Alessandro Florenzi admits wearing the captain’s armband for Italy in the stadium where his career almost ended was ‘like coming full circle.’
The PSG full-back had the most caps in the makeshift starting XI that beat Poland in the Nations League on Sunday, so was chosen as the captain.
Jorginho and Domenico Berardi were on target in the 2-0 victory at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio-Emilia, which is also Sassuolo’s home stadium.
Alessandro Florenzi admits wearing the captain’s armband for Italy in the stadium where his career almost ended was ‘like coming full circle.’
The PSG full-back had the most caps in the makeshift starting XI that beat Poland in the Nations League on Sunday, so was chosen as the captain.
Jorginho and Domenico Berardi were on target in the 2-0 victory at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio-Emilia, which is also Sassuolo’s home stadium.
“It was a special night for me, like coming full circle,” Florenzi told RAI Sport.
“In this very stadium four years ago, I thought after that injury I’d never play football again, and yet I walked out here wearing the captain’s armband for Italy.”
Over 20 players either pulled out or could not attend due to injury or COVID, so it was a transformed squad that nonetheless dominated Poland.
Even coach Roberto Mancini was forced to watch from home, as he is self-isolating following a Coronavirus positive test.
“It was a tough match for all of us, but the staff and the players came together during difficult moments,” continued Florenzi.
“There is great trust between us. We have fantastic players who are always ready when called upon and this Italy side deserves a round of applause tonight.”
The Azzurri went top of their Nations League group on nine points, followed by Holland on eight and Poland seven.
Their final match is away to already-relegated Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday.