Italy-Bulgaria 1-1: High price for a great summer, lack of character'.

September was always the worst month, there were too many mistakes, which means our defense weakened. That often happens after a win.

Italy after Vembli was quite effective in normal management, but it lacked perseverance and character. The individual matches have to be seen for what they are, one by one. The big picture only emerges at the end of the road. This is a different tournament, a different era, where we are always on the right track, but we are not the 'bad guys' we were two months ago.

There are too many mistakes this time - technical errors in passes, movements, finishing. When so many mistakes are made by players who normally don't make mistakes, it means the defense has weakened, we're playing some' 'confined space, no real atmosphere. That often happens after a victory.

After the 1982 World Cup, we played a friendly at the Olimpico against Switzerland in late September and lost 1-0. I'm not saying it's too important, it's just that for moments of true glory you'd expect more from Jorginho. He didn't even touch the ball in the last twenty meters, leaving everything at an easy level. Same with Barella, it was as if he was asking himself who am I and where am I going.

In the end, we were always going to win, but it didn't add much to anything. I think it was the price we paid for the beautiful summer we had. Let's leave it at that. I think it's unfair to argue too much about the draw in September, our worst month in fifty years, because as southern Europeans we always start playing after everyone else. Let's just say we were off form. That said, not forgetting to look for' 'The old soccer enthusiasm that was the main driving force behind winning.

3 September 2021 (changed September 3, 2021 | 09:14) © All Rights Reserved