The clouds and the heat of Malpensa are the backdrop to the sad return of the Azzurri. The day after the defeat against Switzerland, Spalletti’s national team returns home from Germany with their heads down. Very few fans at the airport, in an atmosphere that is a lifetime removed from what happened three years ago, after the Wembley triumph against England. Only dark faces and sad eyes. This is the postcard of failure.
meloncholy
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The day after the defeat against Switzerland, in the round of 16 of Euro 2024, was marked by a melancholy routine. In the morning there was a joint press conference by the federal president Gabriele Gravina and the coach. Together with the mea culpas, they confirmed the desire to look ahead and not to give up on a project now projected towards the 2026 World Cup. Then, preparations and departure from the airport of Dortmund after 4pm. Then, the silent stopover at Malpensa around 6.30pm, with several players getting off. Shortly after, the new departure for Rome. A desolate return, far from the crowds with chants and flags reserved for the Azzurri upon arrival in Germany. Three weeks ago, with very different expectations.
speak funny
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Leading the Italian troop is Luciano Spalletti, followed by the head of the delegation Buffon and then by the players. There are Chiesa, Buongiorno, Bastoni, Dimarco, Retegui, Gatti, Meret, Vicario, Fagioli, Bellanova, Cambiaso and Raspadori. The very few fans stand at the exit of the gate after hearing the news of the national team’s return from the reporters present. Of note is the civil attitude and no protests, with some children approaching the players for a few selfies. The only one to speak was Buffon: “We weren’t able to take off as we expected and hoped. Now we’re looking at qualifying for the World Cup, the minimum wage for Italy. However, we must take convincing steps compared to recent years. To this national team lack of talent? I don’t think so.” The final image is that of coach Spalletti, who greets all the players with a handshake. And he looks ahead.
few people in Fiumicino
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And after returning with their heads down to Malpensa, the script was repeated in Fiumicino, where the Ita flight with the Azzurri team landed at Terminal 5 at 7:47 p.m. A quarter of an hour after the Azzurri left, few to tell the truth. First a block with Calafiori, Scamacca, Zaccagni and Folorunsho, then the federal president Gravina who immediately got into a car to fly away, then intermittently Frattesi, Donnarumma and El Shaarawy. Only 5 fans were present, Donnarumma and Elsha signed autographs, Gigio also wanted to make a few jokes but couldn’t: “I’m sorry, I can’t say anything”. The others all left with their heads down, faces tense, disappointment painted on their faces. A couple of smiles only from Calafiori, one of the few to survive the disaster. Then off they went, some already headed to the other Fiumicino terminals for their holidays.
