4.45pm – In addition to Luciano Spalletti, Italy’s second goalkeeper will speak at the press conference on the eve of the friendly test against Bosnia William Vicar.
5.10pm – The press conference begins.
Does your presence here mean that you are the third starter? Donnarumma’s leadership under discussion?
“I’m the goalkeeper, then the coach chooses. I’m ready in any case, even to lend a hand from outside. You can always be useful in any situation, then we’re sportsmen and we always want to compete. I’m always available for the team shirt National”.
TMW – One year later you return to Empoli but with the national team shirt: how exciting will it be? What have you improved in this year?
“It’s super exciting to return to Castellani for the first time with the national team shirt. Thinking about it again and realizing it tomorrow will be an emotional moment: for me, for my parents, for many people from Empoli who still love me and allowed me to play this match here. It’s the team that gave me the real chance to show off in Serie A, to fulfill my dream of playing in the Premier League. Since I left I feel more confident in my abilities, they have had the courage and the madness of showing off. I will always be grateful to Empoli.”
Like Donnarumma you play abroad. Why do our best goalkeepers go abroad?
“For me it was an opportunity. Maybe you play less tactical, more physical football, but it’s part of a growth path that I wanted to follow. It’s part of a wealth of experience that in my opinion an athlete does well to put into their path”.
Is there a bit of fear in going to play abroad?
“Probably sometimes the fact of having to deal with a different culture and language can create some problems, perhaps at the end of a year you still don’t feel adapted, integrated. But I believe it’s worth it not only from the from a sporting point of view because it also opens your eyes a little: maybe here you are also in a comfort zone, while from these experiences you can grow in conviction and awareness”.
Are you ready for the European Championships?
“We are ready, then day after day we can always improve. We are here every day to try to get as close as possible to correct, effective behavior. Every day the coach taps on the keys that interest him and we are humble executors , adding to this the ambition of challenge and of not feeling inferior to anyone.”
What do you think about building from the ground up?
“Like all things, they must be done to create advantageous situations. In many situations, creating numerical superiority is an advantage, then it can’t be the goalkeeper who tries to dribble like Chiesa does on the right: I can’t do that. If done correctly it makes great sense and for the last three years I too have been going through this process because it wasn’t required before. But it’s part of an athlete’s growth because this brings benefits: a small risk can bring big benefits.”
5.20pm – Press conference finished.
