Italy’s Spalletti Reflects on Draw with Turkey
Luciano Spalletti, the coach of the Italian national team, has described the recent 0-0 draw with Turkey as “your classic game at the start of the process,” emphasizing that Italy is still in the early stages of adapting to their new approach on the field. Despite hitting the woodwork with a Bryan Cristante header just before half-time, Italy struggled to find their rhythm in this goalless stalemate at the Stadio Dall’Ara.
“We were not that sharp or consistent, but in some moments the team stepped up, pushed and tried to do things, but this is your classic game at the start of the process where you need a while to get things sorted,” Spalletti told RAI Sport.
As Italy continues to fine-tune their squad for EURO 2024, Spalletti remains cautious about making final decisions. With another game to go before the tournament, the coach is taking his time to assess the players and make the necessary cuts.
The slow tempo of the match against Turkey raised questions about the intensity of Italy’s recent training sessions. Spalletti acknowledged the need for quick adjustments on the field, especially in terms of ball movement and sharpness in the attacking third.
Looking ahead, Italy will face Bosnia and Herzegovina in another friendly before kicking off their EURO 2024 campaign against Albania, Spain, and Croatia. Despite facing significant injury setbacks, including key players like Francesco Acerbi and Nicolò Zaniolo, Spalletti remains optimistic about the team’s progress.
“I am satisfied because it was a real, intense game, we are still grasping certain things,” Spalletti commented on the team’s performance.
Overall, the draw with Turkey served as a valuable learning experience for Italy as they continue to evolve under Spalletti’s guidance. With more challenges ahead, including the upcoming EURO 2024 tournament, the Azzurri are focused on refining their tactics and teamwork for success on the international stage.