Luciano Spalletti’s national team is backawaiting the two Nations League matches against Belgium (Thursday in Rome) and Israel (next Monday in Udine). The Italy coach spoke at a press conference from Coverciano talking about various topics, also focusing on some individuals: “For Chiesa and Zaccagni in this module the doors are a little less open? A little yes, a little no. Zaccagni yesterday he scored a goal as a second striker. Chiesa has often played in that role in Allegri’s Juventus and I see him in that role. He needs to understand certain things, but in my opinion he can do it with Gasperini he points and is inside the pitch. You just need to see that they enjoy being inside, they aren’t afraid of feeling the defender’s breath on the back of their neck. Because when you play outside it’s different, you have a different perspective and you always realize what’s going on to happen. Sometimes staying inside means losing sight of the defender and a few more characteristics are needed. The players mentioned know how to do it and we have left several hypothetical players called up at home: Maldini and Pisilli I bring them into the 23 because I want to see them in the belief of. being able to see them on the pitch, being part of a national team match and being able to make a difference.”
Pisilli in the national team after all the process, Daniel Maldini in the national team 22 years after his father Paolo.
“I only have Daniel’s shots at my disposal and he has a lot of qualities, he’s kind of the player we’re missing. He has a beautiful, enchanting play and then he can handle hits in tackles, he knows how to put his nose in front of you and then it becomes difficult to catch him. He knows playing very well with his back to the opposing defence: sometimes he is absent from the game but seeing him play continuously I have found a fairly significant growth in him. Let’s see what effect being here this week has on him, I am convinced that being here can create good things for him inside capable of creating artistic plays, he will be encouraged to be more continuous because sometimes he goes out of the game, I’m happy to talk to him because he seems to have important possibilities when I look at him, he seems like a good midfielder, he knows how to do both phases and he is one who arrives. De Rossi told me that in small games he is someone who always scores goals, he always arrives, he has energy. He is someone who can do everything, I think he deserved it too to come here with us and now we will realize. We have to do these tests in this way here: for now I only want to bring 23 players, I don’t want to have two more players who make 5-6 feel like they can stay out. Today we have 15 players who will do some training, the others will do a cool-down. And if the need arises tomorrow we are still in a position to be able to hire someone.”
Read coach Luciano Spalletti’s full press conference here