President Carlo Tavecchio defends Coach Antonio Conte: 'He picked Italy's best 23 and he thinks of nothing but Euro 2016.
President Carlo Tavecchio defends Coach Antonio Conte: 'He picked Italy's best 23 and he thinks of nothing but Euro 2016.
The Azzurri have been drawn in a tough group in this summer's tournament, and their opening game on Monday 13 will be against potential favourites Belgium.
“It's much better to play Belgium in the opening game,” Tavecchio told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “This way, we'll immediately have a clear idea about who we are.
“Furthermore, we'll also have the opportunity of showing who we are right from the outset. I'm still convinced that everyone, even Belgium, have a healthy worry about facing Italy.
“There are zero risks that stem from the situation,” the president said, in reference to the fact that Conte announced his departure and Giampiero Ventura has already been presented as the new Coach. “Ventura is a gentleman and he has style, courtesy and respect. He'll live his new role on tiptoe until July 18.
“As for Conte, let me tell you this. The other day we had a long exchange and I asked him whether he'd already found a place to stay in London.
“He told me, 'president, I haven't thought about it yet, the only thing I'm thinking about is the Euro Cup'. What grounds do I have to be worried?”
The FIGC head was then asked whether the 23 men selected by Conte really represented Italy's best and if they would play an aggressive style of football.
“If Conte picked them then I can trust him, and I have to. No questions asked.
“In the last two friendlies I saw Italy spend all of its time in the opponents' half of the pitch. We'll be up against tougher adversaries' than Scotland and Finland, sure, but if they play a bit more football, then they'll also concede more space.
“This will change things for our strikers. I have a lot of faith in our poachers, really I do. It's not nice to talk of individuals, but I'll make an exception: Zaza. You'll see what kind of a Euro he's going to play. I'm so sure because I've seen the way he 'devours' the pitch, and it's impressive.”
Finally, Tavecchio discussed the absence of midfield stars Marco Verratti and Claudio Marchisio.
“I often regret their absence. But I strongly believe in the concept of providence in misfortune: even when things go wrong, there's a trace of providence that must be picked up.
“So I'm going to believe that we'll have a great Euro, in the name of [Daniele] De Rossi, Thiago Motta and perhaps [Stefano] Sturaro.”