Italy faced a crushing defeat against France, ending the game with a score of 73-24 during the Six Nations Championship held on February 24, 2025, at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. This matchup not only marked Italy’s worst defeat ever under coach Gonzalo Quesada, but it also showcased significant gaps between the teams' performances.
The match started with high hopes for the Italian side, but as the game progressed, France quickly established its dominance. Despite Italy managing to score three tries, their inability to maintain ball possession – possessing it for less than 40% of the match – saw them succumb to consistent French pressure. French coach Fabien Galthié’s team capitalized on Italy’s weaknesses, leading to what can only be described as a stark display of skill and strategy.
Coach Quesada expressed his dismay over the match’s outcome, acknowledging, "Questa sconfitta deve farci male, è l’unico modo per ricavarne qualcosa di positivo e lavorare in vista dell’ingiuria." This translates to the idea of using the pain of defeat as motivation. He mentioned, "Quando perdi in maniera così pesante, però, tutto passa in secondo piano," highlighting how such heavy losses overshadow any positive aspects of the game.
The frustrations continued as players like Michele Lamaro, the team captain, admitted to making errors during the game: "Siamo partiti difendendo bene, poi abbiamo concesso loro dei vantaggi troppo semplici: loro sono una squadra che sa sfruttare queste situazioni." Meaning they began strongly on defense but started conceding too many easy opportunities to the French, which were expertly capitalized upon.
Italy initially put up some resistance, with notable tries by players like Menoncello and Brex providing glimmers of hope early on. But once France ramped up the pressure and found their rhythm, the match swung heavily. Dupont, showcasing his playmaking skills, was instrumental, scoring two tries and supporting his teammates effectively throughout the match.
The game was also marked by Italy's defensive frailties, as they struggled to recover from multiple mistakes. Quesada remarked on Japan earlier, underscoring the ramifications of defending too long without possession. He said, "Quando passi troppo tempo a difendere alla fine cedi, se non sei costante nel mantenere il possesso,” which reflects the challenges of maintaining defensive integrity when always on the back foot.
The statistics from the match painted a bleak picture: eleven tries scored by the French against just three for Italy illustrated not only the stark difference in performance but also served as a stark wake-up call for the Italian side. After the game, Quesada stated, “Quando perdi in maniera così pesante, però, tutto passa in secondo piano,” again emphasizing how the scoreline suppressed all positive reflections on Italy's playing style.
After the final whistle, both the team and management were visibly conscious of the road ahead. Quesada reiterated, "Dobbiamo provarci da questa sconfitta e farne tesoro per crescere," and called for the team to glean lessons from this disappointing match as they prepare for upcoming challenges against England and Ireland.
Despite the shortcomings, Quesada believes the team has the potential to reflect and regain their footing. He conveyed confidence to respond to the challenges from the top-tier teams, citing the mental toughness of his players: "Spero che questa sconfitta ci colpisca e ci faccia trovare la giusta via per continuare nel nostro processo."
With both England and Ireland looming as formidable upcoming opponents, the need for improvement and the spirit to bounce back will be pivotal for Italy moving forward. "Le prossime due gare saranno dello stesso livello di quella di oggi,” Quesada summarized, noting the gravity of their situation. The lesson learned is scarring but not insurmountable; Italy must regroup and regain their competitive edge as they continue their Six Nations pursuit.