Rafa Benitez: Italy Are Not Short of Talent But Must Focus on Two Things to Revive Football

FolioPitch.com – 16 October 2026 | In the wake of a mixed week for Italian clubs in European competition, former Inter, Napoli and Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez has offered a measured but pointed assessment of the state of Italian football. Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, Benitez Italy are not short of talent but must focus on two things: nurturing young players and adopting a balanced style of play. The Spanish tactician, currently in charge at Celta Vigo, dismissed the notion that Italy lacks quality, but echoed concerns raised by Massimiliano Allegri and Fabio Capello that the country’s traditional defensive solidity has eroded.

Serie A sides endured a torrid midweek in the Champions League, suffering four defeats from four matches. However, there was some respite in the Europa League and Conference League, where Juventus, Milan and Atalanta all secured victories. These contrasting results have reignited debate over whether Italian football is still mired in crisis. Benitez, who has extensive experience in Serie A with Inter and Napoli, believes the issues are multifaceted but not insurmountable.

“It is struggling, as shown by the three World Cups Italy have missed, but there are different issues to address,” Benitez said. “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.” He acknowledged that while Italy may no longer produce icons of the calibre of Roberto Baggio, Alessandro Del Piero, Francesco Totti or Christian Vieri, the current generation still boasts players of genuine stature and quality.

Benitez Italy are not short of talent but must focus on two things, he reiterated, pointing to a loss of defensive identity as a key concern. “I reflected on something Allegri said, which I believe Capello has said as well, and I agree,” he explained. “Italy have lost the ability to defend, one of the hallmarks of a footballing culture that was dominant for a long time.” Yet he was quick to highlight that top-class defenders remain: Gianluigi Donnarumma, whom he considers perhaps the best goalkeeper in the world; Riccardo Calafiori, an Arsenal starter; Alessandro Bastoni, a cornerstone at Inter; and Federico Dimarco, a wing-back who can hurt opponents when he pushes forward.

The former Liverpool and Real Madrid boss also questioned whether Serie A is as competitive as it once was. “In extreme cases, you can certainly say that Roma, Inter, Napoli, and Como are built around different parameters,” he noted. “To me, it seems like a temporary short circuit, but the Champions League returns on Tuesday and Wednesday, so we’ll have answers quickly.”

So how can Italian football bounce back? Benitez Italy are not short of talent but must focus on two things, he concluded: “Focus on young players and a balanced style of play.” He elaborated on the tactical shift that has contributed to defensive vulnerabilities. “Since the rules changed in 2019, allowing teams to restart play from inside their own penalty area, teams have adopted a high press and man-to-man marking when defending. That is what happened with Mbappé’s goal against Roma: one individual error, with no cover, leads directly to a chance. Today, teams defend man-to-man, which results in a counterattack every time the initial press is beaten.”

Benitez’s analysis underscores a broader need for structural introspection. While the clubs’ investment strategies and the national team’s youth development are separate issues, they are intertwined. The lack of a coherent defensive philosophy, combined with a dearth of opportunities for young Italian players, has left the Azzurri and Serie A clubs struggling to compete at the highest level. Yet Benitez Italy are not short of talent but must focus on two things, and his prescription offers a clear path forward: trust in youth and restore tactical balance.

As the Champions League resumes next week, Italian sides will have an immediate opportunity to respond. Whether they can heed Benitez’s advice remains to be seen, but the message is unambiguous. Italy’s footballing heritage is rich, and the talent pool is deeper than results suggest. With the right focus, the peninsula can reclaim its place among Europe’s elite.