La Gazzetta dello Sport criticises Gabriele Gravina after Italy’s EURO 2024 exit, saying that the FIGC President ‘only looked for excuses’ while Luciano Spalletti ‘at least apologised.’
Italian fans and media analyse the Azzurri’s inglorious EURO 2024 exit in the Round of 16, as well as reactions from FIGC President Gravina and coach Spalletti.
The pair held a press conference on Sunday to confirm they won’t resign and explain the future plans for the national team and the whole federation.
However, while Spalletti apologised and took full responsibility for Italy’s elimination, Gravina blamed it on the clubs, the many foreign players in Serie A and youth teams, and a packed fixture list which left no time for the Azzurri to prepare adequately.
“At least Spalletti apologised, while Gravina only looked for excuses,” wrote La Gazzetta dello Sport deputy editor Stefano Agresti.
‘Gravina looking for excuses’ after Italy’s EURO 2024 exit
“Under his tenure, the Azzurri won the Euros at Wembley, but after that they once again fell into a nightmare.
“The President didn’t take responsibility and blamed the others,” such as foreign players or the fixture list.
“Are Italy the only team with no time to work?” Agresti asked sarcastically.
“Did De La Fuente and Yakin – two coaches who gave us a footballing lesson at the Euros – work with their players longer than Spalletti? Or perhaps dealing with a busy fixture list solely determined by FIFA and UEFA (of which Gravina is the vice president) is a common problem for all the teams in the world?
“The truth – concluded Agresti – is that we are worried after hearing the protagonists’ voice. This Italy side risk not qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. A breakthrough is needed, but can it come from the same men who made this mess?”
Another Gazzetta dello Sport journalist, Luigi Garlando, expressed concern over the Azzurri’s chances to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, while Fabio Capello blamed Spalletti, saying he looked “arrogant” at EURO 2024.
Pair of tossers both need sacking. CLOWNS 🤡🤡
Gravina had a point, BUT. Look at Spain & France, they also have many foreign players yet their national teams are still superior. The truth is, Azzurri lack the players like Maldini, Nesta, Del Piero, Totti, Inzaghi, Pirlo, Baresi etc. Current Azzurri rosters are mediocre.
Not really sure how you can blame gravina. the buck stops with the CT. It isn’t like gravina was picking the team, or on the pitch himself.
Sorry this one is on Spalletti . He picked el sheraway which sums it all up . He is stubborn and philosophical and not a motivator like let’s say conte was at 2016 with players like zaza . I would love to see gasperini given the chance
We are scarce, we don’t have the players no goals in the team , it is what it is if we don’t have quality how can we expect to win? We can’t!
omar
Its about where their youngsters are playing. France Spain and Germany may all have foreign players but when your top clubs who play European tournaments etc field 11 non-Italian players is when the problem starts. Said this time after time, sorry if you have seen it before but, i have watched Serie A matches where the ref is the only Italian on the field, so I ask how can we say this isn’t factor!
i agree with marco the one they have dont play bench sitters who care its over the sudetto tegion team thats all that matters in italy try bring in a tough foreign coach decipline physical ex who knos any more
all talk nothing chages ever does i agree marco
#gravinaout
Marco is correct. The “pundits” in the Italian media do NOT want to acknowledge the larger structural problem caused by Seria A. Why? Because solving the issue requires too much effort and shift in mentality.