- Italy lose 2-0 to Switzerland
- FIGC president talks about disappointment
- Spalletti to remain as coach
WHAT HAPPENED?
Italy’s 2-0 loss to dark horses Switzerland was a major surprise to the 2020 European Champions as goals from Remo Feuler and Ruben Vargas dumped Luciano Spalletti’s side out of the competition at the round of 16 stage. Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president Gabriele Gravina has now revealed what the future holds for their coach and talked about the disappointing exit from the tournament.
WHAT GRAVINA SAID
Speaking at a press conference, Gravina said: “The mechanism gets stuck on the lack of valorisation of young people. If you think about our controversies they concern these issues. We have spring teams with 100% foreigners. We have tried to reduce the age in the minor national teams while the spring they have raised it. The continuous search for short-term results does not allow us to valorise the boys. We must also reflect on the fact that many protagonists of the U17 triumph do not play in the various Primavera teams.
“There will be some deep reflections. Last night we began to discuss ourselves with Luciano Spalletti. We only have one way to be able to do it and to understand that when you fall, as happened to us, you have to have the ability to get up with your ideas and work. I deal with problems through work. I don’t have the culture of running away from difficulties.
“A reflection that we all made together: me, Gigi, the coach. We shared the disappointment with the boys because we are not talking about a group that does not take its responsibilities. We have nothing to hide, we are all responsible. Last night we had a long chat with the coach. I am very pragmatic and I think it is very wrong to leave a multi-year project after 8 months at the first difficulties.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Gravina also talked about the long-term vision to improve the Italian national team with development plans alongside the Serie A as they look to prepare for the future.
“Since yesterday evening we have started a new path with a comparison,” he said. “By identifying the errors, the immediate response was to implement all the actions that will avoid these errors. We have already started 5-6 technicians working in the Serie A to create greater dialogue and discussion for the valorisation of children and young people.
“When we spoke with Spalletti we were aiming for 2026. We can base all our expectations but we must always deal with reality. No one can guarantee a result. We must commit ourselves to the maximum. It is no coincidence that the federation has been doing everything for young people since 2018, and this has led to great results. We are starting a great competition like the Nations League in 60 days other conditions that the coach has to work on. We are further away than we thought in terms of the work to be done. We can’t give up. We have to recover the ability to raise awareness and bring out the best in these guys It’s a disaster not to get to the next World Cup.
“There are national and international laws that prevent us from imposing things on entrepreneurial companies. The fact is cultural and depends on some numbers. In Serie A we have 32% of selectable players. We are strenuously resisting opening up again. more the registration of non-EU citizens. We don’t understand that working with young people is an investment and not a cost, to change this. I would also like to point out that there is no conflict between me and politics. There is a very normal debate that takes place in every country.”
WHAT NEXT FOR ITALY?
Gravina also revealed that he has not decided whether or not to compete in the elections next year for the presidency of GIFC. Italy will now start looking ahead to the 2026 World Cup, which they will be desperate to qualify for after failing to make the tournament in both 2022 and 2018.
