Former Italy CT Cesare Prandelli insists results are ‘the most important thing’, and clarifies some earlier comments.
The Azzurri won their two games over the international break, but received some criticism for only beating Malta and Bulgaria 1-0.
“The results are there for the national team, and that’s definitely the most important thing,” Prandelli told 90Minuto.
“The most important thing is to bring home qualification, doing whatever is necessary, and it’s nearly done. They also played at a good level.
Former Italy CT Cesare Prandelli insists results are ‘the most important thing’, and clarifies some earlier comments.
The Azzurri won their two games over the international break, but received some criticism for only beating Malta and Bulgaria 1-0.
“The results are there for the national team, and that’s definitely the most important thing,” Prandelli told 90Minuto.
“The most important thing is to bring home qualification, doing whatever is necessary, and it’s nearly done. They also played at a good level.
“Criticism is a constant, it will always be there, indeed it will increase with the more important matches after the qualifiers.
“The players know that, it won’t intimidate them.”
Prandelli spoke yesterday about bringing young players through in the national team, and insists it was not a criticism of his successor, Antonio Conte.
“My criticism wasn’t directed at the national team, but toward Italian football in general. We don’t have much of a future if we continue like this.
“You just have to look abroad to see the organisation there is in other countries, there’s innovation and planning for the future, and that means investing in youngsters.
“Obviously with these deficiencies the national team suffers, but it’s a consequence, and not a criticism.”