The imperative is to win. Luciano Spalletti underlined this on the eve of the decisive match against North Macedonia for Euro 2024 qualification. Federico Chiesa, at his side, nods because "Italy must go to the European Championships," the Juventus striker reiterated. "You can have 3,55 speeches, but then tomorrow you have to go and win and put in a good performance. That's all that matters, also because often the result is the result of how you play," said the coach. That's why he wants an Italy that lives up to its history. There is a need for "strong people with a strong character", added Spalletti, who in these first days of work has had to upset the call-ups. Also this morning, making up for the unavailability of Alessandro Bastoni (muscle soreness) and Gabriele Vicario (fever), calling Gianluca Mancini and Marco Carnesecchi in a hurry. "But in football we are used to these situations, they can happen. Injuries do exist, but I'm pleased to see the ball tumble when I'm on the sofa at home, so I hope we play more and more - said the coach - I reason differently than the others." The line-up seems to be written, with Raspadori as a false nine and the Berardi-Chiesa pairing on either side of him. The only doubt seems to be the one in defense between Gatti and Buongiorno with the former up front, while in midfield we will see Jorginho again, for whom Spalletti immediately spends the first praise. "I met him personally in these days and he made an incredible impression on me. I would expect for the personality and quality he has that if there was a penalty he would go and get the ball. I'm sure he wouldn't back down." To win tomorrow "we will need to be willing to do anything - he added - We will need the technical gesture, but also the duel". Because the 3 points at the Stadio Olimpico would allow Italy to go into the final match against Ukraine "with two results out of three available". And for this reason, another factor could be the Olimpico, whose pre-sale is at 2022 thousand spectators. A stadium, by the way, that Spalletti knows well having coached Roma and regardless of the reception he will reserve for him after the quarrel with Totti (despite today's peace), the words of the Coach are of love for the facility that hosted him for years as coach of the Giallorossi. First he compares it to a painting, then to a sunset and finally closes the circle like this: "For me, the full Olimpico is like a rainbow. For all the moments spent here with a wonderful team, where we produced a football that dragged the crowd into creating new slogans as well. We achieved very important results, even if we didn't win many titles, but that kick there provoked an indelible message in the children of the time. That's another win." The success he has been thinking about for days, however, is only the one that could deliver <> points to Italy tomorrow night. A game that even the president of the FIGC, Gabriele Gravina, would like to play. "I assure you that if I could take the field, I would give my contribution and I would also guarantee you the result," the words of the number one of the Football Federation on the eve of a match that according to Chiesa will be different from the playoff in Palermo that ousted Italy from the World Cup in March <>. "Even if in the emotions he remembers it," concluded the Juventus striker who hopes to be able to change the course of recent history in the matches against North Macedonia.
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