Emanuele Giaccherini feels Antonio Conte’s Italy is “more of a team, whereas under Cesare Prandelli it was a collection of stars.”
The versatile winger returned to Serie A for Bologna on loan from Sunderland and has rediscovered his form, earning an Azzurri recall.
“I am proud to be here, because wearing the Italy shirt is a wonderful feeling and something every player aspires to,” said the 30-year-old in a Press conference.
Emanuele Giaccherini feels Antonio Conte’s Italy is “more of a team, whereas under Cesare Prandelli it was a collection of stars.”
The versatile winger returned to Serie A for Bologna on loan from Sunderland and has rediscovered his form, earning an Azzurri recall.
“I am proud to be here, because wearing the Italy shirt is a wonderful feeling and something every player aspires to,” said the 30-year-old in a Press conference.
“I found a great group of players who work together with real enthusiasm. Everyone is at the disposal of the Coach.”
How does this squad differ from the one that failed at the 2014 World Cup under Prandelli?
“Here I see a more cohesive group with players who are first and foremost good men. It’s a very united Nazionale. Before there was a collection of stars, but today there’s a group ready to sacrifice itself for the good of the team.”
Curiously, Riccardo Montolivo had also referred to the need for “real men” in the Italy squad during his Press conference this week.
“Conte’s greatest gift is that he works well on several different systems and finds the right balance even by changing during a game,” continued Giaccherini. “He works a great deal on the training ground and leaves nothing to chance.
“I was worried that I’d disappear from the Italy squad after a year out with injury problems, but I always had the hope of another call. It all depended on me and my work.
“I am here now because I believe in a call for Euro 2016. It’s true there’s a lot of competition, but the important thing is to cultivate this dream by giving it my all.
“Conte knows me well thanks to our two years together at Juventus, but nothing can be taken for granted in football. Being here today is an important signal the Coach sent me and now I must prove that I belong here.”