Italy secured a 2-0 victory against Moldova in what turned out to be Luciano Spalletti's last game as the national team coach. The match, played in Reggio Emilia, saw goals from Napoli forward Giacomo Raspadori and Juventus full-back Andrea Cambiaso, ensuring Italy claimed their first points in the group.
Spalletti's Departure
Spalletti revealed that he was informed after the 3-0 defeat to Norway that he would be relieved of his duties. Despite leading Italy to Euro 2024 as reigning champions, their exit in the last 16 against Switzerland impacted his position. He expressed disappointment in not being able to make the desired difference, stating, "When you're the national team coach you have no excuses, it's you who selects the squad. It's the coach who has to make the difference and unfortunately I wasn't able to do that."
Game Atmosphere and Player Fatigue
The match against Moldova was played in a subdued atmosphere. Spalletti cited fatigue among the players as a contributing factor to Italy's underwhelming performance. "I maintained this group, but I found them really fatigued at this stage of the season," he noted. He suggested that selecting players in better physical condition might have yielded better results, but the overall demanding campaign had taken a toll on the squad. He however, expects a different performance from the team in September.
Capello on Italy's Crisis
Following the loss to Norway, former coach Fabio Capello commented on the situation, stating it's now unusual for managers to resign in Italy, adding that he didn't understand why Riccardo Calafiori couldn't be called up for games in June. Capello admitted it's 'normal' to see Luciano Spalletti on the brink.
Looking Ahead
Italy's next World Cup qualifiers are scheduled against Estonia and Israel on September 5th and 8th, respectively. The team will be looking to improve their performance and secure crucial points for their World Cup campaign.