If someone were to ask for a straightforward summary of Italy’s performance against Switzerland in their Euro 2024 round of 16 match, “Not Good” would be a significant understatement. In reality, Italy’s showing on that pitch was alarmingly close to being outright bad, a stark contrast to the glorious memories of their World Cup victory on the same ground eighteen years prior.
To imagine, back on that celebratory night at the Olympiastadion, if you had suggested it would mark Italy’s last appearance in a World Cup knockout game for two decades, you would have been met with disbelief. Yet, witnessing Saturday’s match against Switzerland, the reasons behind this 20-year drought become painfully clear. This Italian team appeared utterly disconnected, lacking the synergy expected at this level. As one supporter aptly noted, it seemed as though the players were not enjoying their time playing together. Forget about crafting scoring opportunities; this team struggled to even escape their own half for extended periods of the game.
Luciano Spalletti, once celebrated for his possession-based, attacking tactics that propelled Napoli to Scudetto victory, spent much of the match against Switzerland a picture of frustration on the sidelines. He appeared utterly baffled, seemingly without a clue on how to reverse the unfolding disaster. This mirrored his bewildered demeanor in the second half against Croatia. It was as if Spalletti had never contemplated an opponent proactively pressing his team, nor prepared his players to effectively counter such pressure.
Consequently, Italy floundered, repeatedly surrendering possession back to a well-organized Swiss side. Defensively, they were consistently out of position, exemplified by Remo Freuler’s unmarked run for Switzerland’s opening goal and the unchallenged space afforded to Ruben Vargas to unleash a stunning strike, doubling their lead just 27 seconds into the second half.
It wasn’t until the 73rd minute that Italy managed a shot on target, a weak attempt from range by Mateo Retegui easily collected by Yann Sommer. Prior to that, Italy’s most dangerous moment was a misplaced pass from Nicolo Fagioli that narrowly missed becoming an own goal, saved only by the post. Moments later, when a genuinely threatening ball was delivered into the Swiss box, Gianluca Scamacca—Serie A’s top Italian scorer with 12 goals—inexplicably failed to convert from point-blank range, hitting the post instead of the back of the net.
While the players must shoulder some responsibility for their lackluster performance, the lion’s share of the blame falls squarely on Spalletti for the tournament’s disastrous trajectory. Following the opening match against Albania, his decisions consistently backfired. He persisted with the 4-2-3-1 formation that worked against Albania, only to be overrun in midfield against Spain. Switching to a 3-5-2 against Croatia resulted in Italy being pinned back for the majority of the game.
Spalletti made a staggering six changes from the lineup that narrowly advanced against Croatia, inexplicably omitting Mattia Zaccagni, the scorer of the crucial goal. Instead, Stephan El Shaarawy, who hadn’t played a single minute in the tournament, was selected and promptly substituted for Zaccagni at halftime. Further changes were delayed until the hour mark, long after it became evident that drastic measures were needed.
Numerous criticisms can be leveled at Spalletti’s management throughout this tournament, none of them positive. One would hope that this disappointing campaign, culminating in such an exit, would serve as a catalyst for significant reforms within Italian football. However, considering the failure of two previous World Cup qualifying attempts to spark meaningful change, optimism remains scarce.
Key Tactical Failures Against Switzerland
Midfield Mismatch and Defensive Lapses
Italy’s midfield was consistently second-best against Switzerland. The expected control and creativity from the central areas were absent, allowing Switzerland to dominate possession and dictate the tempo of the game. The pairing in central midfield was unable to cope with the Swiss dynamism and tactical setup.
Defensively, the errors were glaring. For the first goal, the marking on Freuler was non-existent, a fundamental breakdown in defensive organization. The second goal, conceded so quickly after the restart, highlighted a lack of focus and awareness, allowing Vargas too much time and space to shoot. These defensive lapses were not isolated incidents but rather symptomatic of a wider disarray in Italy’s structure and discipline.
Ineffective Attacking Strategies
Italy’s attacking play was blunt and predictable. The possession-based approach, which Spalletti favors, became sterile and lacked penetration. They struggled to create meaningful chances, relying on hopeful long balls and individual efforts rather than cohesive attacking moves.
The selection of forwards also came under scrutiny. While Scamacca is a capable Serie A striker, he appeared isolated and lacked service in this match. The failure to convert a clear chance further compounded Italy’s attacking woes, highlighting a lack of sharpness and confidence in front of goal. The absence of Zaccagni from the start, a player who had shown attacking intent and produced a goal in the previous game, was a perplexing decision.
Spalletti’s Questionable Substitutions and Tactical Rigidity
Spalletti’s in-game management was a major talking point. The delayed substitutions and the nature of the changes raised questions about his adaptability and reading of the game. Bringing on El Shaarawy, who was not match-fit, and then quickly replacing him, suggested a lack of clear plan or confidence in his initial choices.
Sticking rigidly to formations and personnel even when they were clearly not working against the opposition showed a lack of tactical flexibility. A more proactive and decisive approach in making substitutions and adjusting tactics could have potentially altered the course of the match.
Looking Ahead: A Need for Italian Football Reassessment
Despite the bitter disappointment of this Euro 2024 exit at the hands of Switzerland, there are glimmers of hope for Italian football. The successes of the youth national teams, with the U19 and U17 squads winning European Championships and the U20 team reaching the World Cup final, indicate a pool of emerging talent. Players like Cesare Casadei and Francesco Camarda, recognized as top performers in youth tournaments, could provide the attacking spark that the senior team desperately needs.
However, the crucial challenge is to nurture and integrate these young talents effectively, preventing them from becoming another generation of unfulfilled potential, a common issue in Italian football. This tournament should serve as a harsh but necessary lesson, prompting a deep and comprehensive reassessment of coaching philosophies, tactical approaches, and youth development strategies within Italian football to ensure future success on the international stage.
