Dramatic Farewell for Spalletti: Italy Clings to World Cup Spot
Italy manages to dodge a shameful loss against Moldova in the World Cup qualifiers
In the curtain call for national coach Luciano Spalletti, Italy demonstrated sluggishness in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, slipping past Moldova 2-0 (1-0) in Reggio Emilia, but not without displaying defensive vulnerabilities and an aching desire for inspiration in their attack. Only late strikes from Giacomo Raspadori (40.) and Andrea Cambiaso (50.) clawed out a narrow victory for the hosts.
However, Norway remained a force to be reckoned with, extending their perfect record with a 1-0 (0:0) win over Estonia, compliments of a goal from Erling Haaland (62.). The specter of missing another World Cup looms large over Italy, who have been absent from the international stage since 2022.
With Monday's game embodying Spalletti's indundation, his resignation was already a foregone conclusion. "I'll be on the bench tomorrow and subsequently concede my contract termination," Spalletti conceded. "It's disappointing; I would've liked to remain and attempt to make a difference."
Swapping out for Luciano Spalletti will be none other than Claudio Ranieri, 73. Though he had previously declared his exit from the coaching ranks, a brief stint with AS Roma has reportedly persuaded him to take on a dual role as club advisor and national coach [@gazzettadelsport].
New Boss, Same Troubles?
Ranieri's tenure promises to be a challenge, as evident in the game against Moldova. After nine minutes, the guests nearly seized the lead, but Ion Nicolaescu's header was ruled offside. Italy staggered, with Luca Ranieri narrowly missing the crossbar on his debut (17.). Raspadori of SSC Napoli finally broke the deadlock, but Moldova persisted, threatening through Oleg Reabciuk and Artur Ionita (43.).
Following the interval, Cambiaso secured a two-goal cushion, but the road to the World Cup in North America remains daunting. Only the group winner qualifies directly; the second-placed team must navigate playoffs. Italy's missed appearances in the 2018 and 2022 World Cup and the dismal performance at the last European Championship increase the urgency for the new coach to lead the team to victory [@ntvde_de].
The new coach will face a plethora of challenges, including reviving the team from a poor start, masquerading a qualification pressure, reviving team morale and performance, devising the optimal lineup and tactics, and withstanding the unyielding pressure from fans and media. [1][3]
In the face of these challenges, the new community policy under Coach Claudio Ranieri will prioritize improving the team's performance and securing a spot in the 2026 World Cup. Part of this strategy will involve vocational training programs aimed at enhancing the team's skills and tactical understanding, ensuring a stronger and more cohesive squad. Additionally, the revitalized team is encouraged to participate in sports activities, with a particular focus on football, to boost morale and team dynamics.
