Antonio Conte wants a “faster” Italy against Croatia and is pleased he got to evaluate Mario Balotelli.
The Euro 2016 qualifier kicks off at San Siro at 19.45 GMT, click here for the line-ups.
Antonio Conte wants a “faster” Italy against Croatia and is pleased he got to evaluate Mario Balotelli.
The Euro 2016 qualifier kicks off at San Siro at 19.45 GMT, click here for the line-ups.
“We are organised and a solid squad with hunger and quality. We need to be faster moving the ball around, though,” the Coach told Rai Sport.
The Azzurri are without the injured Marco Verratti, Andrea Pirlo, Angelo Ogbonna, Andrea Barzagli and Balotelli, while Leonardo Bonucci sits out a ban.
Although the Liverpool striker did not get to play, Conte was pleased to finally meet Balotelli on his first call-up.
“I have an idea on what he’s like now, but I will keep what I saw to myself. I think he saw the kind of football and the work ethic that I want.
“Injuries are part of football, Verratti was unlucky. He arrived with a problem and it’s a pity, I told the doctor that next time perhaps it’s better to leave them at home and not call them up in those conditions.”