Federico Chiesa admitted the Italy squad have ‘a huge responsibility’ ahead of their must-win Euro 2024 qualifier against North Macedonia.
The Azzurri currently sit third in their qualifying group, three points behind second place Ukraine, who have played an extra match. Serhiy Rebrov’s side are Italy’s final opponents for qualification, pilling on the pressure for their coming two games.
Italy failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after losing to North Macedonia in a play-off in Palermo last year, causing some fans to fear yet another qualification misstep. Should the Azzurri fall short, they’d still have a chance to take part in next summer’s tournament through the play-offs.
Speaking to Sky Sports Italia via TMW, Chiesa first discussed his emotions ahead of Italy’s clash with North Macedonia.
“When you are in the national team, you carry with you a huge responsibility, tomorrow we play a fundamental match for qualification.
“I’m really happy to be here, unfortunately I didn’t participate in the previous matches, but I’m really happy to be able to help the team tomorrow.”
He spoke about the new-look Italy squad ahead of next summer’s European Championship.
“There are many new players, but also many players who have won the European Championship. We are the right mix. We must achieve qualification, otherwise we are here talking about nothing…
“We must qualify, we are Italy. There is possibility of this failure, like the one that culminated in the night in Palermo. But we take to the pitch aware of wanting to achieve the objective.”
The 26-year-old winger commented on the changes with new coach Luciano Spalletti.
“For a winger the instructions are always the same, especially in Europe they are needed for one against one, for numerical superiority.
“Something has changed in midfield, but at a winger and forward level the movements are the same. The coach asks a lot, let’s hope tomorrow to show it on the pitch.”
Finally, Chiesa discussed his physical fitness and what tomorrow’s game against North Macedonia means.
“I feel good. Unfortunately, last training camp I had this small injury that didn’t allow me to train for 10-12 days, but now I’m back in shape.
“Tomorrow we can close many circles, but it depends on us, no one will give us anything.”
I said it before England will get revenge they did. North Marcedonia already taken two points from Italy in a match they should have lost. While a war torn Ukraine will want to make their nation have pride. Revenge is what happens in football against Italy it’s never the other way around and it repeats itself.
Who cares about England, they still have one nothing since 1966
Italy are far better than both N. Macedonia and Ukraine. The international scene isn’t great so i would expect Italy to qualify and do well in the Euros. We are the champions and must defend the trophy with honour and style #FORZAAZZURRI
Italy rebuilding ,no one wins all the time but we will qualify, the team sounds positive 😉
The team that Spalletti put out against England was a sign of his stupidity. I expect much of the same from him in the coming crunch matches.
Elaborate, Lega Serie A… there was nothing really wrong with that lineup.