“Continuity” is what Luciano Spalletti asks of his Italy, who have a full score in the Nations League after the away victories against France and Israel achieved in September after the European failure.
Continuity of results and performances awaiting the matches with Belgium (Thursday in Rome) and again Israel (Monday in Udine) which can increase the advantage over the pursuers in anticipation of the decisive rush in November.
Meanwhile, the coach continues his search for new talents to include in the present and future Italy: from Roma’s Niccolò Pisilli to Milan’s Matteo Gabbia (“Being here is a great responsibility, this shirt must be honored at all times” he told Vivo Azzurro) up to Daniel Maldini, his first time in the senior national team 61 years after his grandfather Cesare and 22 years after his father Paolo.
Sparkles in the ears, terse answers, and a lot of composure in describing the emotion of this first time.
“I’m very proud, it was a great feeling to enter Coverciano and see the photos of my grandfather and dad but now I’m focused on this retreat, I want to do well, I live day by day. Did my father say something to me? He was happy but we didn’t talk much about this call-up which I think came at the right time, at the perfect time because I feel good on the pitch and with my team”.
He admitted that he was also contacted by Venezuela given his mother’s origins: “But I always preferred to wait and make the right choice, I think it was worth it. Do I remember something of what Grandfather Cesare said when talking about the national team? Too many years have passed, he was certainly always close”.
It was not easy for Daniel Maldini to make his way and emerge while carrying the weight of such an important and famous surname in the world of football: “Time helps you understand many things, the opinion of others can be positive or negative, but what matters is to go straight on your own path”. At Monza he became a fixed point (“Palladino helped me believe in my potential and now it’s nice to be working with a coach like Nesta”), at Milan he grew and maybe one day he could return: “Everything is possible but I’m not thinking about it, we’ll see at the end of the season.
Now I only think about doing well even if the coach is right, every now and then during the match I’m absent and so I have to improve this aspect”. Always been an admirer of Kaka and now of Dybala (he makes incredible plays), when asked about his role he replied: “Maybe an attacking midfielder but also a winger or second striker, in attack I’m fine doing everything.
Advice from my father on how to ‘trick’ defenders? Never asked.” Next Friday Daniel Maldini will turn 23, birthday in Coverciano: “A gift? Just being here is. This national team has so much quality, I hope to bring mine and I’m ready to sacrifice myself”.
This afternoon, the first real training session with the group – the coach intends to confirm Italy with 3-5-1-1 and the same ones who won in Paris against Mbappe and co. (the only ballot seems to be between Pellegrini and Raspadori with Maldini ready to come on during the match in front of Dad Paolo announced in the stands at the Olimpico). Tomorrow morning, a new session in the federal technical center, then around 5:30 pm the departure for Rome.
