Ahead of Italy’s Nations League match against Israel in Udine, head coach Luciano Spalletti shared his thoughts during a press conference. Here are the key points from his statements:
Spalletti began by expressing his fondness for Udine, saying, “It’s a beautiful territory. I was fortunate to come here during my career. Chairman Pozzo is a strong president who taught me a lot.” He added, “I’m happy to be in this stadium, although I wish it were under better circumstances. Football is joy, and the current atmosphere isn’t quite that. We hope peace will come to this part of the world.”
Regarding the upcoming match, Spalletti cautioned, “The game is full of difficulties because they are a good team who know how to play football. We’ll need to maintain order and balance, as they showed us in the first leg. We’ll choose the best lineup for this.”
On team selection, Spalletti confirmed, “Vicario will play in goal.” He praised the squad’s efforts, stating, “The group is working with great commitment on the right path of sweat, sacrifice, and attachment to the shirt. They’re showing us good things.”
Spalletti emphasized the challenges ahead: “Any growth never has easy steps. We must always replicate what we’ve done in these two matches. In football, one episode can throw away all the good that’s been done. There’s always something to learn from the games that pass.”
Discussing specific players, Spalletti said, “Fagioli deserves playing time. He knows how to play football and is working hard.” On tactical possibilities, he added, “Fagioli and Ricci can play together. I gave him the role in front of the defense because the midfielder usually takes care of that little piece there.”
Regarding the opponents, Spalletti noted, “We know them all one by one, and a couple are strong. We’ve dedicated videos to deepen our knowledge of the players. Israel knows how to play football and can do excellent things in midfield.”
Finally, Spalletti outlined his team’s approach: “I hope the team manages to take control of the game. We’ll need to interpret their positioning. Quality and precise play between the lines will be fundamental, without giving too many references to their defensive line. We’ll need to create superiority around the ball, then move 10 meters below and 5 above without lingering and giving reference points.”
