On the eve of the clash between the Argentine National Team and Cape Verde in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, Lionel Scaloni referred to the football crisis that Italy is experiencing, having failed to qualify for the competition.
The prestigious Argentine coach analyzed the current state of the “Azzurra” and pointed to the loss of identity as one of the central factors of its decline.
Italy, one of the historical powers of world football, failed to qualify for the tournament, deepening a negative streak that has been dragging on for several years.
“I don't have the exact reason, but I wouldn't overthink it. Italy has an incredible football culture; they must continue to respect that. Every country has its culture, and that has led them to be world powers. When they play in ways that the player doesn't feel and the people don't feel, it gets complicated,” Scaloni expressed when asked about the issue.
The coach, who had a stint in Italian football with Lazio and Atalanta, showed closeness to the reality of the European country and defended the need to return to the roots. In this sense, he questioned modern trends that standardize playing styles.
