Italy’s national team can achieve greatness if they bring their best game, head coach Luciano Spalletti expressed on Wednesday, as the squad prepares for a pivotal Nations League clash against Belgium. Italy leads Group Two after victories in both of last month’s matches, with Belgium and France close behind on three points each, and Israel currently at the bottom without a point. Spalletti emphasized that the match against Belgium on Thursday is critical for Italy’s progress in the competition and announced that AS Roma’s Lorenzo Pellegrini would feature in the starting lineup.
Injury and illness have caused some absences, with Inter Milan’s Nicolo out injured and Liverpool’s Federico Chiesa sidelined due to illness. Spalletti, however, introduced Monza forward Daniel Maldini to the lineup, highlighting him as a missing piece for the team. Maldini, the son of Italian legend Paolo Maldini and grandson of Cesare, carries a rich family legacy in Italian football. Spalletti noted that Maldini’s addition could bring much-needed depth and versatility to the team as they seek to assert their strengths on the field.
Italy’s recent struggles have included a disappointing exit from Euro 2024 in the round of 16 and consecutive World Cup qualification failures, casting a shadow over a nation with four World Cup titles to its name. Spalletti expressed the team’s strong commitment to earning a place in the 2026 World Cup, recognizing the tournament’s historic importance to Italy while cautioning against letting this goal become an overwhelming obsession. The team is focused on rebuilding and showcasing a competitive edge that can live up to Italy's proud football tradition.
Ahead of the match against Belgium, the Italian football federation announced a special ceremony at the Stadio Olimpico to honor Salvatore Schillaci, a standout player in the 1990 World Cup who recently passed away. The tribute will celebrate Schillaci’s contributions to Italian football and acknowledge his enduring impact on fans and the sport.
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