In the press conference in Iserlohn following Italy’s elimination from Euro 2024, the coach Luciano Spalletti he also spoke about the lack of personality and leadership figures within the blue group:
Yesterday there was also a lack of emotional reaction, how to react to this aspect?
“Players of the level of Chiellini and Bonucci are difficult to find, but we have also seen that by giving space to players like Calafiori, new protagonists can be found. We have to follow this path and go straight down this road, decisions have to be made on the pitch”.
Three years ago we saw that there was a unique group, a positive arrogance in wanting to challenge the limits. This one instead seemed to me to be a somewhat sad team, as if it were a burden to play this European Championship
“The mood in the team was perfect, very correct. Then I don’t know if you are referring to plastic smiles, but there was the right reflection on the importance of the tournament. There was a healthy group, a solid group and they don’t go away to tell lies. I don’t know what your impression might be, but I saw them calm in the things we could and should do both in training and outside. All very close, very friends, with this room all together playing I don’t know if the blue shirt could become a burden, but after this match we will try to understand and look for answers. Yesterday before leaving in the morning meeting we asked who wouldn’t feel like taking the penalty kick and there were several who didn’t raise their arm, who didn’t want to beat him. These tests will also be done to understand who feels capable of handling this pressure, but a complete and honest story must be given. Not so much to reveal it a fuss because there is already dust of its own”.