«There is no question of the coach, he was able to give his own mark. At the European Championships we play to win and not to be present ”
SANTA MARGHERITA DI PULA. «Of this national team I like the enthusiasm, the freshness and the temperament. Win another European? Why not, we play to win not to make an appearance ». Gigi Riva thus speaks of Italy which is preparing the approach to the Europeans. First stop in Cagliari, where the Azzurri will play a friendly match against San Marino on Friday. «Good memories – says the former European champion striker in 1968 – I live my old age thinking about Cagliari and the satisfactions I had. And also to the national team ». Riva will not be at the stadium on Friday (“I’ll see the game on TV”). As for the coach only words of praise: “Mancini is not discussed, he was able to give his own mark to the national team and with great success”. Among the Azzurri, a name above all: “Barella is our favorite,” says Riva. Would it be nice if the national team had another Gigi Riva? “It would also be nice for Riva to have the national team.”
Operation Europeans kicks off yesterday. Mancini’s first training session at Forte Village in Santa Margherita di Pula, in view of the debut on 11 June against Turkey. For now it is a retreat-vacation with families then, as team manager Lele Oriali explained at the end of the session, we will enter the Coverciano “bubble” for the countdown before the start of the continental competition. Intermediate stage Friday’s friendly match at Sardegna Arena with San Marino.
The 32 called up (Lazzari unavailable) trained on the grass field about fifty meters from the beach in groups of 5, with the goalkeepers working separately. Then free players. «A choice – Oriali said in the post-training chat with the press – to give players the opportunity to stay 4-5 days with their families and at the same time to understand the conditions of each of them. We are happy, we all find ourselves together. Many things will be granted in these days but when he resumes in Coverciano it will certainly be different ».
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