Luciano Spalletti receives the Tapiro d'Oro after Italy's elimination from the Nations League

"Now for the World Cup it will be a bit tougher, but I'm going forward with this group despite what is said". Thus the coach of Italy, Luciano Spalletti, receiving the Golden Tapir for the elimination of Italy from Nations League. "For that goal, Tapiro is fine with us," the Italian coach said later, referring to the mocking goal that doubled Germany's lead.

"In the dressing room I told the lads that they had to realise what we were doing and that I would expect a reaction," Spalletti then said, concluding with regards to the penalty first awarded and then taken away from Italy: "I don't know what happened. Every time I referee in training I get unrepeatable insults from the players, so I don't know how to judge."