The Italy squad have arrived in London to face England at Wembley on Tuesday night and coach Luciano Spalletti has been talking to the press about the test that awaits his team tomorrow evening.
The Italy CT addressed a number of topics in the Wembley press room, including the role that Gianluca Scamacca could play, the tactics England could deploy and the comparisons to the team that were crowned European Champions at the same ground and against the same opponents just over two years ago.
Among the first questions was an enquiry over who will lead the line for the Azzurri on Tuesday. Spalletti hinted that this could be a huge opportunity for Atalanta striker Scamacca.
“We have done everything to get important answers. The most important thing is that we play free football, football made of fluidity and personality, modern football as it should be done now. But yes, this could also be a game for Scamacca,” he said.
Asked about the team that won the Euro 2020 final two summers ago, Spalletti responded: “Like everyone who loves football, I was there to watch the final. That was a unique story for everybody involved and they deserved it.
“It would be unfair to make comparisons, that final will remain unique. But, we want to be inspired by what happened in that match and maybe make that our identity. We want to confront reality. Reality will tell us what level we are currently at.”
Spalletti was also asked how the team would be best set-up to combat England’s versatile midfield.
He responded: “They are good at mixing it up, from 4-2-3-1 to 4-3-3. The secret to getting a good result is never just one thing, but the amalgamation of all the things you have prepared.
“If we manage to keep the ball more than them, we have a better chance of winning the match. There are those who think differently, who don’t want us to give them space behind or for us to leave the pitch open.
“But from what we see across Europe today, those who control the ball more tend to win more often. This is an idea that I agree with.”
Spalletti ended his press conference by concluding: “Here, you can really evaluate what level you are at, these are the situations that we have to learn to love, that’s what will make the difference.”