Italy coach Conte: “Nothing less than an extraordinary effort will suffice.”
by Sean Sedacca
It seems that just about every journalist in Italy has their own theory about why Italy has been so surprisingly strong thus far in Euro 2016.
Most of them center around something particular or unorthodox coach Antonio Conte is doing, but one factual tidbit of information has just come out that probably sheds more light on it than anything written or blogged since Italy beat Spain: just before the start of every match, a single player from the team takes it upon himself to deliver a short motivational speech. The player isn’t pre-selected by the coach or the squad, and a different player speaks before each game.
It’s certainly nothing revolutionary, but give further insight into the way Conte runs his ship. Judging by his behavior on the sidelines during matches, one would be forgiven for imagining him as a strict authoritarian and dictator, controlling and scrutinizing every single detail. While Conte certainly demands respect and discipline, it looks as though he has also allowed the team to govern themselves to a surprising extent. What Conte doesn’t do, Buffon, Bonucci, Barzagli, Chiellini or any number of other players will do in his place. The atmosphere is one of mutual respect and support. The team is working incredibly hard not out of fear, but out of devotion to one another and to their country.
But Germany looms ahead. An old foe that has never managed to figure Italy out in a major tournament, the Germans are still the reigning world champions and an highly formidable team. Conte has said that nothing less than an extraordinary effort will suffice.
When asked about the health of Daniele De Rossi, the only player presenting a question mark for today’s starting lineup, he said that De Rossi is feeling OK, but OK isn’t good enough against Germany. He needs every player “giving 120%,” and this means that Stefano Sturaro will be starting in his place. (Thiago Motta is suspended for the match, although his yellow card against Spain actually drew a cheer from the Italian fans, letting you know how they feel about his presence on the pitch.)
The only question remaining is where exactly Sturaro will play. Is he going to take up De Rossi’s spot just in front of the three defenders, or will that task shift to Lazio’s Marco Parolo, meaning Sturaro would push up and play opposite Giaccherini. Parolo is slightly better with the ball at his feet, but Conte might be hesitant to break up the pairing of Ghiacherini and Parolo that was really the key to the victory over Spain. Both of them put in an incredibly amount of work on both sides of the ball, compensating for the lack of dangerous wing play in Candreva’s absence, and doggedly defending to the extent that their Spanish counterparts looks flat out lazy by comparison.
That’s not to say that Italy can do without another strong match from Buffon, Chiellini and Bonucci in the back, or that Pelle and Eder can cease to show the surprisingly good form they have demonstrated in previous matches. Eder appears to be a completely different player to the one that struggled so much at Inter in the second half of the season, while Pelle has proven to posses a tactile knowledge and finishing touch superior to alternates Zaza and Immobile.
All of them will have to dish out Conte’s request 120% in order for Italy to have a chance. If the Azzurri maintain the form they showed against Spain, they can certainly defeat this German team that is strong but not infallible. And with another new leader poised to emerge from the ranks and arouse the team’s spirits just before the starting whistle, there is a very good chance we will see exactly that.
Preview: Germany face Italy, still seeking first ever competitive win
