The uncapped Emanuele Giaccherini says he’s ready to start against Spain should boss Cesare Prandelli opt for him in a 3-5-2 system.
The Juventus midfielder was a surprise choice in the Coach’s Euro 2012 squad and he’s been tested as a wing-back during training this week.
The uncapped Emanuele Giaccherini says he’s ready to start against Spain should boss Cesare Prandelli opt for him in a 3-5-2 system.
The Juventus midfielder was a surprise choice in the Coach’s Euro 2012 squad and he’s been tested as a wing-back during training this week.
“I’m happy playing wide left, it is a position that I have covered in the past,” he said from Italy’s training base in Poland.
“You have to sacrifice yourself a lot because you have to cover the whole flank, but I have the physical and technical abilities to succeed.
“If we changed to a four-man defence? I don’t know how I would do as a left-back. It is the movement that counts, the application, the desire and the sacrifice.”
The Azzurri may dump their preferred 4-3-1-2 system following Friday’s 3-0 friendly defeat to Russia in Zurich.
“Something has changed on a tactical level for me after that loss, as we have tried more formations,” he added.
“But I can be of use in a 3-5-2 and a 4-3-1-2. We have players who have the ability to change system within a game itself.
“The defeat against Russia can only do us good. First of all because we won’t start the competition as favourites. Secondly, it has lit something inside of us because we want to silence our critics.
“We are just thinking about ourselves now. After the Russia game we told ourselves that we can do well at Euro 2012. The first job is to have confidence in your own team.”
Giaccherini was included in the set-up after helping Juventus win the championship during his first season in Turin.
“I’m in good shape. I arrived on May 26 and I immediately put myself at the disposal of the Coach as I do at Juventus. The tests went well and Prandelli was happy with me.
“I came to the squad to make the final 23. It was a surprise for me to be in the initial 32-man party, but once I was there I gave it my all. I’ve had a good season.
“I hear from Juventus boss Antonio Conte quite regularly. I’ve thanked him for what he has given me and if I am in the squad then it is mainly down to him.”