Italy, Luciano Spalletti feels changed

Italy, Luciano Spalletti feels changed

He has already begun to turn over a new leaf, Luciano Spalletti, after the "ugly" summer – that's what he called it – following elimination from the European Championships. On the eve of France-Italy, the debut in the Nations League, scouting with his Azzurri at the Parc des Princes, the coach assures that he is "different": "our life becomes better,” he reveals, “if we understand what happens to us and whyé.

I have treasured the previous experience, I feel like I have understood things". Of course, then, it depends "on the players", he points out. But he assures that he has "seen the desire to keep our backs straight, not to be surrendering, not to carry regrets. The boys have the qualities to become top players, they just need to get some experience" "After the first three days of work – assures the 'new' Spalletti – after coaching them, these boys gave me the first football smile after the European Championship. I have seen good things, rhythm, passion, availability, giving thou to the ball. È this is the key to get things back on track".

Donnarumma, who spoke before him as captain, warns: "I have very good relations with the PSG teammates who play in the national team, they are strong players, unpredictable, it will beà hard against them. I have already given a couple of 'tips'to our defenders about Kylian (Mbappé ed), about Barcola…but for us there's no better match to show that we are not the ones seen at the European Championship. We have started a new cycle, we are all very motivated, we are doing well, you can see a lot of cheerfulness in the group, there's a desire to prove that we are Italy".

And the coach? È really a "new" Spalletti? "I found the coach more" calm, serene. And very motivated – says the PSG goalkeeper – we had spoken on the phone before the gathering, we had a bad summer, we talked about it and we are sorry". Spalletti expects a tough match, difficult to interpret: " France è a sly team, they almost give you the impression that they can manage the game, but that becomes their strength: you take courage, go two or three steps forward and when they win the ball they restart with the outside forwards who in the open field, if we are not in order and have no balance, create difficulties" to everyone".

He has good words for all his guys, especially the young guys: "we left behind players like Jorginho, Verratti, now we have to do something different. We have maybe people with less extreme, but more constant, willing to sacrifice. Ricci has a lot of quality, Tonali has rhythm, energy, we found him smiling and willing to be with his teammates. Raspadori you can play him anywhere, he always gives you something, sometimes less visible, sometimes more.

Then, a caress to another young man, who forò è is already a veteran. Indeed, the captain: "Donnarumma was a predestined from childhood, with that imposing physique. He immediately felt the eyes on everyone, the responsibilityà. Then, è he went to play very early in such important clubs as Milan, this formed him before any other normal footballer. Now è he has become a very strong goalkeeper, sometimes I see him when he spreads his arms wide…he practically covers your whole goal".