Alex Meret thanks Roberto Mancini for giving him his first senior Italy start in the 3-1 victory in Albania. ‘I am having a good season with Napoli too and hope to continue like this.’
The Napoli goalkeeper was given a surprise opportunity in tonight’s 3-1 friendly win away to Albania, as Gianluigi Donnarumma had been tipped to play.
He was wrong-footed by the opening Ardian Ismajli header and made several tough saves in the eventual turnaround, decided by Giovanni Di Lorenzo and a Vincenzo Grifo double.
“We had the right approach, wanted to win and it’s a pity we conceded an avoidable goal. We also ran a few too many risks in the second half, even if we won 3-1,” Meret told RAI Sport.
It was only a friendly and not a warm-up for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, as Italy failed to qualify for the tournament after losing the play-offs to North Macedonia.
“We know that we have to work well to prepare for the next targets. That is all we must focus on and doing our best in the games that we have, so we can build something important for the future.”
This was Meret’s third senior cap for Italy, but his first start, having previously come on as a late substitute against Armenia in November 2019 and San Marino in May 2021.
“I am very happy that the coach gave me this opportunity. I am having a good season with Napoli too and hope to continue like this.”
He made some great saves but his defense was horrible, and thank the crossbar for some help
Yeah, I didn’t like Bonucci’s work on the Albanian goal. Having said that, the Albanian made beautiful contact, perfect placement. Gorgeous header.
If Bonucci wasn’t Captain he would have been dropped.
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