Antonio Conte looks back on a year as Italy Coach. “I want to reach Euro 2016 with an ambitious squad.”
The former Juventus boss took over last summer following the 2014 World Cup debacle in Brazil, earning five victories, four draws and Tuesday’s 1-0 friendly defeat to Portugal.
“We all worked together very hard and on my part I can say that I put my passion and eagerness into the mix,” declared Conte.
Antonio Conte looks back on a year as Italy Coach. “I want to reach Euro 2016 with an ambitious squad.”
The former Juventus boss took over last summer following the 2014 World Cup debacle in Brazil, earning five victories, four draws and Tuesday’s 1-0 friendly defeat to Portugal.
“We all worked together very hard and on my part I can say that I put my passion and eagerness into the mix,” declared Conte.
“There is a long road ahead of us and we have not yet written the first page of a book that will lead us to Euro 2016. I want to get there with an ambitious squad.
“It has certainly been an intense year for me, especially as after being a club Coach, taking over a national team job is quite a big change.
“It’s one thing to have players at my disposal for training every day, another to do the work required by the Nazionale.
“It has been a wonderful experience in every aspect, even if there’s a lot more work to be done. Now we have the objective of qualification close by and so need this year to increase the experience of these lads.
“Against Portugal I started players like Andrea Bertolacci and Roberto Soriano, making their first real steps into the Italy side.
“Others like Mattia De Sciglio, Stephan El Shaarawy and Ciro Immobile had a difficult year and played very little, plus new guys like Manolo Gabbiadini, Nicola Sansone, Giacomo Bonaventura and more.
“We have to realise that our team must never lack generosity, spirit of sacrifice, passion or desire to overcome difficulties.”