The ‘can’t be two Italies’ trope thing was made because people like angst, myself included. One of the Italies having to disappear because ‘there can’t be two’ is one of my personal favourite AUs, I adore the angst of it. It’s called an AU for a reason.

Okay, but don’t you see how problematic it can be when angst overrides history and culture? 

Don’t get me wrong either. I’m not a canon-police type person. I 100% believe in artistic liberties, but from the fics that I’ve seen depicting this trope, they don’t label it as an AU. It’s portrayed as canon-verse. If the author states at the beginning that they’re departing from canon and recognizes these cultural and historical differences, then maybe, but you also have to recognize how sensitive and personal this topic is to some people. 

They’re two separate personifications for a reason. There are other ways to enjoy angst in the series too. No one’s stopping you from doing that.