Cambiaso: ‘Italy players really sad’ as Spalletti sacked | OneFootball

Andrea Cambiaso fully admits Italy ‘are the first to know it wasn’t a great game’ when squeezing past Moldova 2-0 and they ‘feel really sad’ at Luciano Spalletti’s dismissal.

The build-up to this World Cup qualifier was bizarre, as Spalletti already announced yesterday that this would be his final game in charge.

REGGIO NELL’EMILIA, ITALY – JUNE 9: Giacomo Raspadori of Italy during the FIFA 2026 Qualifier between Italy and Moldova at Mapei Stadium – Citta’ del Tricolore on June 09, 2025 in Reggio nell’Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

The Azzurri gave him a positive result to see him off, even if it was another far from convincing performance to beat Moldova 2-0, with goals from Giacomo Raspadori and Cambiaso.

Cambiaso well aware of Italy problems

REGGIO NELL’EMILIA, ITALY – JUNE 9: Luciano Spalletti head coach of Italy during the FIFA 2026 Qualifier between Italy and Moldova at Mapei Stadium – Citta’ del Tricolore on June 09, 2025 in Reggio nell’Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

“We all wanted a good performance. We are the first to know it wasn’t a great game, we wanted to give the coach a better send-off,” Cambiaso told RAI Sport.

The situation is extremely tense, as Spalletti confirmed he had been sacked in the wake of Friday’s 3-0 defeat away to Norway, so the players went into this game knowing there would be a different tactician in September for the next World Cup qualifiers.

“We are professionals, unfortunately these things happen in sport. Spalletti is a great coach, has such passion for the sport, and every time a coach is fired, it hurts the players. We feel really sad.”

It remains an extremely difficult path to World Cup qualification, as Norway are top of Group I with 12 points from four games.

“We’ll give it all we’ve got. The results might be negative, but we really do try to win every game.”