Italy ignored and pelted with indifference rather than tomatoes | OneFootball

The Italy squad and coach Luciano Spalletti arrived back in the Peninsula after their EURO 2024 failure and they were greeted with indifference rather than tomatoes.

There were fears that the Azzurri would be given the same greeting that the team famously received when returning from the 1966 World Cup after a shock defeat to North Korea, when they were pelted with tomatoes.

Instead, the fans this time chose to completely ignore the side and their tournament, which ended in the Round of 16 with a 2-0 defeat to Switzerland.

Following a press conference with Spalletti and FIGC President Gabriele Gravina, the group left the Iserlohn camp and flew back to Italy from Dortmund this evening.

They stopped off at Malpensa Airport in Milan to release the Inter players and others who live in the North of the country, before taking another flight to Rome.

In both airports, they were practically ignored by the public, with hardly anyone bothering to turn up and greet them, other than a few children who wanted selfies with the stars.

Buffon breaks silence for Italy

Only delegation chief Gigi Buffon spoke to the reporters.

“We were unable to take off the way we wanted and hoped. Now we look to qualifying for the World Cup, the absolute minimum requirement for Italy.

“We need to make convincing steps compared to recent years.”

Buffon was asked if this Italy squad lacks talent.

“I don’t think so.”