Fabio Capello doesn't mince his words and, on the day of the umpteenth surrender of the National team, he goes straight to the point about everything and everyone. From the attitude on the pitch to the chaos of the call-ups, from Spalletti's role to the lack of love for the Azzurri: according to the former coach, Italy's crisis is deep and starts precisely from those who should feel honored to wear that shirt.
“The worst thing? Knowing that many players didn't want to go to the national team. It's a disgrace. When I hear that the love for the Azzurri is missing, I feel so angry I want to tear everything apart ,” Capello told Radio anch'io lo sport . The reference is clear, from the withdrawals of Calafiori and Buongiorno to the Acerbi case, a string of absences that undermined the group even before kickoff.
Then came the merciless technical analysis: "Spalletti tried to create a game, but the players didn't follow him. In Germany, we put on a pitiful show; at times, I felt ashamed." According to Capello, the main blame shouldn't be placed on the bench: "The players are the ones truly responsible. No running, no support from their teammates, total passivity. Now we want to see the opposite, otherwise it's better to stay home."
Capello: “Ranieri the right man, but there is a structural problem”
Meanwhile, the future beckons, and the hunt for a new coach has begun. Capello has only one certainty: "Ranieri is the right man. He has charisma, he knows everyone, and he knows how to get inside the players' heads. We need someone like him to rebuild the team's spirit." The model? Inter: "Today, the team that best represents Italy is the Nerazzurri. We need to bring that spirit to the national team."
But the problem, for Capello, is also structural. "Young Italians don't play; we prefer foreigners. Dribbling has become a taboo. We need to rethink everything, from the grassroots to the football schools. Velasco is right: someone like Yamal wouldn't even have made his debut in Italy."
And to the Italy team that will take the field against Moldova, the former coach sends a final message full of bitterness and pride: "Run, fight, honor the shirt, and send a message. Maybe even with a nice final "fuck you," because it makes you wonder: why didn't you do it sooner?"
I think what Capello said is true, but I don't understand why everyone only talks about the players. The coaches also need to do more. The national team needs a change, but not only in the players, but also in the strategies.