Former FIGC President Carlo Tavecchio again tore into Gian Piero Ventura and implies the Coach made up a Mario Balotelli player veto.
Italy failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, missing their first tournament since 1958, after finishing second in the group behind Spain and losing the play-off to Sweden.
Former FIGC President Carlo Tavecchio again tore into Gian Piero Ventura and implies the Coach made up a Mario Balotelli player veto.
Italy failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, missing their first tournament since 1958, after finishing second in the group behind Spain and losing the play-off to Sweden.
“We had nine good games, then there was the trip to Madrid and we chose that moment to try out unusual tactics and we lost,” Tavecchio told Radio 24.
“The players did not express to me a lack of faith in Ventura. I had realised that we needed something different in attack, perhaps the introduction of a heavy centre-forward or even Lorenzo Insigne out wide could’ve made the difference.”
Balotelli recently made his Italy comeback after four years out, but Tavecchio hints the famous ‘player veto’ against the striker might’ve been invented.
“It’s very unlikely that players will say no to bringing in a colleague, but that’s what I was told and I took it at face value.”
Tavecchio refused to tend his resignation until after weeks of controversy and insults.
“I have always been against resignations. We did get results at the FIGC, such as the introduction of VAR. It’s the Italian system I’m afraid. Holland didn’t qualify, but the Dutch President wasn’t made to resign.”