An example. Belgium’s last (and only) victory in an official match dates back to 1972. Since then, Italy has won four times and drawn once. Day DH therefore asked him: “You sometimes let us win in friendly matches, but never in official matches. How is this explained?” Spalletti took his time listening to the translation, looked at us and then said, without the slightest emotion: “I don’t know how to answer that question.”
guillementYou have a lot of individual qualities. But you may not have a team yet. You are in transition.”
When our VRT colleague Peter Vandenbempt asked him to clarify why he said, when announcing his selection, why he said that Belgium is one of the best teams in Europe – something that is not perceived like this in our country – he was more talkative. “You have speed in defense, technical and physical quality, players who are among the best in one-on-one situations and a very good coach, who I know very well. It’s always very difficult to defend against you. You are number 6 in the world. Only very big nations are ahead of you. So you also have a very big team.
At the end of the press conference, however, he qualified these remarks. “Belgium is in a period of transition. Individually, you have many qualities. But maybe it’s not a team yet.”
An Italian colleague tried to find out why the Golden Generation did not win a prize. Spalletti, after consulting his press chief: “Belgium’s level was top notch. But to win a big tournament, you have to be top top top.”
We only saw his big smile once, when he mentioned Radja Naïnggolan, whom he coached for 107 matches at Roma and Inter. Without receiving a question about it, he said: “Nainggolan and I still call each other often and send each other a lot of messages. I was expecting him to text me about this match with some advice, but I haven’t heard from him yet (laughs).”
No, Belgium did not inspire the Italian federal coach too much. On the other hand, he gave long answers to our Italian colleagues who wanted to know if Italy is finally launched after the miracle result in France (1-3), if it is a must to go to the World Cup after two non-qualifications and if it’s not a disappointment to play in front of a half-empty Stadio Olimpico. Spalletti: “40,000 spectators, isn’t that bad?”
