Italy legend Gianni Rivera has commended the direction the Azzurri are headed in under Cesare Prandelli.
Italy legend Gianni Rivera has commended the direction the Azzurri are headed in under Cesare Prandelli.
Prandelli's side suffered a crushing 4-0 defeat to Spain in the Euro 2012 Final last Sunday but were widely praised for their performances and pioneering style of play. There has been some speculation that the former Fiorentina Coach will walk away if clubs don't prove to be more compliant with his wishes for mid-season training camps.
Rivera, who won the 1968 European Championships and reached the final of the 1970 World Cup during his time as an Italian international, urged clubs to fall in line with Prandelli’s wishes.
“What Italy achieved is a great result,” the former Milan man declared on Sky Sport Italia.
“Perhaps in the final they were a little scared, but to get to the 'last act' is a great achievement.
“Now we have to follow the line drawn from Prandelli.”
Rivera, famously nicknamed 'Abatino' by the journalist Gianni Brera in his playing days, is a now a Member of the European Parliament.