Emanuele Giaccherini is glad to be working with Antonio Conte again, is committed to Sunderland and noted Mario Balotelli has “a few defects.”
Conte was famously furious that Juve decided to sell him to Sunderland last year.
Emanuele Giaccherini is glad to be working with Antonio Conte again, is committed to Sunderland and noted Mario Balotelli has “a few defects.”
Conte was famously furious that Juve decided to sell him to Sunderland last year.
“Of course the fact Conte thinks so highly of me is a responsibility,” said Giaccherini in his Press conference.
“The game against Holland on Thursday was the one that meant the most to me since I went into the Nazionale. As long as the Coach gives me the opportunity to play, I will always be happy and at his disposal.
“Finding space at Juventus is not easy. I had players in front of me like Pogba and Marchisio. I expected Conte’s call to a certain degree, because I hadn’t played very much for Sunderland so far this season.
“I will admit when Conte was announced as the Coach of the Italy squad, I thought I’d have a better chance.
“I don’t know if Conte’s right when he says I’d be more respected if I were foreign. I know young Italian players aren’t taken into consideration in Serie A and they should rely more on the youth academies.”
Giaccherini was dropped from the Italy side for the World Cup in Brazil.
“I wish I could’ve been there. Am I one of the young or older players? I’ve been here for two years, so I feel a part of both camps. I’m in the middle,” smiled the 29-year-old.
Although he has struggled for playing time, Giaccherini insists he does not “regret moving to England. It didn’t go great last season, but in my view it wasn’t so bad either. I played 25 games and scored five goals. I’m sure this year it’ll be better.
“I did not receive calls from Italian clubs this summer. I have a contract with Sunderland until 2017 and I’m happy where I am.”
Giaccherini isn’t the only Italy international in the Premier League, although Conte did not call up Liverpool striker Balotelli.
“That decision was down to the Coach. Mario is a great player who can be of use to the Nazionale in future, even though he has a few defects. There’s nothing to say he won’t be here next time.”
He is expected to start against Norway in Tuesday’s Euro 2016 qualifier.
“We mustn’t base this clash on physicality, but rather dynamism and pace. That is the only way we’ll be able to put in a good performance.”