Alvaro Odriozola has had several top coaches in his career, including Hansi Flick and Zinedine Zidane but admits that Vincenzo Italiano is the most prepared he’s ever worked with.

Odriozola joined Fiorentina on loan from Real Madrid in the summer and has played 24 games across all competitions this term. The Tuscans do not have an option to make the defender’s move permanent but will likely sit down with Real Madrid to discuss his signing in the next few weeks. The 26-year-old insists that he is happy in Florence, although playing in European competitions next season may have an impact on his future.

“It’s important, but not decisive,” he told La Nazione newspaper.

“When I agreed to join Fiorentina, I knew that they would not play in European competitions, but I must say that it’s not all up to me.

“Real Madrid are the most famous club in the world. Wherever you go, there is always somebody wearing their jersey wherever you go. Last summer I was on holiday on a small island in the Bahamas, but they still recognised me, incredible.

“I feel at home in Florence, this is like a great family. I want to feel important, at a top club or somewhere else and here there is a sense of belonging that gives me goosebumps.”

How about Vincenzo Italiano? The coach has turned Fiorentina’s fortunes around, managing to compete for a European spot this term.

“He is the most prepared coach I’ve ever had,” the defender admitted.

“After five minutes, he already knows how to hurt our opponents. He thinks about football 24/7; I’ve never met a coach like him. We tell each other that his wife must be very patient.”

Odriozola played 25 games at Real Madrid under Zinedine Zidane and 14 under Santiago Solari. He managed just five appearances at Bayern Munich with Hansi Flick on the bench during his loan spell in 2019-20.

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