Cesar Prandelliinterviewed by Gazzetta dello Sport, tries to analyse the Italian debacle at Euro 2024.
How do you react to the terrible blow that arrived in this European Championship?
“The defeat is not a problem in itself. I’m sure it will be metabolised soon and the Azzurri will be full of energy for the challenge with France in September. They won’t be afraid. However, a different type of reaction will be needed”.
Which?
“Rejuvenation, as Spalletti said, is necessary. But not so much in age, given that Italy is young. We will have to be younger in team spirit. In the head. Too many questions are unanswered. How is it possible that you have a coach like Spalletti, a delegation leader like Buffon, and you don’t react? What happened in Berlin? The players seemed catatonic. How can you judge a performance like that? Given Georgia?”
Is there really a problem of distance between coach and coach? Do you learn to become coach?
“Very difficult question. There is no real answer, because the big tournaments, even the ones we have won, are often conditioned by episodes. You can intervene up to a certain point. But you certainly have to reduce your ego, your self, and make yourself available: in the sense that you have to adapt to the players. You are not a federal coach who has known them since they were fourteen. You have little time, little confidence. A synthesis is needed. Choose and make them the protagonists. You do not coach Spain”.
Are tactical measures needed? Maybe we overdid it with the substitutions…
“I wasn’t in Spalletti’s head, he probably had no guarantees, he received less than reassuring answers and he tried to find balance somehow. It wasn’t easy either: the Inter block disappointed because they were down, they had won the championship too early to stay in condition. It’s sad to say but that’s how it is. However, a project must certainly be found”.
