Coach Luciano Spaletti, a "master" who presented 스포츠중계 Kim Min-jae with the Serie A trophy last year, is on the verge of stepping down from the Italian national soccer team after just a year.
Italy lost 0-2 in the round of 16 of the UEFA 2024 European Championship (Euro 2024) against Switzerland at Olympia Stadion Berlin, located in Berlin, Germany, on the 30th (Korea Standard Time).
Italy, the defending champion and one of the favorites to win the tournament, 실시간중계 reached the round of 16 as second place in the Group of Death, which includes Spain, Croatia and Albania, but failed to challenge Switzerland for a second consecutive victory as it knelt down to Switzerland, which is considered a dark horse in each tournament.
Italy brought up a 4-3-3 formation. Matteo Darmian, Alessandro Bastoni, Gianluca Mancini and Giovanni Diorenzo formed the defensive line while Gianluigi Donnarumma kept the goal. Niccolo Barella, Niccolo Fazioli and Brian Christante took charge of the midfield. Stefan Elsharawi and Federico Chiesa supported Gianluca Scamacca in the center from the side.
Spain faced off with a 3-4-2-1 epitome. Jan Zomer wore goalkeeper gloves. 해외축구중계 Ricardo Rodriguez, Manuel Akanji and Fabian Shea built the back three. Michel Evisher and Dan Ndoi worked on the side, while Granit Xhaka and Remo Froiler worked in the center. Ruben Vargas and Fabian Leader were deployed in the second line. Brill Embolo stood on the front line.
Switzerland laughed first in a fierce battle throughout the first half. Vargas, who created a good chance for Embolo in the 37th minute of the first half, this time passed to Freiler. Freiler tried to shoot with strong power toward the Italian goal, which hit Donnarumma and was sucked into the goal.
Italy ended the first half 0-1 and replaced El Sharawi with Matia Zakani to start the second half. The intention was to change the team's sluggish offense and pave the way for a come-from-behind victory.
However, as Switzerland scored an additional goal just one minute into the second half, Italy's plan went up in smoke. Vargas, who received Ebischer's pass after causing confusion in the Italian defense by exchanging passes from the side, scored a wonder goal with a right-footed shot that drew a big trajectory from the left side of the box.
Italy didn't have a big chance. Scamacca hit the post in the 29th minute of the second half as the only critical chance was that it had. Unable to recover even a single goal, Italy accepted a shocking report card indicating its elimination from the round of 16.
The arrows of criticism went to the players who showed poor performance throughout the event. Of course, Coach Spalletti could not be free from criticism.
Gary Lineker, a former England legend striker, harshly criticized the BBC, saying, "I've never seen Italy worse in my life."
Alan Shearer also pointed out, "What on earth happened three years ago until now? It was an incredibly shocking performance. He could not fight back in any position. Italy was too weak."
Rio Ferdinand said: "It was a mess. There seemed to be no action against Switzerland in any scenario," pointing out that Italy was not prepared at all.
After the match, Spaletti also admitted that the team had no choice but to lose. "We were passive, and our performance was not good. We couldn't even exert high level of pressure. The speed was too slow in the back as well, and we gave Switzerland room."
Spaletti and Italy are under contract until 2026. However, the news spread that they could part ways early on after failing at the Euros.
Citing a report by Italian Gazeta delo Sport, the Daily Mail said, "Coach Spalletti's leadership in the team has completely failed. La Repubblica called Italy one of the worst national teams in recent years," while Corriere della Sera said the team was "horrific," adding that there is a growing number of negative assessments of Spalletti there.
Global sports media ESPN also said, "The responsibility for Italy's elimination of Euro 2024 lies with Spaletti," adding that Spaletti could step down from his position.