Italy wins a farewell game from Spalletti - but is that enough for the World Cup?

Italy wins a farewell game from Spalletti - but is that enough for the World Cup?

Italy won a 2-0 win against Moldau. Giacomo Raspadori took the Squadra Azzurra in the 40th minute, followed by Andrea Cambiaso, who increased to 2-0 in the 50th minute. Despite the victory, the performance of the Italian team was not very convincing, which was expressed in defensive weaknesses and a lack of creativity in the game.

Spalletti announced his resignation before the game was released after he was released on the last matchday of the qualification for the 2026 World Cup. The pressure on Italy has grown because the team had to accept a 0: 3 against Norway beforehand and thus left nine points behind the leaders Norway. Only the group winner secures the direct qualification for the World Cup; The second has to go to the playoffs.

the farewell to spalletti

Luciano Spalletti has been a coach of the Italian national team since September 2023 before being released against Norway after the clear defeat. The reasons for his deduction were in the negative results of the last games. Fans and players praised Spalletti's work while he himself regretted the circumstances and highlighted the good relationship with the leader of the association Gabriele Gravina.

The Italian national team has failed in the last two world championships, 2018 and 2022. The last great success was the 2021 European Championship title in London. In the game against Moldau, the team showed a weak performance in the first half, but had 75% possession. An early goal from Moldau was not recognized due to an offside position, and a crossbar from debutant Luca Ranieri did not give the team in the first half.

A look at the World Cup qualification

After the victory against Moldau, Italy climbed to third place in the table with three points from two games. Norway remains undefeated with four wins from four games, and Star Stürmer Erling Haaland scored the winning goal against Estonia.

For the future of the Italian national team, Claudio Ranieri, former coach of AS Roma, is traded as a possible successor to Spalletti. Ranieri, who had actually ended his coaching career, receives approval for a double function as a club consultant and national coach. Other candidates for the successor are Stefano Pioli and Carlo Ancelotti, whose new contract was signed in Brazil.

Italy now needs a clear plan to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. The team is under pressure, not only because of the lack of success in recent years, but also because of the current group situation.