Spalletti: ‘We reacted right after conceding, we have players with desire’

Italy head coach Luciano Spalletti expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance following their 3-1 victory against France in the Nations League opener at Parc des Princes. Despite conceding a goal after just 14 seconds, Spalletti was impressed by the Azzurri’s quick recovery and overall display.

“We reacted immediately, providing strength and composure, then we played the game we wanted to play,” Spalletti said in his post-match interview. He acknowledged that there’s always room for improvement but emphasized the importance of playing as a team, regardless of the initial error.

The coach highlighted the mental aspect of the game, stating, “There’s so much tension that a single situation can drive you to madness. But the things that happen almost always occur in your head: the biggest difficulties need to be resolved within ourselves.”

Spalletti praised the selection of players who regularly feature for their clubs, noting their freshness and correct approach to the game. He also commended the young players in the squad, saying, “We’ve probably found young guys eager to show their level.”

The Italian manager reserved special praise for Sandro Tonali, who returned to the national team after serving a 10-month ban. “He played a magnificent game. We feared he might not last the full 90 minutes, but in the last five, he put in some bursts of speed,” Spalletti remarked, adding, “We’ve rediscovered a very strong player.”