Spalletti: ‘Everyone knows Italy problem, but not an obsession’ | OneFootball

Luciano Spalletti reiterates he does not want headers and set plays to become ‘an obsession’ for Italy, even after conceding another two goals this way in defeat to Germany.

The Nations League quarter-final will ultimately be decided in the second leg in Dortmund on Sunday evening, but the Azzurri have a mountain to climb after this home defeat.

They had started so strong and taken the lead with a well-worked goal finished off by Sandro Tonali, though Germany turned it all around after the break with Tim Kleindienst and Leon Goretkza headers.

Spalletti saw the usual Italy issues

MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 20: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Italy, sings the national anthem prior to the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Italy and Germany at Stadio San Siro on March 20, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

“In some moments, we didn’t have the right tempo of the game, whereas Germany were very consistent,” Spalletti told RAI Sport.

“There were a couple of situations that we paid too heavy a price for over the course of the game. It was a pass from midfield, they found someone free in the box.”

See how the game unfolded on the Liveblog.

It was the second consecutive painful defeat for Spalletti’s Italy at San Siro, after the 3-1 loss to France which saw them drop down to second place in the Nations League group in November.

It also confirms the on-going problem that the Nazionale have in dealing with set plays and headers, as both goals came from those situations.

“We know they have the advantage in terms of height, which is also why I introduced Bellanova, but they are good in the air. All we can do is congratulate them and hope to improve,” added Spalletti.

“Everyone knows we struggle from set plays, but we cannot keep talking about it, or this will turn into an obsession.”

Losing this Nations League quarter-final would not only mean missing out on the Final Four this summer, but also having to start their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign early.

“We will go there to play our game, then we’ll see if I evaluated it well or not.”

There was also a scare for Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori in stoppages when he slipped and seemed to hurt his knee.

“I don’t know anything yet,” concluded Spalletti.