Former Italy midfielder and coach Roberto Donadoni believes Luciano Spalletti is ‘the right man’ to lead the Azzurri and touched on the need for experience in the squad.
Spalletti took over as Italy coach this month following Roberto Mancini’s shock resignation. The move was met with much excitement by supporters, who had started to lose enthusiasm for the national team following the failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.
The new Azzurri coach ended a 33-year wait for the Scudetto in Napoli last season, electrifying the team with his attacking 4-3-3 style, something fans hope will be replicated with Italy.
Speaking in the paper edition of Sportweek, Donadoni first gave his thoughts on Italy’s appointment of Spalletti.
“Spalletti is the right man to lead the national team. He has gained the necessary experience to carry out the task in the best way.
“He has participated several times in the European cups with his teams and has coached abroad, so he knows international football and the schools of thought of the countries we will face from time to time.
“And also, because he won the last Scudetto with Napoli, displaying an impressive show of strength.”
Donadoni then discussed Spalletti’s squad list for his first games in charge and why he’s chosen to favour experience over youth.
“Udogie, like Baldanzi, for example, is certainly a strong young player, but in my opinion he still needs a little time to confirm himself at very high levels, such that he can be considered a cornerstone of the national team.
“It seems to me that Spalletti wanted to rely on men of greater experience, who already know the environment and are functional to his game, even if they are not currently starters at their respective clubs, I’m thinking of Frattesi and Spinazzola, to name two.
“It is a choice made in virtue, also, of what I said before, today and Tuesday we have two games that cannot be lost against North Macedonia and Ukraine.”
Italy will face North Macedonia this evening before hosting Ukraine at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 12.