Luciano Spalletti’s adventure on the bench of Italy has already ended. Arriving after the surprise resignation of Roberto Mancini, the former Napoli coach closes a chapter that can be considered negative.

For the coach from Certaldo, 23 matches as Italy’s CT and a haul of 11 victories, 6 draws, and 6 almost always stinging defeats. Below is a roundup of his moments as Italy’s selector from his debut on September 9, 2023, against Macedonia to the debacle the other day with Norway.

EUROPEAN FLOP, ITALY NEVER IN THE RACE

Although at the starting blocks as the title holder, Italy presented itself at the Europeans to try to make a good impression and, in the process, figure out what to do. The reality was completely different.

Advertisement

From the record disadvantage with Albania (then recovered), passing through the KO with Spain and Zaccagni’s draw at the end with Croatia to the desolate and humiliating performance in the round of 16 with Switzerland.

A campaign that had in Zaccagni’s goal the only highlight (still worth a draw) in a sea of mediocrity and negativity.

NATIONS GOOD… UNTIL GERMANY

Setting aside the disappointment of the European Championship, Italy tried to redeem itself in the Nations League, starting off very strong by beating France in Paris. A historic victory signed by Frattesi, Dimarco, Raspadori that had given new life, hope, and vitality around the National team.

Advertisement

The journey in the Nations League was positive until the match with France, the last of the group: the French returned the favor at home, opening the cracks that then always showed at San Siro against Germany in the quarterfinals.

1-2 for the Germans who, on the return, in a crazy match, maintain the advantage for the passage of the round after a 3-3 matured, however, after the Germans had gone ahead 3 to 0.

NORWAY HAT-TRICK AND DISASTER

The 3-3 with Germany in March was the last match before the shipwreck in Oslo. An Italy called to reconquer the World Cup is beaten and humiliated by Haaland’s Norway, losing 3 to 0 and effectively bringing the end of the Spalletti chapter.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.

📸 FABRICE COFFRINI – AFP or licensors