There are four games are left to play during this European qualifying campaign, the next coming at home against Malta: “Our national team”, Conte went on to say, “has to be supported by everyone, I hope that the fans in Florence will give us great support: It will be crucial to achieve these six points, it would allow to better prepare for June. Malta are a team that have grown a lot in the past few years, they defend with eight men, they are a tough opponent for every team.”
The journey towards the tournament in France resumes with the usual problems: “Italian players aren’t playing much in Serie A? I will follow our league and those who play very closely. It is the same group as last year, but obviously the players who don’t play a lot risk losing their place in the squad. Changes? They are starting to be realised, you need to allow time to see the subsequent benefits. Anyway, we have to work hard with the players available now and try to get the best out of them.”
Conte didn’t just speak about football today. Italy’s head coach also sent a special message to the Italian basketball national team who are about to start their adventure at the European Championship: “I talked to President Petrucci and I’ve known coach Pianigiani for a long time. I wish our team the best of luck, I’m confident they’ll do well.” From basketball to motorcycling, Conte also talked about Valentino Rossi, who won the Silverstone GP yesterday: “He’s immortal, a real winner. He achieved something extraordinary yesterday. Where would I line him up if he’d be a football player? On the wing, he could score some goals.”
Conte concluded by replying to Prandelli: “He said that our national team doesn’t have a future? He had four great years as Azzurri coach and then he encountered the problems that surround the national team. However, we now have to focus and work with what we have at our disposal and make the most of it. Us coaches are like tailors – we have to create the outfit with whatever material we have, and this material is great. The fact that our bigger clubs have started investing large sums again compared to the previous seasons means that there is the will to take Italian football back to the highest levels. I hope they’ll prove it on the pitch in the European competitions as well.”
The Azzurri held a training session this afternoon without Sebastian Giovinco, who has withdrawn from the squad . The Toronto FC player suffered an injury during Saturdays’ MLS match against Montreal, ruling him out for the upcoming European qualifiers against Malta and Bulgaria. Two training sessions are scheduled for tomorrow.
*Schedule (all times CEST) Tuesday, 1st September 2015
10:00 Training session at Coverciano’s Federal Centre (closed to the press)
16:30 Introduction of the Italy’s national teams’ new Premium Sponsor Lidl Italia, followed by a press conference with players        
18:00 Training session at Coverciano’s Federal Centre (open to the press for the first 20’) Wednesday, 2nd September
10:00  Training session at Coverciano’s Federal Centre (closed to the press)
17:45  Training session at Coverciano’s Federal Centre (open to the press for the first 15’)
19:30  Introduction of the new Puma Away shirt followed by press conference with Head coach and one player at the Franchi stadium. Malta’s schedule:
16:30 Press conference (head coach and players) at the Franchi stadium’s press-room.
17:00 Training session at the Franchi stadium (open to the press for the first 15’). Thursday, 3rd September
20:45 European Qualifier ITALY vs. MALTA (Artemio Franchi stadium)
Referee: Ivan Kruzliak (SVK)   
After the game press conference and head back to the Federal Centre in Coverciano. Friday, 4th September
17:00  Training session at Coverciano’s Federal Centre (closed to the press) Saturday, 5th September
10:00  Training session at Coverciano’s Federal Centre (closed to the press)
16:00  Travel by plane to Palermo
18:30  Training session at Renzo Barbera stadium (open to the press for the first 15’)
Press conference after training session(coach and one player) Bulgaria’s schedule:
20:00 Press conference (Head coach and one player)
20:30 Training session at the R. Barbera stadium (open to the press for the first 15’) Sunday, 6th September
20:45 European Qualifier ITALY vs. BULGARIA (Renzo Barbera stadium)
Press conference after the game ]]>