What Can Football Coaches Learn From Italy’s Euro 2024 Exit

Italy are still licking their wounds after a disappointing EURO 2024 exit, but there are at least some valuable lessons that coaches can learn from the Azzurri’s poor performances in Germany.

Italy’s European title defence was a complete failure, not only because Luciano Spalletti’s men were knocked out in the Round of 16 at the hands of Switzerland but also because the playing style was nowhere near the standards expected under the ex-Napoli coach and because players showed a sloppy attitude, especially in the last match that cost them the elimination.

The best UK bookies suggested Italy were not the favourite to win a second consecutive European trophy, but not many expected to see them return home from Germany so early.

However, there are important lessons that every coach can learn from Italy’s elimination, and some of those have been well explained by legendary Italian managers Fabio Capello and Arrigo Sacchi.

Capello, an ex-England coach, recently told Gazzetta that the biggest lesson from the Euros is that teams should play “more vertical passes and fewer sterile ball possession.”

On the other hand, Capello’s predecessor at Milan, Arrigo Sacchi, focused more on the defensive and pressing aspects of the game.

Italy lost 1-0 in the group stage to eventual title winners Spain but the Azzurri’s narrow defeat did not reflect La Roja’s domination.

“I liked some things about Spain that I’ll underline and would like to see again in Serie A,” Sacchi said.

“First: the doubling up of marking during pressing. The timing of the aggression was always correct and in this way the departments always remained compact.”

Spain became European champions for the fourth time in history after beating England in a Final in Berlin, and even their impressive performances must give food for thought to Italy and Serie A.

The players always received the ball on the move, giving the English no points of reference,” continued Sacchi.

“Third thing: Excellent clearances both in the central and wide areas. This is how ball possession is created, by creating numerical superiority in the area where the action is taking place.”

Many fans and pundits also argue that Italy don’t have the same talented players as in the past, and it is indeed no secret that there are no more Alex Del Piero, Francesco Totti or Gianfranco Zola out there. At the same time, however, the Azzurri managed to win the Euros under Roberto Mancini three years ago when the group’s unity and a clear identity made the difference.

Italy lacked all these things in Germany under Spalletti and now the Azzurri coach must fix things quickly because the Azzurri must qualify at all costs for the 2026 World Cup after missing the last two editions. All coaches, including Spalletti, have a lot to learn from Italy’s EURO 2024 exit.