Empoli midfielder Mirko Valdifiori is still buzzing after his Italy debut against England. “Wayne Rooney marked me!”
The 28-year-old had never represented the Azzurri even at youth level, but was thrown in from the start in last night’s 1-1 friendly draw.
“I was marked by Wayne Rooney! Roy Hodgson evidently told him to look out for me, which is remarkable,” said Valdifiori on his return to the Empoli camp.
Empoli midfielder Mirko Valdifiori is still buzzing after his Italy debut against England. “Wayne Rooney marked me!”
The 28-year-old had never represented the Azzurri even at youth level, but was thrown in from the start in last night’s 1-1 friendly draw.
“I was marked by Wayne Rooney! Roy Hodgson evidently told him to look out for me, which is remarkable,” said Valdifiori on his return to the Empoli camp.
“Everything was incredible, right from singing the anthem with 30,000 people, arm in arm with my teammates. The sense of belonging to your nation in that moment really stays with you and is difficult to put into words.
“I barely slept last night, as I had so much adrenaline running through my veins. It was a magnificent night and I got to experience my Italy debut after so many years of chasing this dream.
“Gigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini and Leo Bonucci reassured me before the game, as they have so much international experience and helped me stay cool-headed.”
Coach Antonio Conte also singled out Valdifiori as the “perfect example” of players in smaller clubs who can make it into the Nazionale.
“I was obviously pleased with his comments. The Coach showed his faith just by picking me to start a difficult game against England in such an important stadium.
“What inspires someone like me is the phrase Conte used when he first took over the Italy side: ‘I only look at what happens on the field.’ Well, that’s where I do my talking.”
Valdifiori’s progress is also down to the tactics of Empoli boss Maurizio Sarri, whose newly-promoted team earned many compliments for their style of football.
“Sarri was happy and complimented me after the debut. He said he saw the same player he has been training all these years.
“I had the advantage that what Conte asked of me was more or less what I’ve been doing at Empoli under Sarri, which means going straight to set up the strikers with first-time vertical passes and press opponents.”