Sassuolo midfielder Manuel Locatelli said his first goal for Italy was the ‘best experience in my career so far’.
The Azzurri midfielder started the 4-0 win over Czech Republic and is expected to play an important role for Roberto Mancini in Euro 2020 this summer.
The former Inter coach gave Locatelli his debut with the national team on September 2020 and the 23-year-old has impressed enough to earn 10 caps over the last year.
Locatelli spoke about his experience from the major tournaments at youth level and said it’s ‘an incredible emotion’ to now be called up by the senior side.
“Taking such big steps is something exciting,” Locatelli told the FIGC’s official website. “You see it a little closer when you are in the Under-21 squad, but it’s always difficult to get to play in a European Championship with the senior team.
“It’s an incredible emotion. I have lived many unforgettable experiences: I played with [Gigio] Donnarumma, [Nicolò] Barella, [Patrick] Cutrone, who is a great friend of mine.
“The biggest disappointment was when we lost the Final against France in the Euro Under-19 Championship.
“We were a really united group and we had a great experience. [Kylian] Mbappé stopped us.”
Locatelli scored his first goal with the Azzurri in a 2-0 win over Bulgaria in the World Cup qualifiers earlier this year.
“It’s the best experience of my career so far,” the former Milan player concluded.