Italy CT Luciano Spalletti feels the Azzurri must improve quality and intensity, but he remains optimistic because he knows his players well.
Italy were held to a 0-0 draw by Vincenzo Montella’s Turkey in an international friendly at the Stadio Dall’Ara on Tuesday night.
It wasn’t exactly an exciting game and Italy had only a few chances to score. The best one was for Bryan Cristante who hit the woodwork with a header from a corner kick action right before the break.
“I expected a game like this. We worked a lot physically so I expected a bit of tiredness,” Spalletti said at a press conference, as quoted by TMW.
“However, I expected more quality in the opponents’ half, without that, it all becomes more difficult. We let them keep the ball too many times and we were stretched too many times. If you keep the ball more, you make shorter runs and it’s all easier. It emerged that we were not fully fit also because we didn’t manage the ball too well.”
Italy will make their Euro 2024 debut on June 15 against Albania. Is Spalletti worried about the latest Azzurri performance?
“It’s not a game that makes me optimistic or pessimistic,” he replied.
“What makes me optimistic is the fact that I know my players well. Clearly, we have to do more than what we did tonight. This match is useful for further growth. We tried to make certain things. We lost the ball too easily, and these things have an impact. We must improve in quality and intensity even if the intensity is a consequence of the game.”
Riccardo Orsolini received a warm welcome from his Bologna fans, but he and the other wingers and strikers were unimpressive at the Dall’Ara.
“We can do more in the final third and on the wings. One-on-one situations can make a difference,” admitted Spalletti.
“We can even decide to leave the ball to opponents, but when we have it, we must manage it better. Orsolini was committed, but he can surely do more.”
Italy will play another friendly at Coverciano today, and Spalletti will name the final 26-man squad for the Euros on June 6.