Italy midfielder Jorginho reflected on the team’s hard-fought draw against Croatia in their Euro 2024 match, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and team spirit. A late equaliser from Mattia Zaccagni was enough to guarantee the Azzurri a place in the last 16, something Jorginho was keen to point out in his post-match interview with Sky:
“This is the beauty of football: when things get tough and difficult, you believe in your teammates, you don’t give up, you keep fighting, and your work pays off,” Jorginho said. He stressed the need for continuous improvement while also acknowledging the importance of savoring special moments like these.
The Arsenal player expressed joy at seeing the Italian fans happy, noting how it positively affects the team. Analyzing the match, Jorginho pointed out the team’s strengths and areas for improvement: “In the first half, we had more control, but we made some mistakes in our build-up play and decision-making. There were moments when we could have hurt them.”
Jorginho highlighted the unforgiving nature of modern football, stating, “In this game, you can’t close your eyes for a moment.” He referred to the second half when Italy conceded a penalty and what he described as an avoidable goal. However, he praised the team’s pride and determination in pushing forward, which ultimately led to the equalizer.
Explaining Italy’s tactical approach, Jorginho said, “We weren’t content with just passing the ball around. We did it to draw their pressure and attack behind them, but technically, we didn’t execute our vertical passes well.”
