In the bright starry sky of the European Cup, the stars of the defending champion Italian team fell unexpectedly, and the score of 0-2 was like midnight frost, which solidified the enthusiasm of the fans and added a heavy stroke to the glorious history of Italian football.
This knockout match against Switzerland is not only a torture of Italy's tactical layout, but also a harsh review of the decision-making wisdom of head coach Spalletti.
On the eve of the game, Spalletti seemed to be in a tactical fog, making six changes to his starting line-up in one go, a bold change that is rare in football history, especially in a high-pressure environment like the knockout rounds.
His intention was obvious, trying to catch the opponent off guard by changing formations, but the result was counterproductive, and the team was like a makeshift band, each playing its own tune, and the tacit understanding and fluency were gone.
The loss of the midfield trio has turned Italy's midfield into a playground for the opponent, and the loss of possession is like sand in the hand, the tighter the grip, the faster the loss.
If the change of formation was a strategic mistake, then Spalletti's decision was equally controversial in the selection of key positions.
The decision to abandon Locatelli, who was in the prime of form, and include Faggioli, who had been absent from the game for a long time due to suspension, not only caused an uproar before the game, but also caused criticism to reach a boiling point in the game.
On the football field, every decision can be the winner or loser, and Spalletti's series of operations has undoubtedly put himself on the cusp.
The game was like a pre-written script, except that the main character was not the Italy one might expect.
In the first half, the Swiss team was in full swing, and Italy's only shot on goal was like a meteor, fleeting, and more often than not, they seemed to lose their way in the rhythm of the Swiss team.
Switzerland, on the other hand, had 10 shots on goal and hit the post once, completely controlling the initiative of the game, and each of their attacks was like a precise Swiss clockwork, rigorous and deadly.
Spalletti's adjustments were a bit sluggish and weak in the second half, and although he tried to salvage his losses with substitutions, time on the football pitch was brutal and it would not be turned back by anyone's remorse.
Switzerland's lightning goal put the final nail in Italy's coffin, and in the ensuing game, the Italian team struggled but was powerless.
The only one shot on target in the game became an embarrassing footnote for the Italian team, while the Swiss team used two valuable goals to announce to the world that there are no eternal kings on the football field, only challengers who continue to work hard.
This defeat is not only the threshold of the quarterfinals for Italian football, but also a deep self-reflection.
Spalletti, the head of the sect who was once seen as a savior, is now the target of public criticism.
His tactical arrangement, personnel selection, and even on-the-spot adjustments have all become the target of criticism from the outside world.
It is true that defeat is part of football, but how to learn from failure and how to find the opportunity for rebirth in setbacks is the real issue that Italian football needs to face.
In the long history of football, there are no permanent winners, but every defeat should be a stepping stone to the next success.
For Italian football, it was a painful awakening and the beginning of a rebirth in Nirvana.
In the coming days, what they need is not only tactical adjustments, but more importantly, to regain the soul of Italian football that once made the world look at it, and let the blue storm sweep the whole of Europe and even world football again.
After all, the charm of football lies in its ability to write new legends in unexpected ways.