Carlo Ancelotti: “Focus on tactics distorted Italian football”
Carlo Ancelotti reveals reason for “Azzurri” failure to qualify for World Cup for third consecutive time
Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti, manager of the Brazil national team, said that Italian football has lost its “pace” and “solidity,” calling on his home country’s national team to regain the “defensive mentality” that historically formed the basis of its success.
Ancelotti told Il Giornale newspaper that the gap between Serie A and the Champions League lies in “pace” as a fundamental difference, adding that this is not only a physical condition but includes “mental speed, constant involvement, and enthusiasm.” He added that “excessive focus on tactics distorted the characteristics of Italian football.”
Ancelotti stressed the fragility of Italian defense, considering that Atalanta “took a big risk” with their individual attacking style, citing the team’s match against Bayern Munich as an example.
Ancelotti concluded: “Either we get our defenders back, or the defensive mentality that brought us success, otherwise we will continue to suffer. Football is not just about scoring more goals, but more importantly conceding fewer goals, and this is not a trivial matter.”
The veteran coach’s remarks come after the “Azzurri” failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time, and Italian clubs’ failure to reach the semi-finals of continental competitions this season, with Atalanta being the only Italian team to advance to the Round of 16 in the Champions League.
Video: “Azzurri” 2006 World Cup title win after defeating France on penalties
Today the great Marcello Lippi turns 78. The coach who led Italy to the World Cup title in 2006.
His reaction to each penalty in the final vs France is pure gold 🥶 pic.twitter.com/oIIe0jz6bX
— Juez Central (@Juezcentral) April 12, 2026
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