Empoli’s” data-scaytid=”1″>Empoli’s Daniele Rugani is still struggling to believe that he is been called up by Antonio Conte ahead of the games with Croatia and Albania.
The 20-year-old defender had already spent some time in Coverciano with the senior Italy side before matches against Azerbaijan and Malta.
Empoli’s Daniele Rugani is still struggling to believe that he is been called up by Antonio Conte ahead of the games with Croatia and Albania.
The 20-year-old defender had already spent some time in Coverciano with the senior Italy side before matches against Azerbaijan and Malta.
However, he was then re-called by Under-21 Coach Luigi Di Biagio to take part in the European Championship qualifying play-off with Slovakia, before this month's return to the Azzurri for November's fixtures.
Whilst today receiving the encouragement of Giorgio Chiellini, the Empoli defender is still finding it difficult to come to terms with his surroundings.
“I’m really struggling to believe I’m actually here,” Rugani has considered today.
“Personally I was imagining a different season. I am honoured to be here, I’m living for the moment and for me this is a unique opportunity to grow.
“To be here with so many great players can only help me [to develop]. I hope to be the future of this national team, but now I don’t have to think about it.
“Conte treats me like all the other players, and that makes me feel part of the group. He is a great Coach and I think that the three-man defence is a good innovation – it is more offensive and I can adapt to it without too many problems.”
Rugani also considered his current club situation, on loan at the Stadio Carlo Castellini for the season, but in line for a return to Juventus next summer.
“Unfortunately in Italy there are problems for young players, which I fortunately never had at Empoli.
“It’s a great environment for me, because there is no pressure and I can develop safely.
“Juventus? The attention of a team so important as them cannot fail to please me, but currently I am focused on Empoli and on the national team.”