Inter midfielder Davide Frattesi has pinpointed one crucial aspect Italy desperately lacked at the 2024 European Championship. Luciano Spalletti’s side experienced a dreadful title-defending campaign, bowing out to Switzerland in the round of 16 in disturbing fashion
The Swiss thoroughly outclassed the Italians in their last-16 tie, steamrolling to a 2-0 victory. However, Italy bounced back with two reassuring performances at the beginning of their 2024/25 UEFA Nations League campaign in September.
Following a come-from-behind 3-1 triumph against France in Paris, Italy defeated Israel 2-1 to ascend to the top of their group. Spalletti’s lads were on course to make it three wins from three in Thursday’s home clash against fierce rivals Belgium.
Goals from Andrea Cambiaso and Mateo Retegui fired Italy to a comfortable two-goal cushion inside 25 minutes. But Lorenzo Pellegrini’s red card toward the end of the first half turned the game on its head, helping De Rode Duivels claw their way back to a 2-2 draw.
Despite dropping two points at the Stadio Olimpico, Italy earned broad plaudits for their performance with ten men. Frattesi insists Gli Azzurri lacked the enthusiasm and fun they had against Belgium during their disappointing EURO 2024 journey.
“What we lacked a bit in the Euro campaign was the enjoyment on the field that we saw against Belgium,” the Italy midfielder said, as reported by Gianluca Di Marzio. “Spending so many days in an environment that wasn’t as joyful and pleasant as it is now affected the performance of all the players.“
Italy will be back in action on Monday as they take on Israel at Udinese’s Bluenergy Stadium.
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