Italian veteran Giovanni Trapattoni praises Coach Antonio Conte for giving an 'identity' to the Azzurri, whilst admitting his past mistakes.
On the day of his 76th birthday, the tactician behind the national team from 2000 to 2004 offered his opinion on the current CT.
“Conte has done well in assembling a team and achieving his results,” said Trapattoni in an interview with Radio Sportiva.
Italian veteran Giovanni Trapattoni praises Coach Antonio Conte for giving an 'identity' to the Azzurri, whilst admitting his past mistakes.
On the day of his 76th birthday, the tactician behind the national team from 2000 to 2004 offered his opinion on the current CT.
“Conte has done well in assembling a team and achieving his results,” said Trapattoni in an interview with Radio Sportiva.
“That's what matters to instil trust. He is giving an identity to the team's game and we must pay him compliments for that.
“In this Azzurri group there are players of character who know how to take criticism.”
Il Trap also recalled his own tournaments with the national team, including the controversial defeat against South Korea in the 2002 World Cup.
“Aside from the episode with the referee [Byron] Moreno, the national team was a step in my career as a player and as a Coach.
“I made some mistakes, for instance not calling up [striker Roberto] Baggio after an injury.
“These are decisions you make, for the good and for the bad. But you must always look ahead.”
In closing, Trapattoni had the time to consider Juventus' upcoming Champions League clash against Borussia Dortmund and the crisis at Milan.
“Our football always reaped success in these cases and I'm convinced we can pick up some good results.
“Juventus have the structure and the experience to bring home a win against Borussia.
“As for [Milan Coach Filippo] Inzaghi, he has excellent people close to him, like [joint-CEO Adriano] Galliani and [former Coach Arrigo] Sacchi who can give him good advice.
“The main thing is to have some ideas that can return trust to the team.”