Luciano Spalletti spoke on the national team’s official channels ahead of the match against Venezuela: “It will be an extremely difficult match.” The Azzurri will face the South American side in Miami, one of their final friendly matches before the beginning of the EUROs, and Spalletti is keen to try out new systems before the competition begins:
“We need to do something modern. Previously, we had little time and focused only on one system, even when we lost, we had to focus on one thing. With friendlies, we will try out a few more things. Have we analyzed Venezuela? Of course, it’s an obligation. We don’t underestimate anyone; we consider everything in front of us as if they were the best. So, we want to know everything about our opponents. Since Batista became coach, they’ve lost only once against Argentina. It’s an extremely difficult match for us; we need to know a lot about the opponents to avoid embarrassment.”
Regarding his experience as a national team coach, Spalletti expressed, “I feel like I’m in heaven. For me, the National Team is happiness, and I’m extremely happy to work within this shirt. Often, it’s crucial whom you dedicate your time to, and I’m dedicating mine to the National Team, trying to do things in the best possible way. Then, of course, results will make the difference, but the commitment, humility, and courage to satisfy everyone will always be there, especially when we come to embrace Italian communities around the world. We’re happy to show them that they can trust us.”
Spalletti also discussed the role that the final friendlies will play in selecting players for Euro 2024. “We’ll be attentive and present in the teams’ training sessions, in league matches, we’ll take with us what comes out of these friendlies where we’ll see some new faces; there’s always the possibility of getting involved. Being Italy, we always need to create stronger and newer stuff; we’ll take the results of these trials with us.”
The head coach also commented on the meeting between Sinner and the national team: “It’s an example since he started. From a normal kid, from a situation more difficult than others, he managed to climb many positions becoming number one. To be on top of the world, one must become top in managing the hours when not engaged in sports activities, as well as in matches and training. It’s evident he’s mentally focused correctly; his choices, like changing coaches, speak for themselves. He knows where he wants to go and knows his character very well.”
Finally, Spalletti addressed the passing of Fiorentina’s general manager, Joe Barone: “As a national team group, we’re all close to the Barone family and Commisso’s family. We know the value we’re losing for our sport and for football in particular. He has influenced football more in these five years at Fiorentina than many others who have been in this environment for a lifetime and have done nothing. The Viola Park is proof of what it means to do things as entrepreneurs.”
