Spalletti's farewell match: Italy avoids humiliation against Moldova in World Cup qualifiers
Luciano Spalletti waves it off, it's over and done with, that's it for him. "I'm sorry, I would have liked to stay and try to change something," says Italy's coach.
(Photo: picture alliance/dpa/LaPresse via ZUMA Press)
For Luciano Spalletti, the end was already clear before the game – regardless of the outcome. Italy's coach is out, and his successor, Claudio Ranieri, has already been chosen. Given Italy's difficulties in the World Cup qualifier against Moldova, the new coach has a lot of work to do.
In national coach Luciano Spalletti's final match, Italy narrowly avoided a humiliation in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. In Reggio Emilia, the four-time world champions beat underdog Moldova 2-0 (1-0), but once again showed defensive vulnerability and attacking uninspiredness. Only Giacomo Raspadori (40') and Andrea Cambiaso (50') scored for the hosts.
At the same time, Norway didn't give up in Estonia and, after a 1-0 (0-0) victory, remains at the top of Group I with four wins from four matches. Star striker Erling Haaland scored the winner in the 62nd minute. Italy badly botched its qualifying opener in Norway last week (0-3). Fears of the next World Cup without the Squadra Azzurra are spreading in Italy.
Just made the turn: Daniel Dumbravanu from Moldova and Mateo Retegui from Italy (right) in action.
(Photo: picture alliance/dpa/ZUMA Press Wire)
For Spalletti, Monday marked the end of his less than two-year tenure. Before the game, he had announced his own dismissal. "I'll sit on the bench tomorrow and then give my consent to the termination of my contract," Spalletti said. "I'm sorry. I would have liked to stay and try to change things."
His successor is set to be Claudio Ranieri. The 73-year-old had already announced his coaching career was over, but recently stepped in at AS Roma. Instead of retiring completely, according to Gazzetta dello Sport, Ranieri has received permission from Roma owner Dan Friedkin to take on a dual role as club advisor and national team coach.
Lots of work for the new guyRanieri would have a lot of work to do. The match against Moldova showed that. The visitors were celebrating after nine minutes, but Ion Nicolaescu's header was just offside. Italy struggled, with Luca Ranieri hitting the crossbar on his international debut (17th minute). Raspadori of champions SSC Napoli broke the deadlock, but Moldova remained dangerous through Oleg Reabciuk and Artur Ionita (43rd minute).
Cambiaso added to the score after halftime, but the road to the World Cup finals in the USA, Canada, and Mexico is long. Only the group winners qualify directly, while the runners-up must navigate the playoffs. Italy had already missed the 2018 World Cup in Russia and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The Squadra Azzurra's last major success was the 2021 European Championship title in London.
Source: ntv.de, gut/sid
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