The challenge to Spain
“AND a Spain different from the one we have seen in the last twenty years. He has a much more vertical kick. It has good players capable of maintaining a high technical level. They are incisive and dangerous. I also tell you that I saw a great Italy against Albania, then I assume that it will be a difficult match for both. The national team is very motivated.”
The luck we had in 2021
“Honestly, we had a bit of luck. I always said it was the most difficult match I had ever played. Last European Championship we were lucky, but we were also very determined and cynical in knowing how to exploit our opportunities on the counterattack and then also defend the result. In the penalties, luck rewarded us again.”
On Calafiori and Bastoni
“Calafiori is a great player. I like the way he interprets the game. I also tell you that if Manaj had scored, people would have judged him differently. Unfortunately, footballers are subject to these judgments based on individual episodes. You shouldn’t judging by a mistake. Both Calafiori and Bastoni are and will be the Azzurri’s starting defenders for years.”
On his friend Morata
“Alvaro and I talk often. I think he has grown a lot. He has had a great evolution, especially from a human point of view. As a footballer he has always been good. He scored many goals wherever he went. The problem, from my point of view, is who paid a very high price for having had to change teams too many times. If his career had been in Spain for fifteen years, and in the same team, I think he wouldn’t have had so much criticism today young and needed to be protected.”
