Ah, leave it to the Azzurri to tour the football pitch in style! Seriously though, you could set up a fashion runway right in the middle of Belgrade’s Marakana stadium and the Italian national team won’t look an inch out of place. Work it, bellissimo! Anyway, Pirlo & Co’ are now back at home, following their 1-1 draw against Serbia last Friday and will resume training to face Northern Ireland in tomorrow’s Euro Qualifier.
Interestingly, coach Cesare Prandelli has been praised for revolutionising the Italian team where he has succeeded at something Del Bosque hasn’t – bridging the tension between players from different clubs. Yes, Prandelli doesn’t care if you’re playing for Milan or Inter – you’re all best friends when it comes to the national team! All for one, one for all etc.
”Everyone says that a national team can’t have the same identity as a club side. But we want to surprise everyone and surprise ourselves with our game. There’s too many compliments, too much enthusiasm. Criticism would be better now … If I have a good point, it’s that of having instilled enthusiasm into the players and given them the conviction that they can play football in this way.” – Prandelli
