SPALLETTI, SPAIN, AND THE CATENACCIO KNOCKING AT THE DOOR
Dear Spalletti, it’s time for catenaccio. I don’t say this out of nostalgia or a desire for restoration. Simply put, when we reach certain canonical moments in our history, like a conscience making itself felt, catenaccio knocks at the door. It warns us that it’s better to lock the door with a bolt or build a wall in front of it, which is essentially the same thing.
We are all capable of theorizing and declaring ourselves followers of spectacle and beautiful play at all costs when facing Albania. But then Spain comes along, and our Italianist conscience knocks with its rituals and the prayer of “first, don’t concede.” What do we do? Do we ignore it?
SPALLETTI THE INNOVATIVE ITALIANIST AND THE (ARMANI) SUIT TO GET DIRTY
Luciano Spalletti is an Italianist, not exactly a traditionalist but an innovator. On the eve of Spain-Italy, Spalletti is torn—though he denies the dilemma—whether to stick to his guns with his game plan and possibly make minimal changes to the team that beat Albania. It’s a matter of pride and faith.
Or whether to strengthen the defense, erect barricades in front of the goal and penalty area, to avoid the remorse should Rodri, Yamal, Nico González, and Morata find open fields from Di Lorenzo on the right to Dimarco on the left. The constitutional arc of Italian football.
Spalletti is a practical revolutionary, without excessive dogmatism: he can go from sophisticated build-up from the back to long balls to the parish priest if there is no other way.
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ITALIAN VERSION
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The Italy team that Spalletti could field against Spain in the Azzurri’s second match at the European Championships in Germany
THE GAME PLAN IN SPALLETTI’S ITALY
Spalletti says he will not distort the national team and that his idea is to keep control of the game. The issue is not being and remaining true to oneself, and a Cristante inserted into midfield or an additional Mancini in defense wouldn’t make a difference or guarantee results—sorry, would you throw away a draw?—one remains true to oneself even by playing catenaccio, which has deep roots in our DNA. One remains true to oneself especially if the desired result is achieved. That’s the real twist of the matter.
I say catenaccio, obviously exaggerating; others may talk about defensive play and managing moments without the ball. The problem is finding the right balance between us, Italy, and them, Spain. Because if you concede a goal, it’s not certain you’ll be able to solve it in fifteen minutes like with Albania.
In any case, the attitude shown against Spain will speak volumes. It is mainly the clash with the opponent that determines your attitude—a physical and psychological tug of war.
FROM THE FAITH WAR OF SACCHI VS TRAPATTONI IN THE ’80s TO SPALLETTI TODAY: WE’RE STILL HERE…
With the festive outfit but ready to get dirty, a concept very dear to Maradona, who said that even dressed in white at his own wedding, he wouldn’t hesitate to chest control a muddy ball falling from the sky. I wouldn’t want to be in the shoes—the infamous dressing gown marked Italy and signed by Armani—of Luciano Spalletti, our coach who is well paid to solve his own troubles. I only say that I am not ashamed of catenaccio and counter-attack, I don’t make football a matter of honor.
“I have seen things you people wouldn’t believe: tiki-taka ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion, and I watched gegenpressing glitter in the dark near the Tannhäuser Gate.” Einstein told us that the football of the future runs on a timeline that is circular, not straight.
Without returning to the Trapattoni-Sacchi referendum of the ’80s and ’90s, I only say that the marginalization of catenaccio is one of the many hateful discriminations of our time. I’m fine with winning, whether by catenaccio and counter-attack or in the Dutch style, it makes no difference to me. I leave the rest of you to make it a matter of philosophy and obsession.