Gonzalo Quesada refuses to blame Italy star as shot at glory goes begging in Genoa

Gonzalo Quesada refused to single out any individual after Italy’s late defeat to Argentina in Genoa, insisting the Azzurri’s failure to capitalise on first-half dominance was the real reason they slipped to a 19-14 Nations Championship loss.

Italy trailed by five points in the closing stages but still had an opportunity to snatch victory, only for the chance to go begging as Argentina held on. Fly-half Paolo Garbisi’s missed penalty touchfinder in the final play of the game effectively ended Italy’s chance of grabbing a win over Los Pumas.

Speaking afterwards, Quesada admitted the result hurt given how much control his side had enjoyed during key passages of the contest.

“From the 20th to the 30th minute it was the moment when we really had to crush them and we were not ruthless,” said the Italy boss.

“Instead we gave them the chance, even through some of our mistakes, especially in the scrum, to get back into the game. The key was there.”

Despite the disappointment, Quesada was encouraged by the reaction his players showed after last week’s heavy defeat to South Africa.

“We did a great job, with a truly impressive level of determination and character.

“We created the conditions to win against Argentina, and it was by no means a given. We prepared the game to put them under pressure in front and in the final third.

“We managed to find spaces and almost never be under pressure when they had the ball. Everything we had prepared, the basis of the game, worked.”

The Italian coach stopped well short of pointing fingers over the late missed opportunity.

“Knowing that, after all the work done together during the week, with thirty seconds to go we could have won against Argentina in Genoa, and that it also depended on us, hurts,” he said.

“We had the tools and the chance to win, but we let the opportunity pass. We are still missing something, we have to be more solid.”

Captain Giacomo Nicotera echoed those sentiments, believing game management remains an area for improvement.

“It was a very dirty game, with two teams facing each other with great intensity,” said the hooker.

“When I was on the pitch I had the feeling that there were moments when we could have better managed the momentum of the game.

“After the first action with Leo’s kick we thought: here we are, we have many opportunities, the scrum works.

“The feeling is that even in numerical parity there were moments when we could have managed possession better, stayed organised and kept control of the game.”

Quesada also drew a clear distinction between this defeat and Italy’s poor summer showing against Australia.

“The match against Australia was an unacceptable game, there are no excuses,” he said.

“For me this defeat is not in the same category.

“November is the time to finish learning, because after that there will be no more time. The Six Nations will arrive and then the main goal, which is to get to the World Cup to really compete and try to do something important.”