Ventura: 'Italy project continues'

By Football Italia staff

Giampiero Ventura insisted he was right to stick with the 4-2-4 formation after a 3-0 defeat to Spain. “It’s a project and one game can’t change that.”

This was the first Nazionale defeat in a qualifier since 2006 against France, ending a run of 56 games.

“In general, there was a difference in fitness levels and quality,” the Coach told Rai Sport.

“We gifted them some situations and helped them out. We went 2-0 down with the first two shots on target, even though we had the best chances from open play and De Gea made key saves.

“Right now we are human and Spain are less human.”

Ventura was criticised for refusing to adapt his squad to three at the back or packing the midfield, which had always worked well against Spain.

“We are carrying on a project and one game cannot change that. The basic problem is what we are and what we want to become. This was an experience, we’ll analyse what we can learn from and how we can develop.

“If one match hits our self-confidence, it means we are not competitive, so I cannot believe that.”

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