Italy’s national team coach, Luciano Spalletti, has confessed to feeling “a little tense” as Italy prepares to face Germany in the Nations League quarter-finals. He emphasized the significant responsibility that comes with managing the national team.
The Azzurri are heading into this stage of the Nations League after a strong group phase performance, where they equaled France in points. Spalletti explained his strategy of incorporating young players, highlighting their capacity to “always bring something new” to the team.
Spalletti Confident in Italy’s Continued High-Level Performance
“We opted for young players because we believe they possess the energy and fresh perspectives to offer,” Spalletti stated in a TV interview.
“Young players consistently introduce innovation. However, this role carries substantial responsibilities.”
“At times, the pressure is intense, yet it fosters a deep connection with the players. I enjoy supporting them and sharing experiences.”
“My coaching journey began with youth teams in underprivileged areas, where kids confided in me about issues they wouldn’t discuss with their parents. This experience has stayed with me.”
“It becomes natural to receive messages that inspire motivation.”
“There are words meant to motivate players, and others simply for formality. When we arrive at hotels, both domestically and especially internationally, we are greeted by fans waving the Italian flag with incredible passion.”
“For them, the Italian flag symbolizes something deeply meaningful. As De Rossi says, ‘We never take off the national team jersey.'”
Spalletti expressed particular satisfaction with Mateo Retegui and Moise Kean becoming leading scorers in Serie A this season.
“We have rediscovered strong and vital personalities,” he added. “Recently, finding effective strikers has been a challenge for us.”
Reflecting on Italy’s EURO 2024 exit in the round of 16, Spalletti emphasized the valuable lessons gained from the experience.
“A defeat is only truly a loss if it provides no lesson,” he asserted.
“If it imparts knowledge, it becomes a catalyst for growth. Indeed, the team has demonstrated the ability to deliver strong performances subsequently.”
“Now, I am optimistic that we can sustain this level of performance.”
“I am feeling a bit tense,” Spalletti reiterated regarding the upcoming Nations League match against Germany.
“Not overly worried, because I want to instill in my players that matches are determined by our own contribution. Fear is just a random emotion. Danger is something concrete, occurring at a specific moment.”
Spalletti: Napoli Marked the End of My Club Coaching Career
Spalletti, 66, also reminisced about his Scudetto victory with Napoli. He shared how he used to display Maradona’s jerseys at the training grounds to inspire his team. He also declared that Napoli would be his last club management role.
“I even got a sofa bed to sleep there,” Spalletti mentioned, referring to the training ground.
“Castel Volturno is quite distant from Naples. I needed to dedicate all my energy there, without losing time commuting.”
“I hung up Maradona’s shirts as if he was watching over us, giving us strength. I always entered locker rooms needing to manage my emotions, unsure if I was up to the task.”
“Napoli represents my final chapter in club football; I could not envision coaching another team in Italy. After experiencing such an environment, it’s hard to return as a rival.”