West Ham United defender Angelo Ogbonna admitted he was ‘embittered’ by being left out of the Italy squad for Euro 2020. ‘I think there was little meritocracy’.
The Azzurri CT Roberto Mancini overlooked the Premier League defender when he picked his 26 men to participate in the European Championship this summer.
“I must say I was embittered,” Ogbonna told Sky Sport 24. “I think there was little meritocracy, but the coach must have had his reasons for making certain choices.
“Playing in the Premier League didn’t penalise me, the two months out, maybe yes.”
Ogbonna helped West Ham finish sixth in the Premier League 2020-21 and felt the year in London was ‘positive’ for him personally, as he played 28 League games and contributed three goals.
“It was a positive year for me. We started with the target to reach safety,” Ogbonna continued. “Then, point by point, we managed to grab something that’s important for the fans and the club.”
But the former Juventus centre-back, who has turned 33 after six years in England, said he cheers on the Azzurri during Euro 2020.
“I’m happy with the path the national team is on,” he said. “We have having a positive tournament with a different approach to the games.
“A good game, another way of seeing football. It was something we have seen for a long time.”
His former West Ham teammate Marko Arnautovic has been linked with a move to Bologna in recent weeks, and Ogbonna praised the Austrian striker.
“Marko is a very talented player who demonstrated it especially during his years at West Ham, where he showed all his qualities,” the defender continued. “He still has so much to give.”
Ogbonna moved to the Premier League in 2015 and said he’s not missing Italian football.
“Italy has given me a lot. I can say, however, that I don’t have much nostalgia,” Ogbonna admitted. “I think I’m in one of the best leagues, where the pace is high, we run more, and there’s a lot of speed.”
The question of intensity is often discussed between Serie A and other leagues and Ogbonna explained: “Perhaps the quality of the players is higher, so it compensates for the lack of tactics.
“In Italy the tactics prevail. There’s more strength in the positioning.
“In England and Germany, there’s no fear of facing the big teams. It’s a way to prove ones worth. The teams take on the giants. Then you can read the game differently based on the moments, but it’s the quality of the players that compensates for the lack of tactics.”
Romelu Lukaku of Inter and Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus continue to battle for the leading goalscorer title also in the European Championship.
“Ronaldo continues to have great numbers, even if he’s more static compared to the past,” Ogbonna said. “Lukaku is an overwhelming physical power, the years with [Antonio] Conte has helped him find his dimension.
“Who would I prefer to mark? Neither.”