“Let’s start from a consideration that may seem trivial, but is the basis of all reasoning: we couldn’t expect more from Italy, given the little time available to prepare for this European Championship.” This is what he wrote this morning Arrigo Sacchi in the Gazzetta dello Sport.
The former Azzurri coach comments on the Azzurri’s winning debut at Euro 2024. “The start was horrible, with that wrong throw-in from Marco’s and the consequent goal by Albania, but afterwards we managed not only to stay standing, but also to build action after action and turn the score around. This is a clear signal: the reaction was there, it means that the group has moral values on which the foundations of the project must be based”.
“I expect one from the defenders more attention, particularly in decrement marking situations. We haven’t always been precise. I’m honest: the rearguard, in general, both in the first and second half, didn’t give me the impression of being perfect, but it could be that I’m wrong – underlines Sacchi -. In the first half we managed to create a few other good opportunities, in addition to the two goals, however there needs to be more movement. Let me explain: Scamacca, in the position of the classic center forward, must dictate the tempo, once he must come forward and once he must attack the space. I saw him as too blocked, not in tune with his teammates. I believe that he needs to get to know his teammates even more, that he needs to integrate better into the team. Spalletti will help him on this journey. Just as it will help the midfielders to maintain a higher maneuvering pace. Too often we went slowly into the opponent’s half of the field and, when we do this, we end up losing our distance very little. Jorginho must raise the level and must impose a higher speed of passage. And then I want to do a applause to Dimarco: he made a very serious mistake, this is true, but then he reacted, he wasn’t there to feel sorry for himself and he helped the team in the comeback. Dimarco has important technical and physical qualities, and now we have seen that he also has great character qualities. It is on this certainty that we must base ourselves to give strength to our hopes.”
