Rossi talks Italy changes under Spalletti and why Italian coaches are shining | OneFootball

Hungary coach Marco Rossi analysed how the Azzurri have evolved under Luciano Spalletti and explained the continued rise of Italian coaches in the dugout.

Five of the 32 head coaches at the upcoming European Championship in Germany are from Italy – including the Hungary coach, Spalletti, Slovakia’s Francesco Calzona, Belgium’s Domenico Tedesco and Turkey’s Vincenzo Montella.

Italian coaches are increasingly at the forefront of modern football, with Enzo Maresca ready to take over at Chelsea, Francesco Farioli arriving at Ajax, Carlo Ancelotti winning the Champions League with Real Madrid and Gian Piero Gasperini winning the Europa League with Atalanta.

Rossi on Italy evolution and Euro 2024 goals

Speaking to TMW, Rossi first gave his favourites to win the European Championship.

“France, England, Germany and Italy, but I’d also include Spain. However, if I have to indicate just one name, I’d say Germany: due to the strength of the team, the environment and the situation that will be created.”

He commented on how Italy have changed since Spalletti took over from Roberto Mancini.

“In some singles matches, in different individuals, but the type of work seems similar to that carried out by Mancini.

“We must not snub that work, in the previous European Championship Italy offered very good level matches, they won it in a deserved manner, even if they were lucky in some matches, we saw a very good national team.

“Then it’s clear that even the moments must help you and, in that competition, they turned in Italy’s favour, but afterwards, exactly the opposite happened.”

Rossi spoke about how the majority of the Azzurri squad has been called up from Serie A.

“It is among the best leagues with the Premier League and the Bundesliga. Then many things can be said but the UEFA Ranking speaks clearly and if next year we can have such a large representation of teams in Europe, it’s because we have produced excellent results.”

Rossi was asked if the gap between Italy and other teams around Europe like England and France has grown in recent years.

“In terms of individuality, France have a few more names, England the same. But the same argument could have been made three years ago when Italy won. It’s clear that this is an aspect that a coach must take into consideration, we need to be reasonable about the objectives to be achieved.

“If Italy and France both play to the best of their ability, France wins, Italy have the tools to not let their opponents play to their maximum and can in turn give more than their best to win.

“The key is to have self-confidence without falling into presumption. Everything is played out there, it’s a very subtle difference.”

Rossi weighed in on the fact that five of the 32 coaches at Euro 2024 are from Italy.

“Us Italians have a couple of characteristics that distinguish us: first of all, an almost obsessive attention to the defensive phase and the ability to know how to train that, not everyone is capable of doing so.

“Then great adaptability and little rigidity, we are open to new influences and new innovations. Look at Ancelotti, he uses very modern macro-principles and micro-principles, he has nothing to envy of younger coaches. Spalletti is another one who is an understatement, Pioli the same thing.

“We are talking about people who are over 60 or close to 60 but are very modern, coaches who from year to year manage to write a new page in their football, to evolve.”

Finally, Rossi was asked how far Italy would need to go at Euro 2024 to be satisfied.

“If they reach the semi-final. Even if, as an Italian, I can already imagine great controversy if they then lost that semi-final.”