Gaetano Castrovilli has big ambitions after being called up to the Italy squad, as he is now targeting a place in the Euro 2020 roster. "It's every child's dream."
Castrovilli has earned a place in the Azzurri through his performances for Fiorentina this term, after taking the step from Serie B side Cremonese this summer. The call up to the national team is another milestone in his career, and he is looking ahead for more to come.
Gaetano Castrovilli has big ambitions after being called up to the Italy squad, as he is now targeting a place in the Euro 2020 roster. "It's every child's dream."
Castrovilli has earned a place in the Azzurri through his performances for Fiorentina this term, after taking the step from Serie B side Cremonese this summer. The call up to the national team is another milestone in his career, and he is looking ahead for more to come.
“I hope to be part of the squad, and to make it difficult for the coach not to pick me,” he said at a press conference. “I need to help myself through my performances with my club.
“It’s every child's dream to play for your country. I don’t think of it as me arriving, but more like the start of something, believing in what I might achieve.”
He is enjoying the part so far, even if he had to go through the “embarrassing” initiation of singing a song to integrate with the other teammates.
“It’s a carefree group that’s cheerful and inspiring,” he said. “You’ve seen it too; they play and have fun.
“There’s a fantastic group here, and there’s a ritual that the new players need to sing in front of everyone. It’s embarrassing, but it serves a purpose to integrate you in the group."
Castrovilli's artistic talents lie elsewhere, as he studied dance before choosing to pursue his career in football.
“I still like to dance; I try to find some groups when I have some spare time. Or at home, I turn on some videos and I learn the steps.”
He insists he will be using his knowledge from the previous experiences with the Azzurrini squads.
“It helped me a lot, from every point of view. It helps you to grow, also as a human being.”
Castrovilli is now hoping to get his first minutes against Bosnia-Herzegovina in the penultimate match in Group J of the Euro 2020 qualifiers this Friday. Then, they will prepare to welcome Armenia at Renzo Barbera in Palermo.