The little soldier still runs. Yesterday on the pitch, today on TV screens. Angelo Di Livio he is a regular guest at European Dribbling, the daily in-depth analysis of RAI 2 on the Euro 2024 event in Germany, and a long-time appreciated commentator on the state TV sports-themed channel. The program curated by Fabrizio Failla and Paolo Ciotti got off to a good start (well over half a million viewers on Sunday: 748,000 for a share of 5.9%) with Paolo Paganini hosting, Katia Serra in the studio with Giulia Stronati and many guests connected: from Paolo Belli to Francesco Pannofino, color reports, stories and interviews from the correspondents. Exclusively for Virgil Sports, By Livy comments on the victorious debut of the Azzurri at Euro2024, he who was part of Zoff’s Italy group that came second at the 2000 European Championships in Belgium-Holland.
Di Livio, how does he evaluate the performance of the two central midfielders Barella and Jorginho. Do the movements, progressions and filters in the defensive phase convince you?
“I liked both of them, I consider Barella to be one of the best midfielders in Europe today and against Albania he was the best on the pitch. However, I always expect a little more from Jorginho, towards the end of the match he deteriorated physically and mentally.”
What impression did Spain make on you? Are you more afraid of individuals or team play?
“I appreciate and almost envy their way of having fun and playing football, with their tiki taka and constant ball possession. Fabian Ruiz I think that in the match against Croatia he showed that he is superior to everyone. In his vision of the game and in his possession of the ball he impressed me a lot.”
As a wing man, how do you see Chiesa on the right? Do you see any similarities or differences with his way of playing?
“Chiesa is much more offensive than me, I wanted to reward him in the report cards and in the television comments. We need his bursts of speed and his goals to do well in this European Championship. Against Albania he showed himself to be a ‘poisonous’ and dangerous player for the opponents.”
Italy’s engine is in midfield, who is the best in the squad?
“I’m not talking about the individual because I believe it’s the collective that should be rewarded. This Italy doesn’t have huge stars but things work in the group anyway. Spalletti is the commander and the team will only have to follow him in every way.”
Italy could have scored more goals, what is the team still missing?
“Against Albania I didn’t appreciate that back pass by Dimarco which cost us the goal. Calafiori’s intervention in the final needs to be reviewed and could have cost the Azzurri dearly if Donnarumma had not managed to make that extraordinary save. The match should have been closed earlier, chances in front of goal no longer go wrong.”
Do you think Frattesi and Pellegrini perform better as attacking midfielders in the 3-4-2-1 (behind the striker) or that they play better in the 4-2-3-1?
“They both played a good game. Frattesi failed in the insertions and stops and then came to kick on goal. Pellegrini is better between the two, the team must grow more on individuals. We need more insertions from Frattesi and more personal plays from Pellegrini to get to the goal more easily.”
On Dribbling, can you tell us some anecdotes about how you experience the live broadcast, if you meet before the programme?
“Dribbling is a technical broadcast but equally lively, fast and full of interesting ideas. Before the program we discuss the various topics to be analysed, we start from there and then live everyone puts their own spin on it. The feeling with Katia Serra is excellent, she is an extraordinary and very competent colleague. Paolo Paganini, the host, as well as being a great professional, is always a dear friend. The driving force of the program are the curators Fabrizio Failla and Paolo Ciotti with whom we constantly interact. Euro 2024 is such a fascinating competition that it involves you to the maximum, analyzing the matches leads you to follow everything with such attention that time flies and you don’t even notice…”
