Carlo Ancelotti thinks that Italy will benefit with the proposed first team introduction of Paris Saint-Germain’s Thiago Motta.
Carlo Ancelotti thinks that Italy will benefit with the proposed first team introduction of Paris Saint-Germain’s Thiago Motta.
The latter is expected to be in the starting XI to face Spain given that Daniele De Rossi may be dropped back into a three-man defence.
“If Thiago Motta was at Milan when I was there then I would have always used him alongside Andrea Pirlo,” PSG boss Ancelotti noted.
“Cesare Prandelli’s decision is perfect. Thiago can play anywhere in midfield – including to the left of a strong central player like Pirlo,” he added of his January capture from Inter.
“Motta has brought intelligence, personality, experience and a desire to win with him to Paris. He’s a great professional and he’s formidable at breaking into space from midfield.”
There are some big question marks about the strength of this Italy side that is struggling with form, but Ancelotti is remaining optimistic.
“We won’t start the game against Spain as beaten,” he stated. “I know how it will end, they’ll keep the ball and we’ll hit them on the break.
“Italy can get to the Final, even if everything will have to go right. Spain became Spain four years ago by beating Italy on penalties in the last eight.
“It doesn’t take a lot to change history…”