Italy national team head coach Luciano Spalletti believes that the Azzurri will be met with a difficult test from Israel in the Nations League on Monday evening, as he feels that the opposition are hard to predict with their flexible systems on the pitch.
Spalletti spoke to Italy’s social media channels on the eve of the Nations League match in Udine.
Spalletti issues Italy with warning ahead of Israel
The CT warned Italy that Israel are capable of switching systems at any point in games, and that they poise a big threat on the counter-attack.
“They’re difficult to predict because they alternate between two systems. Sometimes they change from the off, sometimes mid-way through the game, so you have to be ready for their qualities, of which there are many.
“They have good technical qualities in the middle of the pitch, and they pose a threat on the counter-attack with their high quality.”
Spalletti made a fair few changes to his team for the 2-2 draw agains Belgium last time out, and could be set to make a few more rotations given the quick turnaround between matches.
“Generally speaking, it’s something you have to do. You think you’re organised in training, but the matches are so close together with about 24 hours available, so you have to be able to monitor things in the short-term,” he said.
The game against Israel is extra special for Spalletti, as he enjoyed two separate stints in charge of Udinese in the early 2000s.
He described his experience in Udine as: “Beautiful, lots of friends, and they will be watching the game in the stadium.
“I had a great time in Udine, it was a place that helped me grow in all aspects, as a person and as a coach. It’s a great city, good people and I always feel moved when I go back there.”
🗣️ “𝐔𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐦𝐢 𝐡𝐚 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐮𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐢 𝐚𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢, 𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐢 𝐦𝐢 𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐳𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚̀”
🎙️ Le parole di Luciano #Spalletti alla vigilia di #ItaliaIsraele #NationsLeague#Nazionale 🇮🇹 #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/TjQBSDeJta
— Nazionale Italiana ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri) October 13, 2024