Italy national team coach Luciano Spalletti has shared his thoughts on his two in-form strikers, Mateo Retegui and Moise Kean, ahead of the upcoming Nations League matches against Germany in March. The coach expressed satisfaction with the current state of Italy’s striking options, a position that has often been problematic for the Azzurri in recent years.
“At the moment, it’s like this, and it’s always good to say ‘at the moment,'” Spalletti began. “It’s primarily because of what the top scorers list shows: they are two bombers in the true sense of the word. And this, for me and my work, is more of a gratification than a consolation.”
When reminded that it had been over a decade since two Italians led the Serie A scoring charts at this point in the season, Spalletti admitted he hadn’t considered that fact but acknowledged it as a positive sign.
Contrasting Styles, Complementary Growth
Spalletti went on to describe the different characteristics of his two strikers: “Retegui is a positional center-forward, while Kean is more of a mobile striker, almost a second striker in some variations. But I definitely see a parallel between the two: both are completing themselves this season, in terms of personal growth.”
On Retegui’s development, Spalletti noted, “Inside the box, he remains a sniper: he controls the ball, turns, and shoots. But he has grown in his back-to-goal play: how he lays off for teammates, offers support, comes to help the team. Still positional, but more mobile: this way he also gives fewer reference points.”
Regarding Kean, the coach observed, “Moise remains power combined with technique, but before he wasn’t such a finisher: less of an area player, more about movement. He has perfected this, improved a lot in the little things he was missing.”
Playing Together
When asked if Retegui and Kean could play together, Spalletti was optimistic: “Yes, they can: also because of what I said before, about the fact that they are experiencing a season of football maturation and completing their repertoire enough to become two top strikers. Then, it depends on the type of game to be played.”
He elaborated on tactical considerations, suggesting that against teams playing with a low block, having two penalty-box strikers could be advantageous. However, he noted that against Germany in March, who are likely to press aggressively, pairing Retegui and Kean might be more of an in-game option rather than a starting strategy.
Looking Ahead
Spalletti expressed confidence in his striking options for the upcoming matches: “A while ago, before games like these, we were chasing the conviction of having a first-choice striker who was a guarantee. In March, at least today we can say this, we arrive with the confidence of the team, public opinion, and fans in having two strikers who are certainties. Or who are at least proving they can be. And all this confidence, then, they feel it too.”
The coach concluded on a positive note, stating, “But I am a happy coach for everything, always.”
