Italy manager Luciano Spalletti hits out at reporter in tense exchange after his side crashed out of Euro 2024… as journalist compares Italians to a ‘Fiat Panda’ and fuming boss demands to know his name
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Italy coach Luciano Spalletti lashed out at a mischievous reporter in a bitter exchange after Italy were eliminated from the 2024 European Championship.
Spalletti saw his team lose 2-0 to Switzerland and was therefore eliminated from the competition.
And the journalist angered Spalletti after asking whether Italy had been like a Fiat panda racing against a Ferrari.
“We have to accept everything, even bad jokes like yours,” Spalletti said.
‘I understand that you are a person of great irony and enormous quality.
Italy coach Luciano Spalletti was irritated when a reporter compared his team to a ‘Fiat Panda’ while Switzerland was a ‘Ferrari’
Italy were knocked out of the round of 16 of Euro 2024 by Switzerland, losing 2–0.
‘But you’re right, they were better than us, they deserved to win. We’ll try to do better next time.’
The 65-year-old then ominously demanded to know the journalist’s name and publication, possibly in an attempt to ban him from future press conferences.
Then Spalletti thanked him, smiled wryly and gave him a thumbs up.
Although he did not respond aggressively, it was clear that Spalletti was not happy with the question he had been asked.
Italy fell behind as they slumped to a 2-0 defeat to Switzerland, falling far short of their heroics at Euro 2020, when they won the tournament via a penalty shoot-out victory over England.
Remo Freuler surprised Italy in the first half by putting his team ahead with a volley at the near post.
The reigning champions had time to recover at half-time, but soon found themselves 2-0 down when Ruben Vargas curled a superb shot into the far top corner from the edge of the penalty area.
Goals from Remo Freuler and Ruben Vargas (photo) ensured the Swiss advanced to the last eight
From that point on, the Italians were still unable to get into the game, meaning the Swiss ended up in the quarter-finals for the second time in a row.
However, Spalletti will remain Italy’s coach until at least the 2026 World Cup. “My mission is to make this squad even younger,” he said.