Spalletti, there is something quixotic in the challenge to chase beauty beyond victory (Gazzetta)

Spalletti, there is something quixotic in the challenge to chase beauty beyond victory. Gazzetta dello Sport writes it in Luigi Garlando’s analysis.

Way back in 1995 we asked the young Spalletti, who had just landed in Serie A: «In which circle of hell would Dante Alighieri place you?». Luciano replied: «In that of the proud». His European Championship is this risk of pride: challenging everyone, including the strongest, with a national team that plays modern, cutting-edge, relational football, despite not having had the time necessary to educate him; despite having to ask almost all of his defenders to change their habits; despite not having the samples of others.

Spalletti, going from the bedlam of the proud to that of the presumptuous is a moment

A European Championship ago, against Spain, Mancini did not distort Italy, he did not betray his footballing principles, but he recognized the superiority of his opponents, he took a step back, he accepted less possession, he suffered as he had never suffered, but he created opportunities himself, dragged the Spaniards to penalties and eliminated them. It was a masterpiece of realism and common sense. Spalletti, on the other hand, went straight ahead without compromise. Luckily the blessed Gigio limited the damage. Going from the bedlam of the proud to that of the presumptuous is a moment. But the visionary Luciano is like this.

Perhaps, next time, he will make some changes to improve the sustainability of the Army, but he will continue to ask his soldiers to run forward, to press, play, attack and, if he sees them slowing down, he will shout: “You are too comfortable!”, legacy of the ancient sofa assembler. There is something noble, quixotic in Luciano’s timeless challenge that pursues beauty beyond victory. Don’t send him to hell. If he can get the kids involved in the vision, he might even get to heaven.

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