Marco Verratti believes Italy have “nothing to lose” against Spain on Saturday and that “nothing is impossible” for Paris Saint-Germain after Neymar’s arrival.
Verratti was heavily linked with a move to Barcelona earlier in the summer, but the midfielder ultimately stayed put and appointed Mino Raiola as his agent, while Neymar left the Catalans to become his teammate.
“Summer? It was complicated because I was being talked about, even when I was silent,” he told Corriere della Sera.
Marco Verratti believes Italy have “nothing to lose” against Spain on Saturday and that “nothing is impossible” for Paris Saint-Germain after Neymar’s arrival.
Verratti was heavily linked with a move to Barcelona earlier in the summer, but the midfielder ultimately stayed put and appointed Mino Raiola as his agent, while Neymar left the Catalans to become his teammate.
“Summer? It was complicated because I was being talked about, even when I was silent,” he told Corriere della Sera.
“I’m happy to be part of a big project. There were misunderstandings with PSG, things I didn’t understand.
“But now everything is resolved. I don’t know if I’ll stay for a lifetime, because in football you can never say never, but I’m happy where I am.
“Neymar is a big signing. I didn’t think he’d come. At first, I was sceptical. Dani Alves talked to me about the possibility.
“It wasn’t easy for him to leave Barca and people like Messi and Suarez. Yet Neymar did it: he’s a phenomenon, who has it in his head to take Paris to the pinnacle of European football.
“Now nothing is impossible and we can win the Champions League. Draxler? He’s very good, but he’s likely to only be a bench player.
“Spain my most important game for Italy? I’ve already had several, the games at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil are enough.
“There are no easy games with the national team. Each one is a test and you have to be prepared for them. In the meantime, I’m happy to have Ventura’s confidence. "
“Central midfielder or No 10? Good question. I don’t even know myself. In Paris, I often start as a defensive midfielder and finish behind the forwards.
“There’s more tactical freedom. In the Azzurri, everyone has their duties and must respect them.
“Only a win will do? It’s better like this, focusing on our objective. There are all the prerequisites for a great match. We have nothing to lose.
“Iniesta? He’s a formidable player, who made history, even though I’ve always loved Xavi who, with a simple pass, knew how to change a game.
“Losing 6-1 at Camp Nou? I didn’t sleep for days, I was struggling to figure out what had happened, but now I’m more determined than before.
“My summer? In France, the truth doesn’t seem to matter. Every morning I’d wake up and in the Press, there’d be fake news about me. It was ugly. Luckily, it’s over.
“Changing to Mino Raiola? Donato [Di Campli] was my best friend and he’s still around, but work is something else. I’m sorry, but I had to do it.“