Luciano Spalletti was chosen to take over the Azzurri dugout following Roberto Mancini’s controversial exit, and Manuel Locatelli is satisfied at the Scudetto winners’ appointment.
Speaking ahead of the start of Italy’s new era under the former Roma and Napoli tactician, Locatelli expressed his ambition on his return to the first team (via Sky Italia).
“I’m happy to be back here after a year. Spalletti spoke to us about attachment to the shirt; his speech moved us. There is already an idea, an imprint of what he wants. His approach is a 4-3-3, then how much you press or otherwise will be seen from game to game. The European Championship is a dream that we have realized but it is now in the past.”
The Juventus midfielder then shed light on Mancini’s farewell.
“He should be thanked for the Euros. But now we are looking at the future. The missed call-ups? It was my fault at first. I spoke with Mancini, he had ideas and I had others. Something had cracked, but that’s okay. We have to see the changes in a positive way. A great coach has arrived, wearing this shirt must never be a burden.”
Spalletti and his new-look Italy outfit take on North Macedonia first before tackling Ukraine in back-to-back UEFA Euro Qualifier matches next week. Locatelli is expected to start alongside Davide Frattesi and Nicolò Barella in the middle of the field.
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