Spalletti: 'Italy is living the dream, the giants are not afraid of a football match'

Italy coach Luciano Spalletti has eased the sense of pressure heading into Saturday's first match of EURO 2024, comparing his players to 'heroes' and 'giants' who are not afraid to 'play a game of football'.

Head coach of the Italian national team Luciano Spalletti

Spalletti, alongside goalkeeper and captain Gianluigi Donnarumma, provided an update on the team's system at his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon, confirming that Italy could play with three or four defenders depending on their opponents. There is also the option of an attacking partnership between Gianluca Scamacca and Mateo Retegui, while Alessandro Bastoni is expected to have a bigger role due to the absence of Inter teammate Francesco Acerbi.

Italy begin their Euro campaign against a familiar foe in Albania, who have a number of Serie A representatives in their ranks. Spalletti confirmed he is more excited than nervous ahead of his first game in charge at a major tournament.

On Albania, Italian style, system and courage

“From a personal point of view, there are a lot of emotions involved, but as time goes on, it becomes more of a happy feeling than a stressful one, which is a great feeling because yes, it is a great place to play a great match.”

“The game itself is very complicated. I agree that coach Sylvinho has done a great job building this team and we are facing players with quality and who understand the Italian style of football very well, as they have shown in Serie A. It will be a difficult game.”

Spalletti asked supporters to stick with the team regardless of which system they decide to play in Germany. “It’s important to stick to your brand of football, but sometimes there will be people who will object to that. I’m sure our team will show what we want to do with our style. It’s not just the 11 players on the pitch, it’s the 60 million fans who the Azzurri ask to play with us and motivate us on the pitch.

“We are living the dream of every Italian who, as a child, left home with a ball in his hand and returned home late at night, sweaty and with sore knees. We are heroes, giants, that is, wearing the uniform of a team that does not have the pressure of this tournament. Giants and heroes who do not mind going to a football match.”

On replacing Acerbi, Scamacca/Retegui and Barella

Asked how Italy could line up at the back without Acerbi, Saplletti replied: “Acerbi is experienced, but being forced to make decisions can help you.

“Bastoni can be a leader too. Then there are the likes of Biongiorno and Calafiori, players who are destined for the highest level. You can see it in their eyes, they are two very serious guys. But the truth is we are up against a very serious team.

“We could decide to play with three at the back, but three defenders can also attack. I said we had to consider the possibility of playing with two strikers, because Scamacca and Retegui are very strong, as well as Raspadori, who can come off the bench.

“I think we can play with both systems. The system on the pitch is the basis if we want to control the games. If you can, you decide to control the game, but if it becomes a 50/50 battle, you have no choice. It depends on the flow of the game.

On Scamacca, Spalletti said: “Scamacca has developed a lot recently and we congratulated him. He is complete, he has everything.

He also confirmed that Nicolo Barella is back in full training with the squad and all signs are positive ahead of Saturday's opener.

“He did everything yesterday, he will be there again today and he will train later. You can feel his emotions, he had the same problem, but he played the game he needed. The doctors' opinion is important because players always want to play. But everything from last night showed that he will be ready.”

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Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/spalletti-italia-dang-song-trong-mo-nhung-ga-khong-lo-khong-so-mot-tran-bong-da-post744683.html