Barzagli: Spalletti’s Italy task ‘not easy’ | OneFootball

Former defender Andrea Barzagli feels Luciano Spalletti has finally built a ‘core group’ for the Italy national team, but admits the coach’s task was ‘not easy.’

The Azzurri are preparing for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers with opening games against Norway and Moldova in June.

Germany eliminated the Azzurri from the Nations League quarter-finals in March, but Spalletti’s men had achieved positive results in the group stage, including wins over France and Belgium.

epa11984179 Head coach Luciano Spalletti of Italy looks on during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal, 2nd leg match between Germany and Italy in Dortmund, Germany, 23 March 2025. EPA-EFE/FRIEDEMANN VOGEL

Now the task is to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in over ten years.

“Spalletti has done well in understanding the negativity surrounding the Euros,” Barzagli told Sky Sport Italia via TMW.

“It wasn’t easy, especially coming in mid-course. Our country breathes football and puts a lot of pressure. Spalletti did a great job in building a core group for the national team with some promising young players. Results help you grow. We’ve seen an Italy that is eager to wear the shirt and sing the anthem. We have the quality to do well.”