Emanuele Giaccherini is fit to face Germany, backs the 3-4-3 system and tips Roberto Donadoni for the Italy job.
The Azzurri held Spain to a 1-1 draw on Thursday and visit Germany in Munich on Tuesday evening.
Bologna winger Giaccherini is a major doubt to feature in that friendly, as he limped off at the Dacia Arena with a badly bruised foot, but seems to have recovered.
Emanuele Giaccherini is fit to face Germany, backs the 3-4-3 system and tips Roberto Donadoni for the Italy job.
The Azzurri held Spain to a 1-1 draw on Thursday and visit Germany in Munich on Tuesday evening.
Bologna winger Giaccherini is a major doubt to feature in that friendly, as he limped off at the Dacia Arena with a badly bruised foot, but seems to have recovered.
“I was a little scared after the game, as my foot was swollen and that was not a good sign. Fortunately the day after it was better and tests showed nothing major, so I am at the disposal of the squad again from today,” he said in a Press conference.
Does Giaccherini consider himself one of Antonio Conte’s favourite players?
“In this Nazionale nobody is indispensable. We are all important and all the players put themselves at the disposal of the Coach.
“My rapport with the Coach is strong because he wanted me at Juventus and expressed that with great determination. It was important for me to prove that I could belong at Juventus.
“Since taking over the Nazionale job he has always sent me strong signals too.”
One of the main reasons given for Conte leaving the Azzurri is that he wanted to be a Coach and not a ‘selector’ of players.
“Conte loves to be on the training field and see the players every day, so he can continually transmit his ideas,” continued Giaccherini.
“We must first of all be a team. If everyone is ready to work and help each other out, it can make the most of the quality at our disposal.
“We might not have Leo Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, but we have players who can make their characteristics count if we all work together as a team.
“There are around 30 players to choose from, so it’s still too early to say who will go to Euro 2016. Last season I didn’t play very often at Sunderland, but I am a regular at Bologna and that gives me an important sense of consistency on a fitness level.”
Italy impressed with a new 3-4-3 system against Spain, so how did they adapt so quickly?
“We are a team in which all the players quickly grasp what the Coach wants. The system we used against Spain was different to the one the Coach had tried in previous games, but the movements are more or less the same and the positions quite similar.”
Bologna boss Donadoni is one of the prime candidates to replace Conte on the Italy bench next season.
“Donadoni’s future is not something for me to get into, he will make his decision. I can certainly say Donadoni would be the Coach to suit the Nazionale, that is for sure, but the season is still going and it’s not right to discuss this now.”
Donadoni has helped revitalise Giaccherini’s career, so does he want to remain in Serie A after the Sunderland loan expires?
“I have to thank Bologna as they gave me the chance to come back to Italy and play consistently. When I arrived, I promised Bologna that I would always give 100 per cent to reach our objectives.
“If I am here with the Italy squad, it is also thanks to my teammates, to Donadoni and the previous Bologna Coach Delio Rossi.
“As for my future, right now I am very focused on the present. It is important to end the season well, contribute to the Nazionale and Bologna’s objectives, then see if I go to Euro 2016.”