Every word Italy coach Spalletti said on Germany, Azzurri injuries and Kean | OneFootball

Luciano Spalletti admits that Andrea Cambiaso and Mattia Zaccagni may only be available for Italy’s second-leg Nations League game against Germany and feels Moise Kean is well suited for a ‘physically intense’ match.

Italy coach Luciano Spalletti hold a pre-match press conference on the eve of a Nations League quarter-final first-leg against Germany on Wednesday. Here’s the full transcript of his presser via TMW.

Remembering legendary Italian commentator Bruno Pizzul.

“With his voice, he was able to bring everyone at home into the game, making them feel like they were on the field, experiencing the match in a much more direct way, much closer than the actual distance. He had an incredible ability to read the game—thanks to his voice, it felt like we were watching a stronger team. He gave volume to the action; he was the dribbler, the game-changer of sports commentators in his time. When he raised his voice, you knew something was about to happen, something that could decide the match. His loss is one we will remember for the rest of our lives.”

Retegui’s condition

“We sent him back home because he would not recover, but we hope he returns for the next Atalanta game. The exact problem is not well defined, but he has [muscle] fatigue, and, as we’ve always done, we decided to release him. At the moment, I’ll call nobody because I want to see how the first game goes. I may need a centre forward or a support striker. We’ll see also based on Zaccagni and Cambiaso’s recovery. If I have to call a centre forward, I’ll call Piccoli. If it’s a support striker, I’ll call Bandanzi.”

The battle between Ricci and Rovella?

“They’re a bit different, but both know how to play football. They’re both excellent at managing the team and controlling the game. Ricci, especially in his recent roles, plays more as a mezzala—he makes more forward runs. Rovella is more of a holding midfielder; when he draws the line on the pitch and sees someone trying to cross it, he gets fire in his eyes. He becomes incredibly tenacious. I won’t tell you who’s playing—you’d better wait for training. I have a lot of doubts because I have 23 great players. But at the same time, that gives me peace of mind, because even if one doesn’t play, I know the other will deliver exactly what we need. It’s not just about how we see things from the field—we have to understand the perspective of those watching from the outside, too.”

Italy-Germany has a special charm.

“That’s true. Because of past encounters, because both are historically strong teams, and because of the types of results we’ve seen over the years, the rivalry has only grown in prestige. I’m convinced it will be a great match, both teams will play to win, going head-to-head. Of course, if we struggle to manage certain moments and are constantly chasing the game, it will be very difficult to come out with a positive result. So, we’ll play our match, and they’ll bring the quality they have. At certain moments, we’ll have to figure out how to handle that quality. And we want to win—so we’ll see how it plays out.”

Will Cambiaso and Zaccagni only be available for the second match?

“There’s that risk.”

We’ve entered the year of World Cup qualification—do you sense any tension in the squad? The group stage could depend on the match against Germany…

“First of all, thank you for reminding us—it’s important. What I notice is that the players believe in their qualities and are determined to put them into practice. They reflect on what they need to do, and that’s how you grow. If you keep working consistently toward improvement, you will improve. I see these qualities in our players—I see them thinking, eager to grow.”

How have you found Gatti, mentally and physically?

“I’m looking at both matches, and within these two games, everyone could play. We’ll evaluate things day by day, and it’s possible that between the first and second match, I’ll make different choices. The games are so close together that recovery will be difficult for some players. Gatti has well-defined qualities—he’s a very strong defender in a structured defence. Now he’s adding new elements to his game, improving his ability to push forward and contribute to the attack, which wasn’t his strongest trait. We called him up because we see his progress and his ability to adapt to new tasks.”

What do you think of Julian Nagelsmann?

“He’s a very strong coach. When you watch his teams, it’s immediately clear that he’s a modern coach, someone who works directly on the pitch. You can tell that the team follows his instructions. For example, they only take one kickoff per match, yet you can identify seven or eight different ways they execute it—that’s a sign that the coach has drilled them on specific patterns. The same applies to goal kicks—they switch things up. In deep build-up, they defend and build with four; in midfield build-up, they shift to three, with a midfielder dropping in while the fullbacks push up. He plays a very attacking style that matches his players’ qualities. He’s part of the evolution of German football, which started about ten years ago. They used to focus more on physicality and strength, but after Guardiola arrived, they incorporated more technical skill, possession play, and short passing. Now, Germany is a complete team in terms of style, and Nagelsmann is fully integrated into this modern approach. He’s a top coach.”

Havertz and Wirtz are missing—key players. What do you expect from Germany without them?

“For a team like Germany, there are no real absences. Who’s missing? If one winger doesn’t play, another one will, and they have four or five top-class options. They’re all fast, great at dribbling, and excellent in one-on-one situations. Their midfield is stacked with talent. They’re not missing anyone, just as we aren’t missing anyone. They will still be a team full of quality and will play their game, regardless of a couple of absences.”

Italy haven’t beaten Germany in 13 years. Do you owe something to the Italian fans in Germany?

“That’s true. We’ve also had four draws in the last six meetings, but we have a duty to be the dream that all Italians have when they watch the national team. That means winning matches and being a strong team. We must carry our history with us—the good and the bad—and fully understand what Italians expect when they watch us play.”

You said Retegui might recover in time for Atalanta.

“There’s still a small issue, but nothing major. It’s a matter of days.”

FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 13: Moise Kean of ACF Fiorentina reacts after a goal during the UEFA Conference League 2024/25 Round of 16 Second Leg match between ACF Fiorentina and Panathinaikos FC at Stadio Artemio Franchi on March 13, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

In the past, you’ve said that Retegui needs more service, while Kean can create chances on his own. Which type of striker is more useful for these two games?

“I expect this match to be physically intense, with constant back-and-forth action. In that kind of game, Kean is better suited. Retegui can handle it, but from what I’ve seen, he’s more effective in the penalty area. On the other hand, Kean starts from deeper positions—sometimes even from midfield—and doesn’t need anyone to create for him. He can take on defenders and still get a shot on goal.”

Six matches after the Euros, we’ve seen a strong Italy. Is the team no longer at risk of struggling?

“I don’t think we’re at risk unless something unexpected happens. Of course, certain moments in matches can completely change the game’s flow, but from what I’ve seen, we’re not in danger.”

Cambiaso didn’t seem to have a serious issue—could he push through and play?

“The fact that he’s here, working every day, shows that he wants to be part of this team. We see him as a player who loves what he does. When you deeply love something, you find the courage to push through. He cares about the national team and is willing to suffer a little for his teammates.”

Could Buongiorno play in a squad with a strong Napoli presence?

“Over the two matches, it’s very possible. In fact, he’ll almost certainly play in both games.”

Calafiori said the turning point was the match against France. Is this game against Germany similar?

“In terms of strength, in terms of what we can gain from this match, and in terms of the learning opportunities it provides, yes, there are similarities. But every game has its own history, shaped by the opponents, the team dynamic, and the emotions involved.”

Nagelsmann’s system is aggressive but leaves space. Will that affect your tactical approach?

“That’s always the case in football. If you want to achieve something big, you need to be willing to suffer a bit. There will be moments when they dominate, and we can’t let them play in open space too often. They have speed, which could be a problem. One of the most important skills in football is knowing how to manage different phases of the game. Sometimes, you press aggressively all over the pitch, and other times, you drop back, regroup, and defend as a unit. If we always play one way, they’ll say we’re playing ‘Italian-style football’ again. There will be different moments, and we need to stay connected in how we respond.”