BARI The reaction comes the day after the police raid on the Coverciano training camp and the forced removal of Zaniolo and Tonali, who ended up in the football betting investigation. Names that do not close the story, we are only at the beginning. And Luciano Spalletti, in all of this, must prepare two important matches to qualify for the next European Championship. A story similar to the one that affected Lippi’s national team in 2006, before the world championship adventure. Who knows if Lucio will be able to keep the good part of the group away from everything? Meanwhile, the coach appears in front of the Sky and Rai cameras for the usual pre-match exclusives (tomorrow at San Nicola, his national team will play against Malta) before leaving for Bari.
INSIGHTS
Italy, training without Zaniolo and Tonali: relaxed atmosphere and smiles in Coverciano. Zaccagni does not leave for Bari
«It was a difficult night, when you have to bring home results there is always anxiety, but it was a different night, with a lot of bitterness for what happened. The whole team is close to Tonali and Zaniolo, we are very sorry. We will continue to be close to them even after, now they have the lights on them. We must try to help them defend themselves, but it is also right that justice takes its course and, if irregular things have been committed, then it will be right to pay. Usually we love football and in some moments we are destroyed for this sport when an episode like this happens. Gravina’s words have clarified and we all agree on the risk of falling into these temptations, we must strive to find a way to make him understand the pitfalls involved. We couldn’t take those two shocked kids with us. But now we go to play and we remain a strong, very strong team. Now let’s think about playing: we lose two champions, but we remain a very strong team. Zaniolo is extraordinary, he has lost some of the vices he had on the pitch, he always has a knockout blow in his feet. Tonali has strength and continuity, I hope to see them again and train them again as soon as possible. But the others are just as strong. I have infinite potential, we don’t look for alibis, I don’t train alibis. Either I win or I’m at a lower level than Italy deserves. How does Italy get to these matches? We must be happy to wear this shirt, to do our job. It is sad to see that the potential we have is not given to everyone.
We were chosen by luck to have the chance to be tops. In this job and in life. We have all the attention, we can show our values, our intelligence. We, as sports figures, have a duty to recognize what has been given to us. You can make mistakes, but you always have to become better.”
Then, word to the captain, Gigio Donnarumma. «These were difficult hours, we are humanly close to the two boys, who are strong and could have given us a hand. Advice? I haven’t had the chance to speak to them, we’re so sorry. What happened must not affect us, we must go onto the pitch without bringing this situation with us. We are focused on the two matches, which will also be important. Me in Bari? There is a piece of my history there, at San Nicola I made my debut with the national team shirt, there will be a large audience that will give us a hand.”
1970-01-01 00:00:00
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