Alessandro Florenzi believes Italy ‘sent a signal’ of rebirth with their Nations League draw against Germany. ‘Some young players paid for nerves, others were like little veterans!’
The Milan full-back was the captain in this 1-1 draw, because he had more senior caps than anyone else in the starting XI. Did he feel extra responsibility with the armband on?
“You feel responsibility every time you pull on this shirt,” assured Florenzi on RAI Sport.
“We had to send a signal that we were starting afresh and I think we did that. Everyone gave something more to honour this jersey.”
There were 10 changes to the starting XI that lost 3-0 to Argentina in the Finalissima at Wembley Stadium earlier this week, keeping only goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Roberto Mancini gave six players their senior Italy debut this evening, including Davide Frattesi of Sassuolo from the start, while 18-year-old Willy Gnonto came off the bench and within five minutes provided the assist for Lorenzo Pellegrini’s goal.
It was cancelled out three minutes later by Joshua Kimmich for the final 1-1 result at the Stadio Dall’Ara in Bologna.
“There were many young players compared to Wembley, some of them paid a price for the nerves of their debut, others behaved like a little veteran!
“We need to start again with Italy fuelled by the hunger of these young lads.”
Italy and Germany have one point each in their Nations League group, but Hungary are top after a 1-0 victory over England.