Daniele De Rossi marks his 100th Italy cap tonight against Croatia, praised Antonio Conte and thinks they can win Euro 2016.
The qualifier is due to kick off at San Siro at 19.45 GMT, although there are still concerns it could be rained off after flash floods in Milan over the weekend.
Daniele De Rossi marks his 100th Italy cap tonight against Croatia, praised Antonio Conte and thinks they can win Euro 2016.
The qualifier is due to kick off at San Siro at 19.45 GMT, although there are still concerns it could be rained off after flash floods in Milan over the weekend.
“We really needed this start with positive results,” De Rossi told uefa.com after three consecutive competitive victories under Conte.
“There’s a new atmosphere in the air, as often happens when you change Coach. We had a bad World Cup and needed to find a style of football, victories and points to give us confidence.
“Conte is a hard worker. You need to put a lot more effort in with him, but that pays off in tactical and athletic terms. He is not someone who says one thing and then does another. That is very important for a player, but also for a man in general.”
Croatia are joint top of their qualifying group, as like Italy they too have a 100 per cent record after three games.
“They are a very strong side. Their World Cup was disappointing too, as they were the favourites after Brazil to qualify, so they will be eager to prove themselves.
“Croatia are doing great things and have players who win the Champions League like Mario Mandzukic or Ivica Olic. Mateo Kovacic is very talented and in my view one of the best midfielders in Serie A at the moment. It is going to be a very difficult match.”
Italy had high hopes after reaching the Euro 2012 Final, but crashed out of the World Cup in the opening round. Does De Rossi think they can win Euro 2016?
“I think so. Italy are always competitive on the European stage. If we started the Euros saying Italy were not competitive, then that would really mean a total disaster during qualifying.
“I believe in this new project that is laying the foundations for something important. It is already in Italy’s nature, but this project can give us an extra push.”
Italy (probable): Buffon; Darmian, Ranocchia, Chiellini; De Sciglio, Candreva, De Rossi, Marchisio, Pasqual; Zaza, Immobile
Italy bench: Sirigu, Perin, Moretti, Rugani, Parolo, Bonaventura, Bertolacci, Soriano, El Shaarawy, Cerci, Pellè, Giovinco
Croatia (probable): Subasic; Srna, Corluka, Vida, Pranjic; Brozovic, Modric; Rakitic, Olic, Perisic; Mandzukic
Croatia bench: Kalinic, Vargic, Vrsaljko, Jedvaj, Lovren, Leovac, Halilovic, Badelj, Kovacic, Sharbini, Cop, Kramaric