Spalletti: Every word Italy coach said on Jorginho, Zaniolo, Napoli and meeting Totti

Italy coach Luciano Spalletti reveals the injured Manuel Locatelli won’t be available for games against North Macedonia and Ukraine, why he called up Jorginho and confirms he will meet Francesco Totti this week.

The Azzurri coach spoke at a press conference attended by Football Italia at Coverciano on Monday on the first day of Italy’s training retreat.

Italy will face North Macedonia and Ukraine in the final two Euro 2024 qualifying fixtures. They need four points to qualify or even just a victory against the Ukrainians next week.

Spalletti discussed several matters during his meeting with the media, including Ciro Immobile’s omission from the squad, Locatelli’s injury and why Jorginho returned to the squad.

He also spoke about Nicolò Zaniolo and why he was called up despite his involvement in a betting scandal last month.

The Aston Villa attacker did not gamble on football matches, so the federation gave Spalletti the all-clear while Nicolò Fagioli and Sandro Tonali have been banned for several months.

Davide Calabria, Alex Meret and Rafael Toloi had been called up by Spalletti, but haven’t travelled to Coverciano having sustained injuries. The Italy coach hasn’t replaced them yet but he said he will call other players tomorrow.

Here’s every word Spalletti said:

IMMOBILE – “We think he is a valuable player. We are following him with total attention, like all players. We watch games and training sessions. I still haven’t visited Lazio, but we watch all the games. Right now, I think the other three are in better shape, even if he scored a great goal in the Champions League and I told him.”

CRITERIA – “I don’t understand, the only criteria is to win games and pick the best players. Surely, there is something I forget, but I have time so I make thoughtful decisions.”

JORGINHO – “He was not called up the first time because he had never featured for his club. The second time, he had started two games from seven and he had been injured and subbed off. But he always had the desire to be part of this team and this is crucial. I had spoken to him and he expressed his affection for this shirt and this colours. Now he is playing regularly and I think he is getting in shape. He is the Regista who tells the team where to go. He was named Arsenal’s captain. There are positive signals that brought to this decision. He was never excluded from the group.”

LINE-UP – “If we win the first game, it gives an advantage for the second match. So we must focus on the upcoming fixture [against North Macedonia]. I don’t make my assessments thinking about two games. Of course, we’ll make changes, but we take one step at a time.”

PREPARATION – “We prepared a video of the game against England. We told them a correct and sincere analysis of the last match where I didn’t find myself in the dark. I saw many sparks of light in that game. When I analysed the match today, I told my players that usually there’s a tendency to put defeats aside, we tend to cancel them. On the contrary, there are many things we must study about that defeat. We did many things right. Other things not so much. We need clarity on what we must work on and what we must cancel. From today we work on the pitch preparing for the game against North Macedonia. We are convinced they will evaluate and analyse what we said. As I said before, everyone fears facing Italy a little bit, so everyone is motivated. We must be worthy of the history we want to create and the football we want to play.”

ZANIOLO – “When authorities came here [in October] he was disappointed and he kept repeating the same thing. ‘I didn’t’ gamble.’ He was upset, very upset. He kept saying he was clean. Probably not as clean as somebody who has never gambled on something. However, he had nothing to do with that situation [betting on football]. There is nothing. Before calling Zaniolo I spoke to the President and the Federation and there was nothing against this. We don’t want to leave these guys alone, so we keep in touch and we try to be close to them.”

UDOGIE – “He is injured. What’s the second question? He is injured, otherwise, I would have called him. He made some errors in that game [against Chelsea] but he’s proved to be a player with strength.”

INJURIES – “Cambiaso has an ankle problem, Cristante has muscle fatigue, so we must pay attention in the first and second training session. I don’t think it will prevent him from playing the first game. We sent Locatelli home because he’s injured. The doctor will tell you the exact problem. Jorginho has stitches in his head from his last game. I think it was the first time he went for a header in his career. We need him for his feet anyway. I couldn’t wait to call Jorginho because of what he told me the first time we spoke and the messages he sent. He’s always been determined to return. He was the first one to arrive yesterday before dinner, then Raspadori and Di Lorenzo.”

MEETING TOTTI AT BAMBIN GESU’ – “The federation always keeps an eye on these situations. To give strength and a hug in situations that can’t be avoided. When I was Roma coach I had the chance to share some moments of happiness with these kids and now that I can return I am happy. Given that I had to meet Francesco, which I am glad about, it was fair to do this thing together. He’s always been sensitive to these situations regarding kids who need help, so if we can do this together, it’s even more meaningful. I am glad to speak to him again and call him again. He inspired me when I was his coach. As a footballer, he showed me those creative passing lines. Many things that he showed me are still innovative. To me, he was an incredible support for my career and the role I have now.

FLOOD IN TUSCANY – “Tuscany is my region and my blood. I suffer to see many people who already struggle to live this life go through tough times. I thank the federation for giving me the chance to go there, hug them and react even if they have already done it. This is a characteristic of people of great strength like those living in Tuscany.”

CAMBIASO – “Cambiaso is a player who knows football, he knows how to play in different positions. He is a modern player, he feels at ease in all roles, he just needs the ball and the pitch. With a full-back who moves into central midfield, we can build up with 3+2, which is an option in today’s football. There are no static systems. It’s a fluid thing which can be develop depending on opponents. We have to deal with all these things. Cambiaso knows how to play inside the pitch, he can play on both sides of the pitch. He is left-footed but with great quality in the right foot as well.”

SERIE A – “This morning I was telling my players that the two fundamental things are the build-up and the pressure. Distances are also fundamental. Sometimes we think a team defends too deep, but the team block is fundamental. With some teams, it’s ok to suffer sometimes. If a squad defends with their feet inside the box, it’s fundamental that the other players are nearby. Sometimes even Manchester City defend deep, leaving space for the opponents. The team must always stay within 30 meters to help each other defensively and then build up. Strong teams never stretch especially in the best moments of their opponents. It happened to us against England in the second half, but in the first half, we did so well. There are many things in that defeat that we must take with us.”

PLAYING STYLE – “It’s about creating something that everyone enjoys. I can do my work well if everyone is convinced this is the right approach. If not, we can go backwards by 10 meters, but this is the difference between Italian and European football. In terms of duels, we were not as good as them [England]. This desire to be aggressive in every situation should be a normal quality. In some situations, they proved to be more determined to win the ball. Tonight, I must go to my room and say: ‘This training session was nice.’ If I am not surprised by something today, it’s proof that all we are trying to build is wrong.”

CAPTAIN – “The number of appearances is not the only criteria, but the way the captain behaves in the games is more important. The captain is a leader who remains hidden when things go well and comes out when there are difficulties. Often the captain is respected by opponents and referees, that’s what a captain is. He must have many qualities. I confirmed the old captain [against England] because I felt it was the right decision, adding that before the Euros we would discuss it again. I like how Donnarumma behaved in the last Champions League game. He had a hostile reception, but he didn’t react and he showed that he is a serious professional. This is the behaviour I expect from a captain.”

NAPOLI AND GARCIA – “I have nothing to say about Napoli. I expected this question, but I am the national team coach right now. It’s unfair for a coach to make comparisons with the past and each coach must be judged on what he does. I respect Garcia because he’s proved to be a nice and honest person. It was not fair, from the very first moment, to make comparisons with the recent past.”