Luciano Spalletti Bows Out as Italy Manager with a Victory Over Moldova in World Cup Qualifiers
In a bittersweet farewell, Luciano Spalletti, recently dismissed as Italy’s head coach, concluded his tenure with a hard-fought 2-0 victory against Moldova on Monday. This match, part of the 2025 World Cup qualification campaign, featured goals from Giacomo Raspadori and Andrea Cambiaso, even as the team struggled to impress on home soil.
Spalletti had announced his departure after Italy’s disheartening 3-0 defeat to Norway in their group opener last Friday. Yet, he took the reins one last time, aiming for a rewarding exit despite showing why a change in leadership was necessary.
Currently leading Group I are Norway, who secured a narrow 1-0 win in Estonia with a goal from Erling Haaland, sitting at 12 points from four matches. In contrast, Israel holds the second spot with six points after three matches, while Italy lags behind in third place with just three points from two games.
"I asked the players to give me a victory for my last match," Spalletti told Sky Sport prior to kickoff. Though the team obliged, the performance was a stark reminder of the challenges that had precipitated his dismissal, with only a sparse crowd at the Stadio Città del Tricolore to witness the occasion.
Italy’s attack was predictably sluggish, failing to penetrate a resolute Moldova defense. An early warning came when Ion Nicolaescu struck the net, only to have his goal disallowed due to offside. The Azzurri finally found their rhythm when defender Luca Ranieri—the match debutant—hit the crossbar, setting the stage for Raspadori to score just five minutes before halftime, capitalizing on a defensive clearance.
Almost facing an equalizer, Italy’s Gianluigi Donnarumma was forced to parry away a long-range shot from Oleg Reabciuk, allowing Federico Dimarco to clear a follow-up header off the line.
The second half saw Italy double their lead in the 50th minute through Cambiaso, after a clever build-up involving substitute Riccardo Orsolini and Davide Frattesi. However, even with the two-goal cushion, Italy’s performance remained lackluster. Frattesi missed a golden opportunity by shooting directly at the keeper, while Moldova continued to threaten.
Reflecting on the match, Spalletti acknowledged the ongoing struggles: "As national team coach, there are no excuses. I select the players, and if they underperform, changes must be made."
During the pre-match introductions, Spalletti’s name was met with boos from sections of the crowd, and the overall atmosphere reflected a longing for improved prospects. With discussions swirling around potential replacements—including Claudio Ranieri—Italian fans are eagerly awaiting new leadership to guide the national team forward.