Andrea Barzagli dismisses controversy over oriundi, and welcomes Eder and Franco Vazquez to the Italy squad.

The pair are, by birth, Brazilian and Argentinian respectively, but have been called up to Antonio Conte’s latest Azzurri squad, with Roberto Mancini, among others, criticising the decision.

“Oriundi? They’ve always existed, those are the rules,” Barzagli pointed out in a Press conference ahead of the Bulgaria match.

Andrea Barzagli dismisses controversy over oriundi, and welcomes Eder and Franco Vazquez to the Italy squad.

The pair are, by birth, Brazilian and Argentinian respectively, but have been called up to Antonio Conte’s latest Azzurri squad, with Roberto Mancini, among others, criticising the decision.

“Oriundi? They’ve always existed, those are the rules,” Barzagli pointed out in a Press conference ahead of the Bulgaria match.

“If they’ve been called-up and are doing well in the League then they can play for the National Team.

“It’s always been fine, other nations do it too. They’re welcome.

“Conte? He’s very forthright, he says what he thinks and goes his own way. It’s normal that he can create controversy if he knows that certain decisions will benefit the National Team.”

The Juventus centre-back readily admits that Euro 2016 is likely to be his last major tournament for his country, and hopes that the likes of Daniele Rugani can fill his shoes.

“I can’t see myself still in Azzurro after the Euros, primarily because I’ll be over 35. I’m not a player like [Gianluigi] Buffon or [Andrea] Pirlo who can keep going until 40.

“So I hope that young defenders like [Alessio] Romagnoli can take over for the National Team. There needs to be rejuvenation, definitely.”

Bygaby

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