Sportal.it exclusive, for Gonzalo Quesada pressure and pride: “An honor to coach Italrugby.”
Sportal.it exclusive, for Gonzalo Quesada pressure and pride: "An honor to coach the'Italrugby"
It's time for the Six Nations: the wait this year is getting even more feverish for the Italian national team, which begins a new course under the management of new head coach Gonzalo Quesada, the first Argentine to coach Italrugby. At the microphones of Sportal.it, on the sidelines of the presentation in Sky studios, the new coach expressed his first feelings about Italy: "I found an Italian movement that has yet to develop compared to countries like France, but I like it a lot".
"I have heard so many clubs, clubs are the heart of rugby, we have to continue to develop this spirit,” Quesada continued.
The two franchises work very well, we depend on them so much and the staffs work well. There are many foreign players who cannot play for us but the two franchises are doing a good job. We haven’t had a training session all together yet, Tuesday and Wednesday we will do it and really find out the national team next week".
"Did I expect the call? It was a goal for me to one day coach the national team, I had been contacted in the past but nothing concrete. When they called me è it was a nice surprise, especially the second time when they informed me of the choice. It's a great honor, I know it è an important moment for the Italian national team, and to be in the group of people who will make it grow makes me very proud".
"Italians similar to Argentines è an advantage? Definitely, there are so many players who have represented Italy, and being the first Argentine to coach the national team è another reason to be very honored. There'è pressure but I really enjoy this challenge. I am aware that it will be difficult against the best teams in the world, and I think we can continue to grow this group of players who have desire and passion".
Italy will start immediately at home against England: "To tell you the truth; I would have preferred to start with a game abroad, since there s always a little less pressure, to have a little bit more time to get to know the team, because now we have two days next week, then only one week to prepare for the challenge against England, which will be very important for us. But the schedule è so we will do well".
Italy will make its debut with England on Saturday, Feb. 3, at 3:15 p.m. The match will be broadcast on Sky Sport One and streamed on Now, as well as be seen live on TV8.
