Lorenzo Tonelli would “carry the water bottles” to have a “one per cent chance” of going to Euro 2016 with Italy.
The Empoli defender, who will join Napoli this summer, has been called up by CT Antonio Conte for a training camp this week, and is looking to make the squad for France.
“I want to learn something from the players who are used to this,” Tonelli told assembled media in a Press conference at Coverciano.
Lorenzo Tonelli would “carry the water bottles” to have a “one per cent chance” of going to Euro 2016 with Italy.
The Empoli defender, who will join Napoli this summer, has been called up by CT Antonio Conte for a training camp this week, and is looking to make the squad for France.
“I want to learn something from the players who are used to this,” Tonelli told assembled media in a Press conference at Coverciano.
“I’d gladly be a reserve, I’ll even carry the water bottles. We have a big responsibility here, we’re representing our people.
“My chances of going to Euro 2016? I have no idea, I don’t do percentages. If I work hard I’ll give myself a one per cent chance.
“I dreamed of the Azzurri when I was at Settignanese [a local Florentine team]. I wondered if I’d never get here.
“It’s something incredible when I think of the journey I’ve made from a few metres away [Coverciano is also in Florence].”
Tonelli was then asked for his opinion on Conte, and the difference with Napoli’s Maurizio Sarri, with whom the defender worked at Empoli.
“He seems very prepared on a tactical level, there’s a lot of work. There’s a lot to learn. I’m getting used to this high intensity and learning new ways to play.
“For the Sarri I knew, there are differences in the style of defending. Sarri likes the defenders to watch only the ball, Conte prefers that we watch the man.
“They’re both hard-working and open to dialogue.”
There are no Juventus or Milan players in the training squad, as the Coppa Italia is tomorrow, but former Empoli defender Daniele Rugani could also join up with the squad. “We helped each other [at Empoli], because for Sarri there are no individuals, just a team spirit. What I did for him, he did for me.
“He can still improve a lot, he’ll become great.”