Di Natale: Optimistic about Italy s World Cup qualifying play-offs, Pio is like Vieri in the past

Before Italy’s match against Israel, former Italy international Di Natale accepted an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport.

A year later, the Italian national team faced Israel again in Udine

"For me, it is a pleasure to see the national team playing in the stadium that is in my heart. I am happy for the Pozzo family and the fans in Udine."

You have been Wearing an Italian jersey and playing in Udine in 2008

"The coach was Lippi at that time, and it was a very exciting memory for me. We defeated Georgia at that time, which was really wonderful. Udine and Empoli are like my home: in Tosca In Na, I completed my football development; in Friuli, I spent twelve unforgettable years of my career and finally hung up my boots there. "

If they win, Donnarumma and his teammates will ensure second place in the group, but the road to qualifying for the World Cup still has to go through the play-offs in March next year.

"We have to win against Israel, we don't even need to think about it. Missing the World Cup for the third time in a row, I don’t even want to think about it, we are Italy! ”

So, are you optimistic about the upcoming play-offs?

"Of course we are optimistic. The Italian national team is very strong and they will prove it on the court."

Head coach Gennaro Gattuso injects new impetus into the team during the national team training

"First of all, I want to say that Spalletti's work deserves recognition because it was not easy when he took over. He is a great coach and has achieved great results throughout his career. Excellent results."

Let's go back to Gattuso

"I was a teammate with him in the national team. He has always been a leader, a hard worker, a serious person, and a great person. He has won two Champions Leagues and a World Cup, but he has always remained humble."

What impression does Gattuso give you as a head coach?

"He has the winning mentality of a world champion. If Buffon and the Football Association have chosen him, there must be a reason. He is fully committed on the sidelines and the team's performance shows that they are following him. He deserves great results and I sincerely wish him all the best."

What is your impression of Pio Esposito from a forward perspective? He started the season very well for Inter Milan and the national team.

"I know him because I am friends with some of the senior people at Spezia Club. I knew his brother Sebastiano before, and I noticed Pio when I went to watch Spezia train. When I saw him last year, I immediately felt that he had strong technical ability. So his goals in Serie B and Saturday's goal against Estonia did not surprise me."

When you talk about Pio, it seems that you are talking about a "chosen son."

"He will be an important player in Italian football for the next ten to fifteen years. He is indeed a 'chosen son' because he also has a champion's mind. When talking to him, you will feel that he is more mature than his actual age: he is humble, diligent in learning, and very polite."

Which past player is Pio more like? Vieri or Toni?

"I think he is more like Vieri, even though Vieri is left-footed and Pio is right-footed."

In the game against Estonia, Pio scored a wonderful goal

"That's right. , but he performed very convincingly throughout the game: he can protect the ball, drive the team forward, and also runs very actively. He is the kind of player who can really play football, which can be seen at a glance."

Keane, Leiter. With Gi, Esposito, Raspadori, Luca, Scamaca, and the future Camada, we are now full of talents on the forward line, but in the past few years we seemed to be worried about the lack of shooters

"Italy has always been able to produce excellent players, and we often have a surplus of talent in various positions. However, cultivating young players is very important, and we must focus on technical training from the youth academy. Talent must be well cultivated."

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