{"id":297700,"date":"2025-11-17T20:15:10","date_gmt":"2025-11-17T20:15:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/297700\/"},"modified":"2025-11-17T20:15:10","modified_gmt":"2025-11-17T20:15:10","slug":"grosso-against-italy-2006-world-cup-comparisons-doesnt-help-esposito-is-proof","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/297700\/","title":{"rendered":"Grosso against Italy 2006 World Cup comparisons: \u2018Doesn\u2019t help, Esposito is proof\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"BERLIN<\/p>\n

BERLIN – JULY 09: Francesco Totti (L) of Italy and teammate Fabio Grosso, celebrate with the world cup trophy, following the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 Final match between Italy and France at the Olympic Stadium on July 9, 2006 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Andreas Rentz\/Bongarts\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

<\/a> <\/p>\n

Fabio Grosso says that he hopes people stop making comparisons between the current Italy national team and the side that won the World Cup in 2006, insisting that it \u2018doesn\u2019t help\u2019 emerging young players, while also praising the qualities of Francesco Pio Esposito: \u2018He\u2019s proof there are good guys coming through\u2019.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Grosso asks to stop Italy 2006 World Cup comparisons<\/p>\n

Unlike the 2006 squad, Italy will have to go through the play-off campaign if they are to feature at the 2026 finals. That confirmation comes after a 4-1 defeat against Norway<\/a> in San Siro on Sunday evening in Italy\u2019s final game of the qualification groups.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Grosso, speaking in an interview with Radio Anch\u2019io Sport, explained that making needless comparisons between the current Italy side and more successful teams from years gone by is of no use to the players.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cMaking these comparisons with the past and with the 2006 national team does not help young players,\u201d Grosso said (via Corriere dello Sport<\/a>).\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"SASSUOLO,SASSUOLO \u2013 AUGUST 23: Fabio Grosso, Head Coach of Sassuolo, looks on during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and SSC Napoli at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on August 23, 2025 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe in these guys\u2019 qualities so much. We have to be better at getting them in the right place to be able to show themselves,\u201d he continued.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cConstantly saying what we lack doesn\u2019t help get us what we need. We have to be more balanced and recognise that we\u2019ve had certain obvious shortcomings in recent years, and I\u2019m not just talking about the players.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to work to fill these gaps, which is what the national team deserves.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

One of the shining lights of this current Italy side is the emerging Pio Esposito, who now has three goals from five caps and has scored in both of his last two outings for Italy.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cEsposito is proof there are good guys coming through,\u201d Grosso said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"MILAN,MILAN \u2013 NOVEMBER 16: Pio Esposito of Italy celebrates scoring his team\u2019s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Norway at San Siro Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s young, strong, he\u2019s also playing at high levels both with Inter and the national team. He\u2019s a great thing for our football. We often say that we need to bring new guys in. He\u2019s the demonstration that we have guys there, and they are good.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s start with the, and look to rebuild something great. We have to raise our level and we can do it by bringing fresh energy, with guys who want to play on big stages.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n


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