Marco Verratti says he 'worked hard' to come back from his injury for the Azzurri, but warns Italy-France was deceptive.
The 23-year-old came on for the last 25 minutes in Thursday night's international friendly against Les Bleus, making for a very welcome return.
Having been out with a groin infection for the better part of the past season, Italy's most prestigious young footballer had to skip Euro 2016, but he claims that's all behind him.
Marco Verratti says he 'worked hard' to come back from his injury for the Azzurri, but warns Italy-France was deceptive.
The 23-year-old came on for the last 25 minutes in Thursday night's international friendly against Les Bleus, making for a very welcome return.
Having been out with a groin infection for the better part of the past season, Italy's most prestigious young footballer had to skip Euro 2016, but he claims that's all behind him.
“I'm feeling good now,” he said in his Press conference ahead of Monday's World Cup qualifier against Israel. “I worked hard to come back, now what I need is to play some games.
“With [Coach Giampiero] Ventura we've been working on my position on the pitch. I find myself at ease when playing alongside Thiago Motta, it feels like I've been playing with him my whole life.
“It's true that our World Cup qualification group is tough, but we have the quality that is necessary to make it out of there.”
Ventura's new Italy did not exactly impress in their first outing, as France beat them by 3-1.
“We had very little time to prepare Italy-France, so it's early to pass judgment. The French have many qualities and they're taking full advantage of the generational turnover.
“We troubled them, but they were superior in the individual episodes.
“My future? I'm happy with Paris Saint-Germain, and I hope to stay with them for a long time. But if one day I should leave them, I'd like to return to Italy.”