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The head coach of Italy, Luciano Spalletti, spoke at a press conference to introduce the upcoming two Nations League matches.

Luciano Spalletti, head coach of Italy, spoke at a press conference introducing the upcoming two matches of Nations League in which the Italian national team will participate: on Thursday in Brussels against Belgium, and on Sunday at San Siro against France.

The first place in the group is at stake, which would significantly help in qualifying for the next World Cup.

LUCIANO SPALLETTI PENSIVE ( PHOTO BY SALVATORE FORNELLI )

Italy, Spalletti’s words

Italian football is showing good signs of health, with Retegui and Kean leading the top scorer list and the championship being wide open. Even in the cups, our teams are performing well.

“This gathering is about continuation, we need to build on what we have shown so far. This morning when we met the players, as time is short, I immediately highlighted something that is a summary of everything, and we showed them graphics related to what we experienced during the European Championship and the Nations League.

This change has mainly been due to them, Buffon told them that one of the important qualities seen is the recovery of awareness of their qualities and strength. Now it is evident that they are calm and aware of their strength: through these characteristics, they have also become a team. We don’t say anything, we compliment them, and we are certainly happy that they have fully absorbed this new tactical system.

Now, since football is constantly evolving, there are different ways to play on the field, and they know how to adapt to what the other team proposes. I told them that we are happy to have perfect rebels.”

At the European Championship, only against Albania did we create more than the opponents, in the Nations League, it happened every time. Why? How is Ricci?

“There are data that go beyond those known to everyone, namely the danger indices that encompass all the things that happen during the match. It is true, we shot much more on goal and we were much closer to the opponent’s area compared to our rivals. Another very important data is the re-pressing and winning the second ball, a different data compared to that of the European Championship. Now we have to do it again, and it is never easy because we have really strong opponents.

I was told that only 2-3 could play in those national teams. Ricci goes home because we have started this relationship with the clubs, and if a player is at risk of getting injured, we don’t bring him. It would have been very difficult to recover him for the first game, then he would have had to grit his teeth. We need two midfielders for the first game, so he goes home and another one comes. Who in his place? Locatelli”.

You need just one point, are you concerned that the team might relax?

“The first thing to do is not to think like that… We have to consider who we have in front of us: Belgium is ahead of us in the rankings and has players who play in the most important European clubs or in France where it is said that only a couple of our players could play there. If someone relaxes, it’s better for them to go home. These are two very difficult matches, and presumption is the first thing we have to fight. Now we have a perfect group: as I know them, there will be little to say about these guys here”.

Can you explain Retegui and Kean? Will they play together in these two games?

“It also becomes easy to explain why they can play together, Kean has also played as an outside striker and is more about speed, legs, running around. He also creates dangers with his strength and physicality, he is a lone striker. While Retegui is more of a penalty area player, shooting with his back to the goal. He sees the goal, he is good at seeing backwards inside the penalty area. Kean has now also shown this, yesterday he scored in all ways, and those three goals show that he is complete. Retegui is the main striker and Kean goes underneath him, takes the ball, can hold it there for two minutes.

Is this also a solution for these two games?

“Who wants to play? For now, we continue in this way here, and Kean has this little problem that needs to be managed, at least for a couple of days, and then we try to put them in the best conditions to express themselves. Then during the match, having an important alternative is equally important”.

What do you see in Comuzzo? How do you judge the situation in Rome?

“Comuzzo has great attention, he is a very attentive player and has a powerful physique, he is a nice surprise. He is strong in defending, also good at setting up because he is a clean player: this personality shines through, despite being very young. We are pleased to see players who stand out, who show their talent, and a talented player can also be a defender who makes it tough for all those in front of him.

About Roma, first of all, I am sorry because I have been there for a long time, and when I am in a place, I fall in love with many things, I gave them all of myself. I find it reductive now to come and talk about what is happening, but I prefer not to create further chaos and behave well. I believe they have the team to get out of this situation”.

Has Kean found his definitive consecration? Why the call-up of Savona?

“Kean is the player who most resembles what happened to our group, he has had this fairly rapid growth. He has shown the belief in having quality, the message he sends when he plays is really strong. This taking each other’s hand has happened a bit to the whole team. I called Savona because I am curious to know him, it is the same as other times: he is an emerging player and plays as a starter at Juventus, he pushes and knows how to push. He can also play as a full-back, and you can switch him with Di Lorenzo. We know one more with great footballing and human qualities”.

How much is this lowering of the age affecting the change in the National Team? What is the role of sport in this delicate moment for the world?

“After the defeat against Switzerland, you immediately asked me what I would do, and on that occasion, I replied that I would lower the average age of the National Team, and so I did. Then, if you decide to stay, you must have an idea and carry it forward, and it seems to me that something has been guessed because I see everyone very focused. We must support them and bring out their talent. In response to the second question, we must show that we are sensitive people and when we can support, help those in need, it is important to do so.

We must not be superficial and show that football is in the hands of serious people, not spoiled children. We must engage deeply because football is a very serious sport that can also be used for other purposes. And then we need to rebuild the stadiums, it’s something I bring up every time I feel like it… You can’t watch games in these stadiums here. In general, we are behind, and we need to catch up with others”.