Takeaways from Spalletti’s first Italy press conference: Jorginho absence explained, Buffon’s role, Mancini ignored

Luciano Spalletti has held his first press conference as Italy’s coach explaining, among other things, why he didn’t call up the likes of Jorginho and Marco Verratti and highlighting the importance of Gianluigi Buffon in his staff, while FIGC President Gabriele Gravina didn’t even mention Roberto Mancini.

The 64-year-old was truly moved when he arrived at Coverciano’s press room alongside FIGC President Gravina. His staff members, including Gigi Buffon – Italy’s new delegation chief – followed the press conference in the first rows. The legendary keeper sat close to UEFA Chief of Football Zvonimir Boban.

Spalletti often mentioned Buffon during his press conference. The 2006 Italy World Cup winner is seen as the man who must convey the sense of belonging to players coming in and explain the right steps to take on and off the pitch to be worthy of a call-up.

The coach immediately clarified that his lawyers are working on a clause he had in his Napoli contract saying that he hopes he and his former club will find a solution that satisfies both parties. Then, his voice broke twice. First, when he recalled his time at the Stadio Maradona, ending with a long-awaited Serie A title and then when he spoke about his memories of the 1970 World Cup. He said his mum sewed a giant Italy flag to celebrate a legendary 4-3 win over Germany. “I hope I can bring that same flag and that same enthusiasm to today’s kids,” said the Certaldo-born coach who was 11 when Gianni Rivera and Gigi Riva’s Azzurri beat the Germans at the Estadio Azteca in the World Cup semis.

After an understandable emotional start, the good old Spalletti showed up explaining his first decisions as Italy’s boss and why he did or didn’t call certain players for his first two games against North Macedonia and Ukraine.

For example, we learned that Jorginho, Verratti, Moise Kean and Gianluca Scamacca were not called up because they hadn’t gotten enough playing time with their clubs in the opening stages of the season. However, Spalletti’s explanation came with a warning to all players, not just these four. The Mister stressed that “commitment and behaviour” are key to his choices. “That’s why I call players, not because of their names.”

There was another warning for players who aspire to play for the Azzurri: “Players must be happy to wear this shirt. In a world where everything can be reached easily, it seems easy to have access to everything. The national team shirt will be something different.”

This, perhaps, can be read as a change of strategy from his predecessor Mancini who had often called almost unknown young players to let them train with big names at Coverciano and gain the experience they could not get with their clubs. Udinese‘s Simone Pafundi is an example of this. Spalletti may not do the same in the future although the ex-Napoli boss praised Mancini for launching many young players during his time in charge of La Nazionale and, of course, for winning the Euros in 2021.

That was the only time he mentioned his predecessor, while Gravina, who had briefly spoken to introduce Spalletti, did never mention the ex-Italy boss who controversially stepped down in August, accepting an offer from Saudi Arabia only two weeks later. Gravina said he was left “embittered” and “disappointed” but never mentioned Mancini directly.

One of the most enjoyable things about Spalletti’s press conference is that he spoke about football and what he wants to do on the pitch. First of all, he was very clear about the system. He will play with a four-man defence, starting with a 4-3-3 which can become 4-2-3-1 with the addition of an attacking midfielder. He admitted that many Italian centre-backs play in a three-man defence with their clubs although “some principles are the same.” He insisted that he wants to “press high” even if sometimes he’ll need his players to track back and defend behind the ball.

The starting deep-lying playmaker will have probably an impact on Italy’s approach under Spalletti. ‘Lucio’ mentioned Manuel Locatelli and Bryan Cristante highlighting how the Roma midfielder can squeeze between the two central defenders and provide more cover.

He said that he’s happy with the three centre-forwards he has called – Ciro Immobile, Mateo Retegui and Giacomo Raspadori – who all have “different characteristics” but added that players who usually cover different roles can also be deployed up front. Looking at Italy’s striker’s list for the next two games against North Macedonia and Ukraine, I have a feeling that Wilfried Gnonto, Federico Chiesa and Nicolò Zaniolo could all be tried as centre-forwards, a role they have already covered at a club level sometimes.

On Monday we’ll know more about Spalletti’s ideas and tactical decisions as his first training session at Coverciano will be open to the media after Buffon’s press conference. Surely, the introduction was satisfying. Spalletti looked super motivated and eager to entertain and give satisfaction to disappointed Italian fans who want to go to the Euros next summer as the defending champions and finally manage to see the Azzurri in their first World Cup since 2014.

Twitter: @lorebetto