Christian Vieri released an extensive interview discussing every detail of Italy striker Graziano Pelle: 'He plays for the team and fears no-one.'

Few gave the 31-year-old much credit before the beginning of Euro 2016, but with last-gasp goals against favourites Belgium and Spain, Pelle is now the Azzurri's undiscussed starting striker.

Vieri discussed the player extensively, starting his argument with a list of Italy's finest ever poachers.

Christian Vieri released an extensive interview discussing every detail of Italy striker Graziano Pelle: 'He plays for the team and fears no-one.'

Few gave the 31-year-old much credit before the beginning of Euro 2016, but with last-gasp goals against favourites Belgium and Spain, Pelle is now the Azzurri's undiscussed starting striker.

Vieri discussed the player extensively, starting his argument with a list of Italy's finest ever poachers.

“Gigi Riva holds the first place, then Roberto Boninsegna, and finally Paolino Pulici,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “As for me, I can't judge myself.

“Pelle was exceptional against Spain. He played for the team, he really did. Sometimes those who don't understand very much about football use the term 'generous' for players who only do two or three useful things for the team.

“But Pelle played wholly in service of his team. Thanks to him, all of the departments played well. His work with his back to the goal was fantastic, controlling the ball with his chest and his head, and holding it when he had it in his feet. That's the kind of thing that allowed the defence and the midfield to breathe.

“He also favoured the runs of the midfielders by playing one-twos, sometimes with his head. Eder himself was allowed dash into space.

“Pelle picked up seven long balls out of every eight, and he was always alongside his teammates when they were struggling.

“When you have a guy like that in the team, your defence will never struggle. You can get the ball out of the defence even more quickly because you always have a point of reference up there who is capable of receiving the ball or creating space, all the while opening passing lanes for his comrades. I mean people [who can dash into space] like [Manuele] Giaccherini, [Marco] Parolo, [Antonio] Candreva or [Alessandro] Florenzi, just to be clear.

“Plus he scored twice, in two episodes that were almost identical. He was able to close on his chance, he's big and he's brave. He fears no-one, and these are days when you meet players who are real beasts, so you must know how to command respect.

“Pelle took care of two giants like Sergio Ramos and [Gerard] Pique all on his own. In brief, he exploits his qualities to the utmost. He's not a player for the counter, he must be used exactly the way Conte is using him. Not all great strikers know how to play with their backs to the goal.

“A player like that, who is willing to learn, can be asked to keep on learning all the way until he's 35. I used to be eyed with doubt because of my technical 'roughness', but to the end of my career I always kept expecting more of myself. You can improve at every age, and those who stop can't go anywhere.”

Byandrea

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