time, some of his decisions fell short.”

Former Inter coach Andrea Stramaccioni also held Spalletti responsible and provided perhaps the harshest critique.

“It’s a major setback. A clear failure of Spalletti’s strategy,” he asserted on RAI.

“Against Albania, we witnessed a proactive team for 70 minutes, but with the substitutions of Jorginho and Chiesa, he demonstrated a loss of faith. He distorted the team excessively in the second half.”