Paris Saint-Germain's Marco Verratti talks about his tactical preferences and discusses the youngsters coming up for the Azzurri.
Marco Verratti will be expected to lead the Azzurri in this Thursday's friendly game against France, scheduled for 19:15 UK time.
“Every Coach has his way of interpreting different roles,” he explained to La Gazzetta dello Sport. “Some may require the half-winger to attack spaces in a way that may be new to me, since here at PSG we spent years playing with three midfielders.
Paris Saint-Germain's Marco Verratti talks about his tactical preferences and discusses the youngsters coming up for the Azzurri.
Marco Verratti will be expected to lead the Azzurri in this Thursday's friendly game against France, scheduled for 19:15 UK time.
“Every Coach has his way of interpreting different roles,” he explained to La Gazzetta dello Sport. “Some may require the half-winger to attack spaces in a way that may be new to me, since here at PSG we spent years playing with three midfielders.
“Our job was to manage play, hold the ball, and look for openings on the wings with the full-backs. But with [Unai] Emery we're changing style. He requires less possession, and more aggression on the counter, or when attacking spaces.
“As always I am fully available, because I want to improve and help the team. I'll play where the Coach asks me to.”
Verratti's partner in the midfield, at least for the next year, is likely to be Claudio Marchisio.
“Claudio is a great player and he wants to return even stronger than before, just like I do, after he too had to give up on the Euros because of an injury. We called and consoled each other a little during the Italy games, commenting live on the Euros.”
Ventura has a number of young players he must prepare for Russia 2018, including Gianluigi Donnarumma, Alessio Romagnoli, Daniele Rugani, Federico Bernardeschi, and Andrea Belotti.
“They're all big names. Even here [in France], I get a lot of questions about Donnarumma, and whether he really is only 17-years-old.
“Bernardeschi already played in the Euros and he was one of last year's revelations. And [Ciro] Immobile, after two difficult years, found a more homely atmosphere again and the Coach that best valued him.
“It's always hard to be ready for the national team. Unfortunately, in Italy as soon as a player makes a mistake, he gets bashed by everyone. This doesn't happen abroad.
“Faith is important to develop youngsters and in Italy we have many talented ones. Ventura will make his decisions, after that it's up to us young players to earn and repay his trust.
“Me as a tutor? I just want to return to the pitch and forget the past season.”