Luciano Spalletti’s Italy is ready to return to action after victories against France and Israel in the Nations League. The Azzurri’s next opponent will be Domenico Tedesco’s Belgium, with the return match against Israel scheduled for Monday, October 14. Ahead of the match, Spalletti addressed the media, sharing some updates on his squad.
When asked about using a linking forward or a true striker, Spalletti responded, “It changes little. We have players who know how to play well with the team. We want to have quality in that area of the field and we need to be able to do more things. Pellegrini has the same possibility as Raspadori to create that superiority that will allow us to manage part of the game. But tomorrow, Pellegrini will start.”
Spalletti expressed confidence in the team’s spirit and determination: “I’ve seen the same things strengthened as when we played against France and Israel. Many were already present in past matches. This is a group that gives hope for our future, especially in the way they stay together and are friends. In this case, I’m confident in what these guys can do. I found them full of energy and desire. Now I really have the feeling that I have a team in front of me that truly knows what it’s doing.”
Commenting on Calafiori, Spalletti noted, “He knows how to be ready. He has the responsibility to make important decisions. He has experience in many roles, but in a team, you need to have order, balance.”
Regarding the upcoming match against Belgium and the team’s World Cup ambitions, Spalletti concluded, “I have positive feelings. It’s an important match for our future. World Cup? We feel it as an obligation, but it certainly shouldn’t become an obsession.”
