Defending champions Italy were thrown out of Euro 2024 following a 2-0 Round of 16 defeat to Switzerland on Saturday and former England international and current BBC pundit Gary Lineker thinks Luciano Spalletti’s side is the worst Italian national team he has ever seen.
Comfortably beaten 2-0 by the Swiss at Berlin’s Olympiastadion, Spalletti’s side failed to even put up the late fight that at least characterised the comeback draw against Croatia in their final group game.
“I don’t think I’ve witnessed, in my lifetime, a worse Italian team than this,” said former England striker Gary Lineker on BBC One.
In 2006, Italy won their fourth World Cup at this venue, beating France on penalties.
Three years ago, the Azzurri went to Wembley and crushed English dreams in another shootout to claim a third European Championship title.
There are talented players in this squad but, certainly from the showing against Switzerland, a lack of character – not the craft of Andrea Pirlo, the guile of Marco Materazzi or the grizzly nous of Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini.
Of those who started in the defeat of England in 2021, only goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, defender Giovanni di Lorenzo, midfielder Nicolo Barella and forward Federico Chiesa made Spalletti’s starting XI for the limp exit in Berlin.
“From three years ago to this, it’s incredible,” added ex-England captain Alan Shearer.
“I was really shocked at how bad Italy were. They offered nothing in any position, Switzerland toyed with them.
“They dominated that game and didn’t give Italy a chance. Up top they were so weak, they offered nothing in front of goal. There was no threat. They were so poor, particularly in forward positions.”
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