Last-second spell leaves Italy praying for solutions to 'immense problems'

Italy's dramatic escape in their match against Croatia has left fans and media alike in a state of mixed emotions.

Thanks to Mattia Zaccagni's last-second goal, Italy secured their place in the last sixteen of the European Championship. However, the narrow escape has not dispelled concerns about the team's overall performance and prospects for the remainder of the tournament.

La Gazzetta dello Sport captured the mood by highlighting the precarious nature of Italy's victory. "Thanks to Zaccagni's last-second spell, we are among the last sixteen of the European Championship after a crazy match, but we were one millimeter away from the brink. They saved our hearts, and let's take this and celebrate now," the paper stated. Despite the late heroics, the publication emphasized the need for caution, pointing out the lack of a standout striker and playmaker in the current squad compared to past legends like Baggio, Mancini, Totti, Del Piero, Vieri, and Inzaghi.

Corriere dello Sport also reflected on the tension of the match, drawing a parallel with Italy's 2006 World Cup campaign. "With seven seconds left, we screamed again. Like eighteen years ago: we're going to Berlin!" the paper declared, referencing Italy's dramatic journey to the final in Berlin in 2006. The publication expressed hope that coach Luciano Spalletti could devise a more effective strategy for the knockout phase, emphasizing the importance of prayer and hope in overcoming the team's current challenges.

"We always pray. Let's pray that only a good coach can solve the many, immense problems of the national team and Italian football. Let's pray that a team without quality turns into something it's not. Let's pray that Chiesa doesn't start and then pray that he brings him in. Let's pray that Jorginho has an idea. Let's pray that Di Lorenzo wakes up from the stupor of recent months. Let's pray that a striker who has only scored one goal in 19 matches, Scamacca, suddenly turns into Paolo Rossi," the paper urged, highlighting the myriad issues facing the team.

Tuttosport, meanwhile, praised the performance of goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who played a crucial role in securing the victory. Donnarumma's penalty save against Luka Modric was pivotal, earning him a high rating and widespread acclaim. "Super Donnarumma. What more can he do after saving that penalty? He's not a superman," the paper commented, noting the importance of his contributions and the need to keep him fit and healthy for the remainder of the tournament.

As Italy prepares for the knockout stages, the focus will be on addressing these concerns and finding a way to leverage their strengths while mitigating their weaknesses. The narrow victory over Croatia serves as a wake-up call for the team, emphasizing the need for improvement and strategic adjustments if they are to advance further in the competition. Fans and media alike will be watching closely to see how Spalletti and his squad respond to the challenges ahead, hoping for a resurgence that can carry them to glory.