A video of Andrea Barzagli crying during a post-match interview after Italy’s EURO 2016 elimination has gone viral, while the Azzurri are being blamed for their attitude during this summer’s Euros.
Luciano Spalletti is not seen as the only one responsible for Italy’s EURO 2024 elimination, as fans, media, and even CONI President Giovanni Malagò and Italy Sports Minister Andrea Abodi have blamed footballers for the attitude they showed against Switzerland in a 2-0 loss on Saturday.
Malagò even said FIGC President Gabriele Gravina felt ‘betrayed’ by the footballers and many fans certainly feel the same.
In recent hours, a video from the 2016 European campaign has emerged on social media, showing ex-Azzurri star Barzagli in tears after being eliminated on penalties by Germany in the quarter-finals.
“We gave our all. Unfortunately, the defeat remains. Nothing will remain about all the nice things we’ve done because that’s how it works when you go out,” said Barzagli, breaking down in tears.
Barzagli interview from 2016 explains what was wrong with Italy players at EURO 2024
“We are disappointed by the fact that for a few years, nobody will remember this national team that gave their all. We had a great desire to spend time together.”
The video has gone viral and commented on by many fans.
Barzagli’s tears proved the commitment of an Italian legend and veteran who had already won the World Cup with the Azzurri ten years earlier, in a Final against France at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, the same place where the Azzurrri miserably lost to Switzerland the other day.
Although Spalletti has been blamed by many, including Fabio Capello, for his tactical decisions and “arrogance,” the players’ lack of reaction and poor attitude also irritated the fans, who even refused Gigio Donnarumma’s apology in Berlin on Saturday.
Many saw Conte’s Italy as one of the less technically gifted in La Nazionale’s entire history, but their pride and desire to win conquered the country and are still remembered by many despite Barzagli’s prediction.
— Frank (@1897_frank) July 1, 2024
The current crop need to put as much effort into the games as they do with their anthem singing.
And that’s the difference
If the current Italian players were less interested in Instagram and their next tattoo or haircut we may actually win something
To be fair, they took the interview from the ONLY player that did decent. I can see why he isn’t so down, but take any other player they should be weeping on the floor and they likely wouldn’t.
But again, the comparison is not too good because of Gigis performance actually not being bad…however, he did seem indifferent (even if that wasn’t his actual mood, that’s the vibe he gives).
I actually thought Califiori and Bastone were the best two outfield players but the rest were clueless. Conte played an old wing back system with a Sunderland player in it, but it was a working system. Spalletti changed formation each time, hence no cohesion.
I agree with the comments of FERBAN, Adrian and Paulo! It is disgusting to say the least!
It’s time to look at the youth u19s etc