Carlo Tavecchio says Antonio Conte is 'the Azzurri's North Star' and promises a new Coach by the end of May.
The Italian football federation president backed the current Coach from the start, and must have been particularly disappointed when Conte announced an upcoming deal with Chelsea after Euro 2016.
Carlo Tavecchio says Antonio Conte is 'the Azzurri's North Star' and promises a new Coach by the end of May.
The Italian football federation president backed the current Coach from the start, and must have been particularly disappointed when Conte announced an upcoming deal with Chelsea after Euro 2016.
“We're ready to head off to Montpellier and to Lyon, but I hope we can make it to Paris,” Tavecchio told the Corriere dello Sport. “We have a long and particular path ahead of us. In the Azzurri skies there is a North Star that guides us and I'm convinced that it will take us somewhere good.
“Conte is our strength, our guarantee, our certainty. Without him I wouldn't be so optimistic. He holds together a whole football system that aims to do well at Euro 2016.
“A person like him on the bench means that all the players and the staff can give more than 100 per cent. Dreams are a good thing and they don't cost us anything.
“I'm in touch with him often, almost every day, and I can assure you that he's driven and that he wants to have a great Euro 2016. He's getting ready with the usual levels of care.”
Italy will go into the tournament with a reshuffled squad after losing Mattia Perin and Claudio Marchisio to injuries. Even Marco Verratti is in dubious condition.
“Unfortunately luck is not on our side. All of these physical problems don't help, but we view life like [great Italian writer Alessandro] Manzoni. For us, bad luck is sent by providence, and there's always a way out even in difficulty.”
Italy's debut game in the tournament will be against Radja Nainggolan's fearsome Belgium squad.
“Wait and see, we'll do well against one of the favourites. Personally I think that in the tournament's opener what matters most is not losing. I'd consider a draw a positive result. Still, let's not sit here making calculations, we should just play to our strengths until the end.
“Federico Bernardeschi? He's one of the best. As for finding Conte's replacement, it's early to discuss that. It's still going to take one month. I won't name names. We're working and at the end of May you'll find out.”
Serie A and Serie B will introduce video replays after a two-year testing phase.
“It's going to be an experiment and we'll have to see how it impacts the game from a technical point of view, but I've long been in favour.
“It will remove subjectivity and doubts. I'm glad we're here at last. Serie A took it well, and Serie B will get used to it. Our stadiums are ready and there are at least 12 cameras per match. You'll see that video replays will bring greater legality and objectivity. Enough with the doubts and the suspicions.”