LEIPZIG (GERMANY) (ITALPRESS) – “There are matches that make your story small or large, it is from this challenge here that important results can then be achieved: we have made choices because we are convinced that we are dealing with strong footballers, I saw their desire to participate and be there, this willingness of theirs, this desire of theirs then translates into being available to play these challenges.” Thus the technical commissioner of the national team, Luciano Spalletti, on the eve of the match against Croatia, scheduled at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig. “From what I saw, I noticed behaviors that I like, it’s clear that I didn’t like the match the other night – he continued – we talked about it, we took a step back from what we had seen in the last few matches. The level is always very high, any national team has the possibility of putting together 20 players who know how to read the game, who have important experiences, I expect to see that the match against Spain taught us some things.” Spalletti doesn’t say too much about the formation, but makes it clear that he has clear ideas about the changes to be made to the team: “It’s clear that the idea of changing something is there after a match like this, maybe I was wrong not to change before , given what the performance was, but it seemed so good (the one against Albania, ed.) that I considered it a gamble to get involved. Surely something will change.” The Azzurri recover Dimarco, but the central issue of the match will be in the middle of the pitch: “We will try to have more substance, perhaps less beauty, but more substance, to avoid surrendering ourselves to their quality, then it is clear that we want to play the match in the middle of the pitch, not in our penalty area, they have strong players, even at kicking from outside, at finding the right positions, we want to be careful and square, but also keep the ball.” Spalletti firmly believes in his group and is keen to defend it from any external criticism: “They didn’t order these players from me, I chose them myself. Di Lorenzo is my son for how long I’ve been with him, I always struggle without a player who has the qualities of him, it’s clear that I have to analyze things, but I’m convinced of the value of the man and the player. How to recover from a psychological point of view? Quickly said, if you don’t get a result you go home, but here you are dealing with all-round professionals.” Alessandro Bastoni, Inter defender, spoke together with the Italian coach: “There is no fear in this sport, there is no reason for it. We spoke to analyze what happened, we understood our mistakes, when you lose or get discouraged or look for motivation, fortunately football always gives a second chance, we can’t wait to get on the pitch tomorrow. We have great respect for our opponents, the defeat against Spain left us a lot and helped us a lot, it is when we lose that the true value of the man must come out.”
– Photo: Ipa Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
