Italy CT Antonio Conte warns young players must be worked harder – ‘maybe we’ve forgotten that a player is also an athlete’.
The Azzurri Coach spoke about the state of youth in Italy, insisting that players who are good enough will be given a chance, and calling for more physical work.
“We must recover the spirit of sacrifice that has been lost,” Conte explained to Il Nuovo Calcio.
“We have to transmit that to players from childhood. If you work hard during the week, you’re more likely to do so in a match.
Italy CT Antonio Conte warns young players must be worked harder – ‘maybe we’ve forgotten that a player is also an athlete’.
The Azzurri Coach spoke about the state of youth in Italy, insisting that players who are good enough will be given a chance, and calling for more physical work.
“We must recover the spirit of sacrifice that has been lost,” Conte explained to Il Nuovo Calcio.
“We have to transmit that to players from childhood. If you work hard during the week, you’re more likely to do so in a match.
“In football schools, they start by teaching players at a tactical level, when in fact – up to a certain age – fun and freedom to dribble or shoot, should come first.
“Compared to other countries we have less players capable of beating a man.
“We’ve held several meetings with Coaches in Serie A and Serie B, as well as coaches and players from the Primavera teams.
“It showed that when these lads get first-team football, they’re not ready. Beyond talking about technique and tactics, what has come to light is the physical gap.
“Maybe we’ve forgotten that a player is also an athlete.
“Young players, strong, quality ones, will play. I had my Serie A debut at 16, and was doing the same work as my ‘senior’ teammates.
“[Gigi] Buffon was 16, [Paul] Pogba, 18. With me at Arezzo, [Andrea] Ranocchia took the central defensive spot from the then-captain.
“It doesn’t matter what age is on your ID card.”