By Anna Italia
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Italy head coach Antonio Conte ready for the friendly game against Portugal ahead of EURO 2016 qualification. Italy facing Portugal on Tuesday 16 June at the Stade de Geneve in Geneva, Switzerland.
Here are the declarations of Conte during the press conference, “Character and the capability to play attractive football: This is what Italy showed during the game against Croatia in Split. Although tomorrow night in Geneva there will not be any points at stake, the friendly against Portugal is important for the FIFA ranking and to put a successful end to the 2014/15 season. “There is one game left to play and I expect my players to give their all. Commitment, passion, enthusiasm and sacrifice have to be part of Italy’s DNA. The Azzurri shirt has to be a symbol, a great motivation and goal to fight for”.
Antonio Conte has already announced the starting XI for Portugal. While Italy will be deployed in a 4-3-3 tactical formation, Conte will make six changes compared to the recent European Qualifier: Sirigu will substitute Buffon, while De Sciglio, Ranocchia, Bonucci and Darmian will make up the back four. Pirlo will play in midfield alongside Soriano and Bertolacci, while Candreva and El Shaarawy will support Immobile up front. “I will make all possible substitutions,” added Conte. “Sansone, Vazquez and others will surely play a part during the game. All of the new Azzurri have integrated well and I am very happy with their performances in training”.
Conte also commenting on his performance as Italy head coach after after his first year: “It’s been a peculiar year for me, my first with Italy. Coaching the national team means to see players quite rarely. Nevertheless I am very proud of my role, I feel the responsibility and I know I have a commitment towards FIGC President Tavecchio and all of Italy fans. There have been difficult moments, but I have never thought of quitting”.Leonardo Bonucci also took part in the press conference: tomorrow’s game will be his 60th of the season. “Playing against Portugal will help us raise our concentration,” Juventus defender said. “And our head coach will not allow us to be unfocused. I am here to help my coach and Italy, I feel I am mature enough to know that concentration is vital in every single moment of the game.”