After The Malta Cukur, Luciano Spalletti Sends A Warning To The UK

The Italian team celebrated a goal in the match against Malta in the Euro 2024 qualifiers. (Twitter @Azzurri)

JAKARTA The coach of the Italian national team, Luciano Spalletti praised the performance of his team when they beat Malta four goals without reply in the Euro 2024 qualifying continuation. Spalletti said this victory was a warning to England who would be the next opponent.

Before the match, the Gli Azzurri squad was in doubt because of the storm of injuries and gambling scandals that made Spalletti send Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo home.

However, playing at the San Nicola Stadium, Bari, the hosts were able to win a landslide victory through Domenico Berardi's two goals and a goal from Giacomo Bonaventura and Davide Frattesi.

"The important thing is three points, never doubt it. The players are professional without taking Malta lightly," Spalletti told RAI Sport as reported by Football Italia.

"You can see these players are eager to get to know each other further and play good football, so we're quite happy."

However, the former Napoli allenatore was reluctant to be carried away by the euphoria too far. This is because Italy has been waiting for the leader of the standings, England. Even though he had to appear at the opponent's home, Wembley Stadium, Spalletti still had the ambition to win.

Moreover, the victory over England will bring Italy to reduce the distance with the Three Lions in the standings, as well as revans over the previous defeat at home when Roberto Mancini was still training.

It (against England) is a game where we can really see our potential. After we play, I'll tell you what that potential is," Spalletti said with a smile.

The victory over Malta left Italy in second place in Group C of qualifying Euro 2024 with seven points out of four. Luciano Spalletti's team are six points behind England, who have played five times.