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18.10 – With Luciano Spalletti, there will be the captain and ‘host’ Gianluigi Donnarumma in a press conference on the eve of France-Italy. The PSG goalkeeper will speak from the press room at the Parc des Princes.
18.31 – The press conference begins.
Have you heard Mbappé?
“I just said goodbye to him and my other teammates. We have a great relationship, we are great friends but tomorrow we will be rivals. We have to be very careful, they are strong players and we will definitely have to work against them.”
What kind of match could it be?
“There is no better match than this to show that we are not the ones we saw against Switzerland. I am happy to face a great team like France. A new cycle has begun, we are all very motivated, we are fine, you can see happiness in the group and this is important. I have seen a great sense of belonging in these days and a desire to show that we are Italy, that we are not the ones from the last match. We really want to play this match, we will give our all to bring home the result”.
What kind of welcome do you think the French fans will give to Mbappé? You went through a similar farewell
“Kylian has given so much to PSG, to Paris. I think there will be a great welcome for him, also because tomorrow he will play with the national team. There will be a great welcome for him as well as for all the other players of the national team. Then each player makes the best decisions for his own good: while he was here he gave his all”.
How do you see this France?
“They have very strong, quality players, like we do. They have a little more experience, but then the game is played eleven against eleven on a football pitch. I don’t think there will be a favourite, it will be a difficult challenge: they have a lot of sprinters and we will have to control the ball and the game well, we have to work and put into play all the situations that we have prepared in recent days. It will be a very beautiful game”.
Can you describe yourself as a captain? Would you like to become vice-captain of PSG?
“Being the captain of the national team is a source of pride for me. When you’re a child you aspire to wear the blue jersey and there must be a great sense of belonging. I feel a very strong sense of responsibility, I always try to give my best, to enjoy it and to help others. In PSG there is Marquinhos who is the history of this club: he is a reference figure, but there are many leaders in the team. I’m happy to have him as captain”.
How did you find Spalletti? Is there a new management?
“I see the coach as very motivated. We spoke before the meeting and he was very motivated, he is much calmer and more relaxed. We had a bad summer, we talked about it and we are sorry about that. There are new players who can help us and can grow, we are all convinced and happy that we can continue with him. He is a coach who helps us grow, gives us a hand and prepares the games very well. We are happy to continue and resume the discussion with him. He has certainly changed a bit in management, I see him much calmer. But in the end we are the ones who take to the field and we have to give everything, wearing the national team jersey is something unique: those who are not here would like to be here and we have the duty to sweat for the jersey, to respect it and honor it by leaving the field calm in the knowledge that we have given 120%”.
Can you tell us about the evolution of Barcola?
“He’s a phenomenal player, very strong. This year he’s taken the extra step he needed to become even more devastating: he’s unpredictable, but since I know him very well we can steal something from him. Then there’s also Mbappè and Dembele: it will be difficult for our defenders to mark them, but I’ve already given him a couple of straight passes.”
How do you evaluate the growth of this team?
“I’m very happy, the team gave an important response after the European Championship. I see very close-knit guys, we get along well and we have fun. I see a different atmosphere and I like that, it’s something that could make the difference in the future”.
What is your relationship with Maignan? What do you think of him?
“He’s a great goalkeeper and he’s doing very well, he did very well with France too. I’m happy. I haven’t heard from him, but I’ll see him tomorrow and I’ll congratulate him: he’s giving a big hand to both the French national team and Milan”.
What kind of welcome do you expect for the Italian national team?
“I expect a great welcome like in all the parts of the world we go to, the Italians make themselves heard and we will try to give them joy. I hope there will be many, we want to entertain them and make them proud”.
19.08 – Press conference concluded.