Italy head coach Luciano Spalletti said a lack of “sharpness and tempo” and the summer weather had been among the elements which had left his side “unable to do more” than a limp Uefa Euro 2024 exit against Switzerland in the round of 16.
The holders had one shot on target as goals by Remo Freuler and Ruben Vargas gave the Nati a convincing victory and ensured the Azzurri will not be in the quarter-finals for the first time since 2004.
“There is a long path ahead,” said Spalletti, who replaced Roberto Mancini in September 2023, speaking to RAI (via Football Italia).
“We’ll approach that slowly, but naturally we need a higher tempo from the team. Even without talking about quality, we need more spirit of sacrifice, more consistency closing down the opponents, getting back into shape, pressing.
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Euro 2024: Italy out
“Unfortunately, many things also came from the way we ended the season,” rued Spalletti. “Our players weren’t in exceptional form and, with the temperature this high too, it becomes difficult.”
Italy had a poor campaign, only progressing in second place in Group B in last-gasp fashion when Mattia Zaccagni scored a 98th-minute equaliser in their closing group-stage draw against Croatia.
They impressed in coming from behind to see off underdogs Albania 2-1 in their opening game but were then beaten 1-0 by a Spain side who looked far more like potential champions.
Spalletti: Italy ‘too slow’
Spalletti’s players started as favourites against Switzerland but offered little, the score already 2-0 by the time Fabian Schar headed against his own post and Gianluca Scamacca’s shot hit the woodwork.
“It’s true that the goal at the start of the second half knocked the confidence out of us,” said Spalletti, discussing Vargas’ curled effort 27 seconds after the break.
“Even if we were in their half, we were not incisive. What made the difference was the tempo; we were too slow compared to them in the first half.
“Even in terms of individuals, there was a different tempo of the movements and the duels. Unfortunately, sharpness and tempo makes the difference.
“I thought perhaps if I gave them time to recover and changed a few players, they’d be sharper. At this moment, for too many reasons, we are unable to do more than this right now.”