Absent from the World Cup since 2014, Italy hopes to validate its ticket for the next edition, which will be held next summer in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The Nazionale of Gennaro Gattuso currently occupies the second place in group I of the eliminations of the Europe area, synonymous with dams.
The quadruples world champions first bowed against Norway (0-3), before relaunching themselves with three consecutive victories against Moldova (2-0), Estonia (5-0) and Israel (5-4). But despite this series, the observation is clear: the Italian selection has lost its superb. A feeling shared by Medhi Benatia, director of football at Olympique de Marseille.
“France has at least four teams higher in Italy”
The ex-defenseman of Juventus Turin did not hide his regrets regarding the decline of Squadra Azzurra. For him, this decline is largely explained by the lack of talents from the transalpine pool.
“What worries me in Italy is the lack of talent. I think of the national team: as a captain of Morocco, I saw Italy as something inaccessible. Totti, Pirlo, Del Piero, Nesta and Maldini, but also people like Vieri, Cassano, Montella: where are they now? France has at least four national teams higher in Italy ”judged Benatia.
