Domenech: Gattuso’s Italy play poorly, I joke but with respect | OneFootball

Raymond Domenech and Italy, a relationship that has always been complex and marked by historical tensions. The former coach of France, defeated by the Azzurri in the 2006 World Cup final, has once again spoken about Italian football in a lengthy interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, sharing memories, criticisms, and a few provocations.

Domenech: “Gattuso’s Italy plays badly. I joke with you, but with respect”

Domenech recalled some episodes from the past that, in his view, damaged his relationship with Italian football: “In 1994, in the Under-21 European Championship semifinal, you committed a mess of fouls and the referee let you get away with it. You ended up with nine men, happy to go to penalties. Then in 1999, again with the Under-21s, there was a disallowed goal and a sending off: I said the Portuguese referee was corrupt and, years later, the Calciopoli scandal broke out. In the end, I hadn’t made anything up.”

2006 World Cup: “For me, it’s still a draw”

Inevitably, there was a reference to the night of July 9, 2006 in Berlin, when Italy won the World Cup on penalties against Zinedine Zidane’s France. Domenech recalled that iconic episode: “Knowing Zidane, I knew something like that could happen. Every now and then I still wonder why he reacted that way. I have no regrets: we were the favorites and Italy only played with pride for the ten minutes after Zidane’s goal. For me, and also for FIFA, it’s still a draw.”

A statement that inevitably reignites the rivalry with the Italian public, who are still very attached to that historic victory.

Today’s Italy in the crosshairs: “You play badly, Donnarumma saves you”

There was no shortage of barbs at Gennaro Gattuso’s current national team: “I watched your match against Israel: Donnarumma saved you, you play badly. And to think there are those who criticize France.” A direct criticism that confirms the traditional frankness of the former French coach, never gentle towards the Azzurri.

“I love Italy, but I like to provoke”

Despite the provocations, Domenech made it clear he holds no hostility towards our country: “I love Italy, it’s a beautiful country, full of contradictions and exuberance, just like me. I like to provoke, but I always joke with you with respect.”

And then a quip about Jannik Sinner, in true Domenech style: “But don’t tell me Sinner is Italian: he’s Austrian!” he said, laughing.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.