With his 35 years already completed, Francesco Acerbi is the veteran of this Italy that is preparing in Coverciano the challenges with Malta and England valid for the European qualifiers. "I feel like an old man but only for my age - said the Inter centre-back - I still feel good mentally and physically, I try to set an example by always questioning myself and giving a hand to my teammates on and off the field. More than with words, we must speak with deeds".
Without Chiellini and with Bonucci currently out of the blue tour, it is therefore up to Acerbi the role of leader of this national team called to improve the classification of the group to access Euro 2024 and therefore to armor the defense that under the new management-Spalletti suffered in September a goal against North Macedonia (the game ended 1-1) and another with Ukraine (game won 2-1).
The goal of the coach for the next two commitments is to lock himself behind and sting in front: numbers in hand the Scudetto with Napoli has conquered him by scoring 77 goals but also conceding just 28, the best defense of the entire Serie A. ''Given that Napoli deserved to win the title, I've been working with Spalletti for four days and he is trying to convey a winning mentality that allows us to always play the game with courage and determination and above all, of course, winning - explained Acerbi -. We must return to being a working team, as we were at the European Championship that we then won. We were a good team but not the favourite, but we all helped each other and gave our best to achieve something unhoped-for. And then we need to rediscover light-heartedness as it was precisely at the European Championship. Now this serenity is there and it is up to us to exploit it in the best way".
Also because wearing the blue shirt is always something special, a privilege defined the defender champion of Europe at Wembley: ''The club does not want us to hurt ourselves and neither do we, but coming to the national team should not be something extra. Being in the national team is an honor and a privilege, we represent an entire nation not just a city, the behavior must be exemplary, here as in the clubs, out of respect for ourselves, our teammates, the staff. The slightest pain can be endured but if one is afraid of getting injured better not to summon him ... When Spalletti dictates behavioral rules, he is right. If I also refer to betting in football? I mean knowing what you want and doing your job in the best way - he added without going into the merits of the case-Fagioli - Everyone must have great goals to give 100% and it has nothing to do with what we are talking about these days. It is not in my competence to judge, we are very serene and focused on the next two races, what happens will be judged by people higher and responsible for dealing with it".
On Tuesday he and his teammates will again be on the scene of Wembley evoking sweet memories. "It will not be a revenge even if our success in the final, in the England stadium, was good for us and less for them - winked Acerbi - for sure we will find them ready for this new challenge but first we must think about the race with Malta. We will have to be very careful and focused to avoid repeating mistakes and bad figures like against Macedonia who closed the way to the World Cup. We do not want to have regrets or relive certain disappointments. This is also why I speak of a workers' team". An Italy that will start with the defense at 4 but also ready to change in the current race as Spalletti made it clear days ago: ''How to play is decided by the coach, he has always started at 4 and for now he is trying the defense in this way. We adapt, we are experienced players and we know what to do, there is no problem playing both three and four."
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