Former Inter, Napoli and Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez insists Italy are not short of talent, but agrees with Massimiliano Allegri and Fabio Capello that Italian teams have lost their ‘ability to defend.’

Serie A clubs got mixed results in Europe mid-week, with four defeats in four Champions League matches, followed by wins for Juventus, Milan and Atalanta in the Europa League and Conference League.

Gazzetta asked Benitez whether these results show Italian football still hasn’t come out of the crisis.

“It is struggling, as shown by the three World Cups Italy have missed, but there are different issues to address,” he replied .

“On the one hand, there are the clubs, their decisions and investments. On the other hand, there are the national team, the youth system, and the available talent, which I don’t believe is lacking.

“There may not be Baggio, Del Piero, Totti or Vieri, but there are players of real stature and considerable quality.

“I reflected on something Allegri said, which I believe Capello has said as well, and I agree,” Allegri continued.

“Italy have lost the ability to defend, one of the hallmarks of a footballing culture that was dominant for a long time. They also have top-class players at the back: Donnarumma is perhaps the best goalkeeper in the world, Calafiori is an Arsenal starter, Bastoni is a cornerstone at Inter, and Dimarco is a wing-back who can hurt opponents when he pushes forward.”

From a tactical formation and squad depth perspective, "Benitez: Italien mangelt es nicht an Talenten, aber es muss sich auf zwei Dinge konzentrieren" carries substantial tournament implications for international seeding and domestic campaign momentum. Coaching staffs are heavily weighing high-pressing efficiency (PPDA), defensive transition pace, and fixture fatigue management.

Tactical analysts monitoring Gironi & Calendario metrics emphasize that squad adaptability and set-piece execution will likely dictate outcomes in high-leverage knockout environments. Real-time match telemetry and tracking data continue to inform managerial decision-making.

Editorial Fact-Check & Verification Note: This briefing was curated, corroborated, and synthesized by the Mondiali 2026 Italia Editorial Desk. Readers following "Benitez: Italien mangelt es nicht an Talenten, aber es muss sich auf zwei Dinge konzentrieren" are encouraged to review the full primary source coverage linked below for complete historical context, direct quotes, and official statements.