The Romanian coach, who has been active in Italy for a long time, commented on the disappointing elimination of the Azzurri from Euro 2024
Mircea Lucescu, historic Romanian coach with a past also at the helm of Inter, spoke to the microphones of Allsports of Italy’s many problems: “A generational change has been underway for years. If you try to make a team without names or experienced players, the coach cannot change anything. The victory at the European Championship three years ago was not enough to give impetus, players with personality are needed. Italy has always been rather conservative in keeping certain groups, players have remained in blue for too long in recent years. I am not referring to Chiellini or Bonucci, but to others, who should have been changed before“.
Is it more the mentality, the leadership or an offensive game that is missing?
“Who is the leader right now? Barella? Well, with all due respect to him, but it’s not enough. You need 4-5 quality and experienced players around which to build the group. Italy hasn’t been able to do that in recent years. Teams like Romania and Ukraine have succeeded, but Italy hasn’t. Why?“.
Yet there are good young players, otherwise you wouldn’t win championships as clearly as the last Under 17…
“Here, the problem is exactly here. I have always let good young players play, I made Pirlo debut in Serie A when he had only turned 16 two days before. The age range from 17 to 21 is the most delicate for a player: it is at that moment that he grows, explodes and becomes a champion or disappears. In Italy they send them, when things go well, to Serie B or C and leave them there for a few years, but in doing so they adapt to the level and when they are finally brought to Serie A they clash with already mature players without having acquired the right skills“.
So should we make them play in Serie A between the ages of 17 and 21?
“If they are good, why not? It doesn’t take years to consecrate a talent. Someone has to take responsibility for making them play“.
