Klimberg: Ventura's reliance on Italy's past may cost him his future
- Matthew Klimberg
On a night Italians may come to rue for nearly half a decade, the early culprit seems to be 69-year-old manager Gian Piero Ventura. The former Torino tactician has failed to build on a solid foundation of young talent emerging from his country. Now, having lost to Sweden 1-0, Italy is on the verge of missing its first World Cup since 1958.
His starting lineup included seven players who are 30 years of age, or older. The reality comes as a stark contrast to his assertion, upon getting the job, that he would bring youth to the forefront of the national team.
The “BBC” has been a staple of the Azzurri for two World Cup cycles now - nearly half a decade. The problem is, unsurprisingly, that they’ve all aged in that time. Leo Bonucci, whose struggles with Milan are well documented, is the youngest of the three, at 30. Giorgio Chiellini is 33, and looked like bricks were attached to his feet…when he wasn’t flopping all over the pitch. Andrea Barzagli, the elder statesman at 36 years old, was the best of the trio (a relative term).
Even iconic goalkeeper, and World Cup winner Gianluigi Buffon, at 39 years old, made the case that he shouldn’t be starting. His poor service out of the back strained the familiar three in front of him. In the end, he made a pair of excellent decisions to come off his line, and was not at fault for the goal.
Daniele De Rossi, the last outfield player from the magical 2006 World Cup winning side, has been starting at the age of 34 because Italy doesn’t have anyone to replace him. The deflected goal wasn’t his fault, but he was simply unable to match the speed and creativity Ola Toivonen and Marcus Berg displayed in the Italian end.
Marco Parolo was on the pitch, but you’d be forgiven for not realizing it. The 32-year-old midfielder completely ignored the defensive aspects of his role. However, he did do quite a bit of running, but to nowhere in particular. With him on the pitch it seemed like Italy was playing a man down.
On the right side Antonio Candreva started out strong, but like many of his 30-year-old peers, faded as the match wore on. Supposedly he’s a corner kick specialist, but you wouldn’t have known based on his propensity to kick short ones throughout the night.
Do I even need to broach the subject of 30-year-old substitute Eder? No? Okay, good.
In the end, Italy lost control of a match that, at least in the past, it should have won. However, Ventura’s reliance on said past is what cost them the valuable road match. Now, as Italy returns to Milan for the second leg, Ventura has to decide how his legacy as the Italian manager will be written.
Will he rely on the methods he’s employed throughout his tenure, and skirt by with the grizzled veterans? Or will he buck his own trend and give the youth movement he promised a chance? Either way, should Italy fail to qualify for the World Cup, his fate as a tired, old tactician with tired, old ideas will be sealed.