Making sense of Conte’s thoughts on Giovinco and MLS

There will be no Atomic Ant or Pirlo wonder kicks in Paris this year.

On Monday Italian National Team coach Antonio Conte, to the surprise of many, opted to leave Giovinco in Canada and Pirlo in New York City for the Azzuri’s European Championship campaign.

Conte when asked about the exclusion of Pirlo and Giovinco did not have many kind things to say about the league. During his press conference Conte said:

“Nothing was left to chance. We evaluated and Giovinco, it’s normal that if you choose to go and play MLS then you can pay the consequences in footballing terms. We evaluated them technically, we didn’t leave anything to chance. Anyone who thinks otherwise is wrong, we went everywhere to have clear and precise ideas.”

Now MLS-based players being left off of the rosters of national teams is nothing new. Since the league started in 1996 numerous players have found themselves snubbed ahead of major international tournaments. 2016 is no different with Fabian Castillo and Joao Plata being left off of Colombia and Ecuador’s national team ahead of the Copa America Centennario. Even the United States has shown a history of opting for non-MLS players. So those who are making this situation out as something new are being a bit short-sighted.

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It should also be noted that most of the controversy seems to stem from Giovinco being omitted and not Pirlo. Pirlo certainly has more of the pedigree at home than the Atomic Ant but to say that his form has been a bit lacking at NYCFC would be an understatement. One can also empathize with the Italian Football Association wanting to bring in a younger player as opposed to a 37 year old Pirlo who likely will not be playing in World Cup 2018.

One other point that is worth making before diving into these comments: Conte is leaving his post as Italian national team manager after this tournament. With Conte leaving for Chelsea after the Euros one has to wonder how much of a say he had in this roster. Given the decline of Serie A in recent seasons the Italian Football Association may have had more of a say in this roster and opted to go with a younger set of forwards.

Looking at who Conte selected at the forward position it is clear that he went for a younger group of players. Of the five players selected only two of them have more than ten appearances for the senior national team (Ciro Immobile and Graziano Pelle). If Italian FA is looking more towards Russia in 2018 and using this tournament as a chance to build then one can at least see where they are going with this. It is not a question of whether a player like Simone Zaza or Lorenzo Insigne are better right now than Giovinco, it is whether or not getting experience in this tournament will help the Azzuri in the long run.

So with that being said let’s look at the Giovinco controversy and how they tie into Conte’s comments. His thoughts seem to stem from the common perception that MLS is a step or two below the level of the leagues in Europe. This is a line of thinking that has existed since the league started and although it has eroded some with the play of players like Giovinco, Robbie Keane, or David Beckham that negative stereotype has not left.

In many instances, MLS has not helped itself in this regard. From player acquisitions to their byzantine league rules the league has often operated against the norm of international football. Although these things might not have directly impacted Conte’s decision to exclude Giovinco they do impact how coaches and managers view the league and the product.

That being said, Conte and the Italian FA need to change their way of thinking. Although MLS has not been a wellspring of Italian talent in the past, this is not the same league as it was in 1996. Improved scouting and coaching has opened up play some moving it from just a league known for their physical play to a more open style.

One also has to wonder how Matt Miazga, a product of MLS, feels about Conte’s comments. Given that he is still fighting for his spot at Chelsea these comments certainly do not bode well for his future at Stamford Bridge. Keep in mind Conte’s comments were not limited to Giovinco or Toronto FC but to the standard of the league as a whole.

The good news for MLS supporters is that the league’s fate abroad is not tied to Giovinco making the Azzurri. In general, MLS players have been popping up for national teams not just in Europe but also the world. Over the last four major regional domestic international competitions (The 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup, 2015 Copa America, 2012 European Championship, and 2015 African Cup of Nations) MLS is the only non-European league to be represented in every competition.

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Even at this year’s European Championship MLS will have a presence. It is perhaps fitting that Italy will be taking on this role as the villain of MLS considering that at least two of their three opponents will feature MLS players (Laurent Ciman of Belgium and Kevin Doyle and Robbie Keane of the Republic of Ireland). If Sweden’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic does actually join MLS then perhaps UEFA remain the group “Group Garber?”

In the end Conte’s comments and Giovinco’s snub will only negatively affect Italy. Those that like to pull the negative stereotype of MLS are likely never to change their position and so the league will have to continue to build without them. However, if Italy falls short in EURO 2016 after another terrible domestic season and UEFA Champions League campaign their supporters will point to the Giovinco and Pirlo decisions as further examples of an out of touch football association.

MLS may be taking it on the chin again but it is Italy that may be hurting the most in the long run.