by Antonio Ricotta
ROMA (ITALPRESS) – You play against Northern Ireland, if everything goes well then you will have to count at the enemy’s house. In Wales or Bosnia at the end is relative, because the real great opponent is pressure. Probably, more than Johansson first (Russia2018) and Trajkovski then (Qatar2022), it was his own performance anxiety to get us out in the last two world shoots. Ventura and Mancini Nationals were, on paper, stronger than rivals (Sweden and Macedonia), as is Rino Gattuso’s Italy. “The thrust of the country must take us to America, even swimming”, the words spoken by President Gravina, not to put further pressure, but to make it clear that the goal cannot be failed for the third time. There is so much at stake, a whole movement beyond generations that still the blues at the World never saw them. Gattuso knows how to hold the pressure, he did it for an entire career reaching the roof of the world. He chose 28 to put in place the best Italy possible, from the point of view of quality, nerves and character.
The Tonali alarm came back, a fundamental element in the chesss of a ct that was his idol and which now sees in him the pillar on which to build the foundations to fly to America. The hope is that it is at best after the slight muscle injury immediately in the Champions League in Barça-Newcastle, also because there are already so many problems. There are not, among others, the injured Di Lorenzo, Verratti, Vergara and Zaccagni: the first a blue senator, the second a champion of Europe that Gattuso was ready to recall, the third a gem exploded in recent months, the fourth one technically and tactically useful player. The plan Verratti jumped, but “Ringhio” had another in his head and it concerns Federico Chiesa. He also champions Europe in 2021, but outside the Euro2024 round. He has a few minutes in his legs, but Gattuso knows he can count on 15-20 minutes of high level. He is so convinced that he preferred it to players who are doing very well like Zaniolo and Bernardeschi, but also to other blues like Orsolini, Berardi and Maldini. In addition to the outside of Liverpool, Giorgio Scalvini and Niccolò Pisilli return in blue, at the first convocations with Gattuso.
None of the three should be titular Thursday in Bergamo against Northern Ireland, but above all the Church and the midfielder of Rome could return useful to the current game. There is also the “new” between the 28 of Gattuso, that is Marco Palestra. The outside of Cagliari is the most beautiful surprise of this championship, can cover several roles, can be the present and future of this National. The ct should play with the 3-5-2 with Captain Donnarumma among the poles (also called Caprile, Carnesecchi and Meret, remains outside Vicar who will have to undergo an intervention for an hernia), then in defense, out Di Lorenzo, from right to left Mancini, Bastoni and Calafiori. In the midfield, there is no doubt about the three medians with Locatelli in direction, Tonali and Barella inside. And if the left band is owned by Federico Dimarco, on the right the options are different with Politano, Spinazzola and the apparent Palestra to play it. In attack, ankle allowing, Moise Kean alongside Retegui, but with Francesco Pio Esposito and Scamacca (house manager in that of Bergamo) to guarantee alternative solutions of weight and quality. There is also Raspadori, not at the best and always man from game in progress. In short, Italy is made, there is to fly in the States, there is to win the pressures and avoid the football drama of the third consecutive failure.
– photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
