After the defeat to Switzerland at EURO 2024, captain Luciano Spalletti said that AC Milan winning the championship 5 rounds early had no meaning for the Azzurri's achievements. Spalletti 's comment pointed out that the fact that Italian players play in Serie A is a major limitation when they cannot keep up with the fast-paced playing style being used in many other top championships in Europe. After that, the 65-year-old strategist advised domestic players to play more abroad.
In the opening match of the Nations League campaign against France, Italy fielded a squad with 9 players playing in the domestic league. Before the Azzurri fans had even warmed up in their seats, France opened the scoring in the first minute through Bradley Barcola.
It took 10 minutes after the goal to regain their composure and play style, and Italy began to take control of the game with a 3-5-1-1 formation. This is the way Spalletti used in March this year. Then, when entering EURO 2024, he was forced to change the way of playing due to the fact that the actual personnel were not suitable. When using it again against France, this way of operating proved effective.
With this style of play, Riccardo Calafiori drifted to the left of a three-man defence. Coupled with Samuele Ricci's versatility in supporting defence, Calafiori moved up more often to take on the role of interceptor as well as ball distributor. Arsenal's new signing showed his aggressiveness with his strong physical foundation and diverse tactical vision.
The Azzurri's wings were impressive in this match, with their ability to climb the flanks at high speed and continuously deliver the ball into the penalty area with great accuracy. Andrea Cambiaso was used in the right wing position, previously occupied by Federico Chiesa. The Juventus star, in addition to delivering the ball into the penalty area well, also had impressive cuts inside and caused disruption. Dimarco and Cambiaso's good performance on the two wings attracted a lot of French defenders, creating space for the attackers inside.
Sandro Tonali has returned to the Azzurri squad and has made an immediate impression. The Newcastle star, who has been out of action for nearly a year due to a betting ban, has been able to produce the same fluid passing and powerful interceptions he has shown in the Premier League.
The Azzurri's second-half attacking duo of Giacomo Raspadori and Mateo Retegui worked well together vertically. With such an attacking duo, Spalletti required his players to constantly move around the penalty area to switch positions. In the end, what he wanted was successful with Raspadori's goal to make it 3-1. This may be the 65-year-old strategist's consistent approach in the coming time.
After 70 years, in an official tournament, Italy defeated France away. After the match, Spalletti said this was a new beginning for the Azzurri, not the recent EURO 2024 journey.
In the near future, the Premier League's main players such as Tonali, Calafiori and Udogie will help Spalletti a lot. If Chiesa returns to form for Liverpool, Italy will have many players who are used to the fierce intensity every week, thereby no longer falling into a state of being overwhelmed like the recent EURO 2024 .
The 2026 World Cup campaign is just around the corner and there are still many variables that can come. However, a convincing victory over France right on the opponent's field can be considered a milestone to close a cruel summer for Spalletti, the Azzurri and the tifosi.
