Nervous at the goal. Lucius and shadowsthe anxieties of a coach who is unable to enjoy the moment, suffocated by tension, annoyed by the possibility that, within the group, there is a mole. A spy. Italy reaches the round of 16 without smiles. The news, according to Spalletti’s thoughts, would not be the pact between team and coach, also because the history of football is full of them, but let someone tell what happens inside the sacred retreat. Secrecy obsesses the blue coach. Luciano is a maniac check and of confidentiality.
The fort with security
The Iserlohn pitch, where the Azzurri train every day, has been transformed into a kind of fortsheltered with tarpaulins and guarded by a series of security personnel that protect work. The lead-up to the decisive match against Croatia was more laborious than usual. Spalletti tested a team on the eve of the match and chose another, different in terms of men (three) and also in tactical attitude. The turning point, compared to Spain, was evident. And maybe auspicious. But unusual and not very linear compared to consolidated habits. Like giving the group training only at the last moment, in the technical meeting before going to the stadium.
Gravina’s diplomacy
The question about the alleged locker room pact sparked the coach’s question: “Pact for others or for us?” he wondered. The spat with a national radio correspondent, before the eyes of the feds, led by President Gravina, still happy with the qualifying draw and the escape from danger, increased the tension in the heart of the Leipzig stadium. It was Spalletti himself who gave strength to the idea that someone, within the Azzurri headquarters, don’t keep secrets: «There is an external and an internal environment, if someone from the inside talks about the things that happen inside, it hurts the national team». The man from Certaldo could not be clearer than this. The evening was long and difficult, on the pitch until the last-gasp equalizer and in the interviews, first on TV and then in the press room. Spalletti, despite having just achieved qualification in a very tough group, appeared nervous and defensive. He thinks that someone is betraying him and that his authority in front of the group is being questioned.
Mole hunting
Gravina intervened with the art of diplomacy. So the coach, before getting on the plane to Dortmund (the team arrived in Iserlohn at 4 in the morning), telephoned the journalist with whom he had the disagreement and he apologized. Who knows if he will leave now the mole huntwhich could be useless and take away precious energy.
Better focus on Switzerland, which took us away from the World Cup in Qatar. Now we plan to take revenge. And we hope that Zaccagni’s masterpiece goal served to unblock the team, just as it happened thirty years ago at the American World Cup, when Baggio scored with Nigeria at the last gasp, leading Sacchi’s Italy to the final in Pasadena . We can hope that it has taken place the right spark.
Italy without identity
We have a soul, but no identity. Spalletti searches for it, without finding it: he tried the path of play, through domination and possession, then that of resilience. The criticism annoyed him, feels under siege. But everything can change in a flash. There is a need to work and a new serenity. The team, despite the “well deserved” qualification, as the coach was keen to underline, didn’t like it: “We do things that are illogical and too normal for our level.” The growth must be technical and psychological because his national team has shown a certain fragility, which according to Spalletti is the fault of the attachment to the shirt which increases the pressure and the timidity of those who, thinking of a draw, have seen fit to limit the initiatives «it is not possible he knows well why.” The security derived from limited international experience is also lacking. Whoever has it, rides the games without a tomorrow with a different spirit.
Italy against Croatia was initially tense and ultimately desperate. “There are some things you have to get your hands on,” Luciano said. Also because undefeated Switzerland wants to play another bad joke on us. From today, after a day of vacation to release the adrenaline, he is back on the field. We expect more from the heroes of Wembley. Donnarumma has kept us up until now, they have to grow By Lorenzo, Jorginho, Church, Barella himself. And we need goals from the center forwards. Spalletti will have to worry about replace Calafiori, his best discovery. The Bolognese’s explosive descent in the equalizer counts as a goal, but he is disqualified and Bastoni will need a new teammate. Mancini and Buongiorno are running.
