Fabio Capello (foto: Getty Images)
Italy faces a crucial match in the final round of the Euro group stage against Croatia tomorrow.
Italian football is going through an interesting period. The national team won the last Euro but failed to qualify for the last two World Cups. Serie A seems to be on the rise in some respects, but the last time an Italian club won the Champions League was back in 2010 when Inter succeeded. Italy has not been impressive in this year's Euro.
They narrowly defeated Albania and lost to a much stronger Spain. Their next match is against Croatia.
Where does esteemed former coach Fabio Capello see the biggest problem in Italian football? Primarily with coaches who focus most of their attention on tactical ideas, neglecting the importance of technique in football, something they have 'picked up' from Pep Guardiola.
"Italian coaches teach young players tactics, but we neglect technique. Many Italian coaches idolize Pep Guardiola. However, not the modern version of Guardiola, but the one from ten years ago. Pep has advanced and developed further. Sterile possession is not 'good football.' Our players never take risks. Look at Nico Williams in Spain... he takes risks. Why? Because his coach allows it."
Italy and Croatia will face off in an extremely important group stage match tomorrow evening, which will be played in Leipzig.