Here is my two cents on the subject…
First, do not underestimate Italian special operations. They pulled some of the most daring & amazing stunts during the Second World War.
Second, Italian naval doctrine in the 1930s was built around speed. Italian warships were by far the fastest units on the sea at the time. They just weren’t properly deployed to use their speed to their advantage.
I would highly recommend The Mediterranean for some futher reading.