Domenico Criscito has looked to clear the air in the wake of Italy-Albania, where his comments were seen to cause controversy.

Criscito, who spent the whole game on the bench, was reported by Il Secolo XIX walking off the pitch muttering: “They don't see me any more.”

Domenico Criscito has looked to clear the air in the wake of Italy-Albania, where his comments were seen to cause controversy.

Criscito, who spent the whole game on the bench, was reported by Il Secolo XIX walking off the pitch muttering: “They don't see me any more.”

This was interpreted as a dig against the higher echelons of the Italian national team and the scant consideration that they give him.

“I'm sorry that some newspapers misunderstood a joke that I was making with my teammates,” Criscito has explained, though, to Tuttomercatoweb today.

“It was just a humorous statement on the fact that I can come to Genoa very infrequently, in spite of the fact that I have strong ties to the city – my parents, my wife's family and many of my friends live here.

“I'm always busy in Russia for the League and the Cups, and the distance is great. In Genoa, people no longer see me.

“Some of my dear ones occasionally complain about this, but my duty comes first.”

On the subject of his ‘duty’, Criscito sounded very positive: “Being called up for the national team is always an honour and a pleasure and I'm very happy that Conte asked me here, after the great disappointment when Prandelli left me home for the World Cup.

“This is the case regardless of whether I'm utilised or not.

“Wearing the shirt of the Azzurri is invariably an emotion, and in football what comes before everything else is always the group.”

Byrob

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