Yahoo Sports ‘Gravina looking for excuses’ after Italy’s EURO 2024 exit
La Gazzetta dello Sport criticises Gabriele Gravina after Italy’s EURO 2024 exit, saying that the FIGC President ‘only looked for excuses’ while Luciano Spalletti ‘at least apologised.’
Italian fans and media analyse the Azzurri’s inglorious EURO 2024 exit in the Round of 16, as well as reactions from FIGC President Gravina and coach Spalletti.
The pair held a press conference on Sunday to confirm they won’t resign and explain the future plans for the national team and the whole federation.
However, while Spalletti apologised and took full responsibility for Italy’s elimination, Gravina blamed it on the clubs, the many foreign players in Serie A and youth teams, and a packed fixture list which left no time for the Azzurri to prepare adequately.
“At least Spalletti apologised, while Gravina only looked for excuses,” wrote La Gazzetta dello Sport deputy editor Stefano Agresti.
‘Gravina looking for excuses’ after Italy’s EURO 2024 exit
“Under his tenure, the Azzurri won the Euros at Wembley, but after that they once again fell into a nightmare.
“The President didn’t take responsibility and blamed the others,” such as foreign players or the fixture list.
“Are Italy the only team with no time to work?” Agresti asked sarcastically.
“Did De La Fuente and Yakin – two coaches who gave us a footballing lesson at the Euros – work with their players longer than Spalletti? Or perhaps dealing with a busy fixture list solely determined by FIFA and UEFA (of which Gravina is the vice president) is a common problem for all the teams in the world?
“The truth – concluded Agresti – is that we are worried after hearing the protagonists’ voice. This Italy side risk not qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. A breakthrough is needed, but can it come from the same men who made this mess?”
Another Gazzetta dello Sport journalist, Luigi Garlando, expressed concern over the Azzurri’s chances to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, while Fabio Capello blamed Spalletti, saying he looked “arrogant” at EURO 2024.
