Luciano Spalletti maintains ‘there are no favourites’ in tomorrow’s EURO 2024 showdown between Italy and Ukraine, but it would be ‘wrong’ to make Jorginho take a penalty right now.
It kicks off on neutral turf in Leverkusen on Monday at 19.45 GMT.
The Azzurri need only a point to be sure of qualification for the European Championships in Germany next summer, as it would give them a superior head-to-head record thanks to the 2-1 win at San Siro in September.
“The table says that Ukraine have as many points as Italy, so there are no favourites tomorrow,” insisted the coach in his press conference.
“Ukraine prepared in the best possible way, I expect them to be attacking, as Serhiy Rebrov has a positive approach to the game. We need to keep focused, but I think our way of taking the opponents on is correct. One has to have a balance, naturally, as Ukraine are very dangerous on the counter-attack, so preventative marking will be crucial.
“That is something we got wrong against North Macedonia and we must not do it again. When the time comes to press, we press, when it’s time to keep organised, we will be organised, even if it means leaving them a little bit more of the pitch at certain moments. I feel as time goes on, they will be forced to push forward more.”
Spalletti only took over the job on September 1, after EURO 2020 winner Roberto Mancini suddenly handed in his resignation.
“This is one of those days that can become your greatest achievement, regret or remorse. A game like this can put pressure on, certainly, but these are above all huge opportunities and nothing can limit or frenzied desire to defend the European title,” explained Spalletti.
“This is who we are and it is our duty to go and defend that title. Many of our current players know how hard they fought to win that title, so we will be ready.
“Many times in my life, I have faced things that frightened me, but then that proved exciting. The real question is: Can we do it? And the answer is yes. So we’ll see what we’re made of.”
The Nazionale kept only two clean sheets in 2023, both of them against Malta, but the new CT is not concerned.
“This is part of our approach. It is more difficult to score goals at international level than it is to protect the defence, so both are important.”
There are a few question marks over the starting XI tomorrow, as while Giovanni Di Lorenzo returns from suspension and Davide Frattesi steps in for Giacomo Bonaventura, there is a choice between Giacomo Raspadori and Gianluca Scamacca upfront.
“I will tell you that there are going to be four or five changes, but that’s all I’m telling you…”
A more pressing question is over the penalties, as Jorginho failed yet again with North Macedonia, meaning he has now missed four in a row including shoot-outs for Italy.
While the coach had initially assured that the next kick would go once more to the Arsenal midfielder, he has seemingly changed his tune.
“We have other players who can take penalties. It would be wrong right now to force Jorginho back onto the spot. It would put undue pressure on and put him in a difficult situation asking him to take a penalty now.”