FIGC President Gabriele Gravina has addressed the media following Italy’s elimination from EURO 2024 on Saturday night, confirming that Luciano Spalletti will proceed in his function as head coach, whereas additionally apologising for the group’s shortcomings over the previous couple of weeks.
Italy have been knocked out of EURO 2024 on the spherical of 16 following a depressing 2-0 defeat to Switzerland in Berlin on Saturday night.
Talking at a highly-anticipated press convention in Iserlohn in Germany on Sunday, Gravina apologised to Azzurri supporters, shared insights from the dressing room on Saturday, whereas additionally outlining plans for upcoming Nations League matches and the World Cup qualifying marketing campaign.
Gravina thanks and apologises to Italy supporters
Making an attempt to take the positives after a troublesome day for Italian soccer, Gravina mentioned that right this moment is ‘particular’ in that it is a chance to replicate, study and develop.
“I want to thank those that have made a big contribution to this occasion. Having round 40,000 attendees right here at Casa Azzurri is a constructive signal. At present is a special occasion, there are such a lot of emotions and issues to replicate on from yesterday. We’re sorry for not having been capable of give the Italian followers the enjoyment they deserved, sorry for the consequence, we all know that these items are topic to numerous completely different variables, together with defeat,” Gravina mentioned, reported through Corriere dello Sport.
“What stays is the frustration of not having been capable of give again and never having reacted in the best way we all know learn how to after the whole lot that has been carried out for us. That is the frustration that we should all replicate upon.
“Final night time the coach, Buffon and the entire group started speaking, the boys shared all of the accountability, we’ve got nothing to cover, we’re all accountable.”
Gravina places belief in Spalletti
Gravina confirmed that CT Luciano Spalletti will proceed in his function for now, regardless of numerous requires him handy in his resignation.
“We’ve nothing to cover, however we should proceed to take accountability. There was an extended chat with the coach yesterday and I believe that it’s unthinkable to resolve the issues by abandoning a multi-year undertaking after eight to 9 months,” Gravina instructed the media in the beginning of his press convention in Germany on Sunday.
“Central to our undertaking is a coach who has been right here for 9 to 10 months, who has not at all times had all of the gamers accessible. Our belief has to work as there’s already a brand new problem in 60 days’ time.”
“Spalletti has our belief, a brand new problem begins in 60 days and we are able to’t hope {that a} Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi or Mbappe will all of a sudden pop up in Italy. We’ve to worth the expertise that’s there in our nation, all of the youth groups have certified for the ultimate phases of tournaments.”
Gravina on criticism, expectations and calls for
Gravina additionally shared his ideas after a fair proportion of criticism over the past 24 hours.
“Criticism hurts for everybody, however you’ve gotten to have the ability to take inspiration from it and enhance, it’s a part of the job. Constructive and bonafide criticism should be taken into account. Detrimental criticism, like requesting a resignation in a second of reflection shouldn’t. We’ve to be clear, there is no such thing as a method anybody can demand resignation from the skin relating to federal governance.
“The election deadline is scheduled for March 2025, and the elections will happen on the first accessible date. They can’t be carried out earlier than the top of the Olympics. We’ll go to a democratic choice, that’s the solely reliable selection.”
Gravina on Italian kids and international gamers in Serie A
Answering questions in regards to the reliance on international imports in Serie A, Gravina mentioned: “There are nationwide and worldwide legal guidelines that forestall sure choices referring to using younger gamers. It’s a truth, 67% of footballers in Serie A are foreigners. 33% of gamers in Serie A can be found for choice.
“We’re strenuously resisting the continual signing of non-EU gamers. Creating a good youth system will not be a value, however an funding. We should all agree on a undertaking to develop younger gamers, in any other case nothing can actually be carried out.
“We’re conscious that we can’t miss out on the subsequent World Cup. We at all times must take care of actuality, none of us are capable of assure outcomes.
“Since 2018, the Federation’s choices on youth groups has at all times been to finance grassroots exercise. We have to broaden the choices for these eligible. In 60 days we’ll method the Nations League, which is essential when it comes to rating.”
Gravina on Nations League, World Cup and temper in Italy camp
The FIGC President revealed that the Italy gamers have been ‘mortified’ after the defeat to Switzerland, however insists that they can not afford to slide up in World Cup qualification.
“These are the gamers we’ve got, we’re a little bit additional away from the targets we had set ourselves, however we can’t surrender. We have to increase consciousness as greatest we are able to and convey the very best out of those younger guys. We all know that it could be an inimaginable catastrophe to not qualify for the World Cup thrice in a row.
“We met final night time, everybody was dissatisfied, the boys have been mortified. The largest disappointment is that they weren’t capable of exhibit the sacrifices they’ve made over the past 30 days. I’m not dissatisfied by them, relatively by the efficiency. They’re the blokes we’ve got to proceed investing in. In 60 days it’s troublesome to search out options that make a giant distinction in high quality.”
