This Friday, goalkeeper and captain Gianluigi Donnarumma commented on his expectation of seeking a second consecutive European Championship title with Italy. The national team led by coach Luciano Spalletti debuts in the competition this Saturday, at 4pm (Brasília time), against Albania, at Signal Iduna Park, in Dortmund, Germany.
“When you play in a competition like this, the pressure comes naturally and the spirit will be the same as three years ago: let’s try to relive those magical nights. The team and I are ready. I try to advise my teammates, but the group is there and he is prepared. Jorginho, Barella and I will give the others the advice they need to go to the end”, he reported at a press conference.
Donnarumma was an essential part of the Italian team’s Euro 2021 title. In addition to standing out during the matches, he also saved two penalties in the decision against England (3-2) after a 1-1 draw in normal time.
#Azzurri tiki-taka rondos! 🌀 😵💫#EURO2024 #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/nN54HHFpL6
— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) June 12, 2024
At the press conference, the archer also praised Albania, highlighted the importance of the opening match and spoke about the quality of Group B, which still includes Spain and Croatia.
“This is the most treacherous challenge, because we are in a difficult group and we cannot make a mistake in our debut. They are fast, they play well and tomorrow we will not be able to play with 79-80%, we will have to be 100%. We thought of a match at a time and we will have to win to take the first step in the right place. Albania have very strong players individually, and we will have to be careful not to expose ourselves, as they know how to attack on the counterattack. Winning tomorrow is mandatory and. would put us in a different position. Not scoring points, on the other hand, would make us more apprehensive. Even though our goal is to score points in every game.”
The other game in the group, between Spain and Croatia, will also be played this Saturday, but at 1 pm (Brasília time), at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, Germany.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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