FIFA President Gianni Infantino said it is “painful as a lover of football” to miss Italy in the World Cup, but welcomes Mario Balotelli back.
The friendly with Saudi Arabia kicks off in St Gallen at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT), click here for the line-ups and Liveblog.
“It’s painful as an Italian, but also as a lover of football, to think that this Azzurri jersey won’t be there at the World Cup,” Infantino told Rai Sport.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said it is “painful as a lover of football” to miss Italy in the World Cup, but welcomes Mario Balotelli back.
The friendly with Saudi Arabia kicks off in St Gallen at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT), click here for the line-ups and Liveblog.
“It’s painful as an Italian, but also as a lover of football, to think that this Azzurri jersey won’t be there at the World Cup,” Infantino told Rai Sport.
“Italian football has to be at the top in the world. Roma, Juve and Napoli showed they can get great international results too. Perhaps Italian players ought to be used a bit more, but the quality is there and it is a football nation.
“If you look at what Spain and Germany were able to do with their academies, Italy too can roll up their sleeves and work hard to build from youth.”
Tonight is the debut under new Italy Coach Roberto Mancini.
“I wish Mancio all the best, as he was a great player and has shown what he can do as a Coach. He doesn’t have a magic wand, so work has to be done, but he’s got all it takes to make all Italians proud of their Nazionale, including those who are abroad.”
It is also a return for Balotelli for the first time since the 2014 World Cup.
“Balotelli is a player who has already proved what he can do. Welcome back to the Nazionale, hopefully he can keep scoring goals and help lift the Nazionale back where it belongs.”