Luciano Spalletti explained why he’s calling up some Italy legends to join his squad ahead of Euro 2024 and had high praise for Gianluca Scamacca following their PlayStation feud.
The Azzurri are desperate to display a resounding response at the upcoming European Championship in Germany after their recent heartbreak in the World Cup qualifying play-offs, which saw them fall short to North Macedonia and miss out on the 2022 edition in Qatar.
Since the arrival of Spalletti back in September, enthusiasm has started to grow again for the Italy national team, with high hopes ahead of Euro 2024. The Azzurri enter has defending champions and a strong campaign is expected by fans.
Spalletti on Italy at Euro 2024
Speaking to Corriere della Sera, Spalletti first discussed what it means to play for your national team.
“It’s the most beautiful and most important thing in the world, the first skin for a footballer. You have to wear it with pride and conviction. With dignity and humanity. In our national team everyone must be on the same level, so that no one feels powerful.
“We all start from past defeats, they are the ones that form us. Victory is beautiful, it makes you cool but if it remains an end in itself, it becomes a vice. From the depression of a defeat, one is reborn.”
He was asked if the Azzurri could compete with the top national teams like England, France and Germany at Euro 2024.
“We have to do it, but we still have to work on it. What we have shown so far is not enough. We have technical and also human qualities and let’s be clear, they matter in the same way.”
Spalletti commented on the recent growth of Scamacca and if their feud regarding his PlayStation habits had anything to do with it.
“The credit goes to Gasperini who coaches him, if in some way I urged him to have a reaction I’m happy, this is my aim. Technology is important but must be contextualized.
“We need to stay connected to each other, even in downtime. It’s the details that always make the difference. Those 10 days where we’ll be together before leaving will be the most important.”
Finally, Spalletti explained why he’s planning to call up a number of Italy legends like Roberto Baggio, Giancarlo Antognoni, Francesco Totti and Alessandro Del Piero ahead of the team’s trip to Germany.
“Add Rivera too, and I’ll do that for me. He is the number 10 of my time. They will give us their experience, they will tell us about their trophies. They will motivate us.”
During the same interview, Spalletti also spoke about the current Serie A campaign and why Carlo Ancelotti deserved to be ‘lucky’ against Bayern Munich in the latest Champions League semifinal.