Luciano Spalletti concedes the red card ‘threw everything out the window’ in Italy’s 2-2 draw with Belgium, but takes some of the blame off Lorenzo Pellegrini for that incident. ‘We could not have done more.’
They had got off to the ideal start at the Stadio Olimpico when Andrea Cambiaso put the ball in the net within 61 seconds, followed soon after by Mateo Retegui’s tap-in from another save on Cambiaso.
However, with the Azzurri seemingly in complete and total control at 2-0, Pellegrini lunged into a red card offence on Arthur Theate and Italy went down to 10 men, allowing Maxim De Cuyper and Leandro Trossard to equalise for Belgium.
“There are incidents that can throw everything you prepared and did out the window,” confessed Spalletti in his press conference.
“We must be better at reacting to these situations and directing those incidents, but at times like this evening it was not possible. I saw the disappointment of the lads in the locker room because they didn’t win the game. You could see they were aware that they were in control and on track for another victory, but there was also a bit of bad luck.
“It was a good performance even down to 10 men, though we got a bit too deep. I did have doubts at half-time whether to go back to a four-man defence, but I thought if we held out for 20 more minutes and then switched, it would make it more difficult for them,” continued Spalletti.
“It’s tough against the Belgium forwards, because they have incredible pace, so they punt the ball 10 metres ahead and know they will run onto it first.”
Spalletti finds positives in Italy stalemate
Italy had started the Nations League in perfect fashion with a 3-1 win away to France and 2-1 victory over Israel, so did Spalletti see the consistency he was looking for?
“I think we actually improved, as instead of conceding in the first minute, this time we scored. Everyone was ready to sacrifice themselves, we passed our way out from the back and attacked the spaces. We were forced to do a bit more when down to 10 men and had some opportunities when winning the ball back to score a third goal, whereas we allowed Belgium practically nothing from open play against Donnarumma.”
The Azzurri remain top of their Nations League group on seven points, although France beat Israel 4-1 today and therefore close the gap to just a single point.
It remains a world away from the performances and attitude seen at EURO 2024 over the summer in Germany.
“The players worked hard for the shirt and wanted to prove they have a totally different approach to the Euros,” insisted Spalletti.
“They wanted to show they are in control, recognising our potential both as individuals and as a collective. When there are two high level teams who face off, you must know how to play the ball, but also how to suffer under pressure.
“We go into the next match feeling confident, as this result is good for us and we mustn’t think that we dropped two points. We couldn’t have done much more. I saw a team that is humble and always ready to do what is needed. Their minds were always focused and they have taken a different direction after the Euros.”
Pellegrini will be suspended for Monday evening’s Nations League fixture with Israel at the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine.
He has been jeered and even insulted recently by Roma fans, so was playing for Italy at the Stadio Olimpico adding extra pressure onto his shoulders?
“We lost a few cheap balls when building out from the back, I had shouted at Bastoni to go for Retegui on that incident, because I had seen their player go after Pellegrini. Bastoni cannot see how much margin Theate has to anticipate Pellegrini,” explained Spalletti.
“Pellegrini felt a bit frustrated and he was trying to give it his all, but when the other player anticipates you and the studs hit the ankle, it’s a red card. We also conceded an avoidable goal on a corner, we paid a heavy price for these small errors.”
