Daniele De Rossi highlighted the qualities of Giacomo Raspadori and underlined the importance of data in modern football.
The 22-year-old Italian forward has risen to the task following his move from Sassuolo to Napoli in the summer, slowly carving out space for himself in Luciano Spalletti’s squad and proving his qualities for the Azzurri. Raspadori scored in both of Italy’s Nations League games this international break and is proving his abilities after making the jump to Campania.
Speaking at the Social Football Summit in Rome, De Rossi first discussed the importance of working with data in modern football.
“Fundamental, you can’t do without it. The collection of data and the match analyst is fundamental. The eye is important but it’s no longer enough. The old school thinks like that, but data helps a lot.
“Many years ago we were about to buy a footballer at Roma and I wanted another one, Nainggolan. The other player had better data, but it had nothing to do with Radja.
“There, though, you have to look at the team, where he plays and the coach. Data is important but it’s not enough.”
He touched on the qualities of this Italy squad and how it feels to work alongside them.
“This squad, before the results, was reborn from its own ashes which were also mine as in Italy-Sweden. The feeling is that it can be repeated because post-European Championship very little has changed.
“The relationship created by Mancini with the squad is one of cordiality and respect. I have had many very good coaches in the national team but there have been times that it was a burden for me to go to Coverciano.
“Now it has become a pleasure for everyone to wear an important shirt and be at Coverciano every day. During the European Championship, 50 days without seeing anyone because of COVID was heavy but if it had been needed we would have stayed another 10 days.”
Finally, De Rossi had high praise for Napoli striker Raspadori, who has all the cards to become the new number 9 for Italy.
“Giacomo makes you happy when you watch him. He’s a guy who could have played in the 70s-80s. You’re happy to see guys going down that route like I did in the past.
“With Lippi we were two from the Under-21 side but the others had little space. Mancini has already launched 10 boys who in the right context find space.”
Italy’s two wins over this international break were enough to qualify them for the Final Four of the Nations League, alongside the Netherlands, Croatia and Spain.