Immobile, who made his Azzurri debut in a friendly against Spain on 5th March 2014, feels part of a very “cohesive and solid” group where the veterans “maintain the team’s unity and make the debutants feel important, they’re the players to whom everyone looks up.” Immobile has no doubts concerning what Italy has achieved so far: “We’re having a good European qualifying campaign. Our coach holds the group cohesive, we’ve changed many players, but the cohesion has remained the same. We were a bit disappointed after the first match against Croatia in Milan because we could’ve gotten more out of it; we went out onto the pitch more determined last Friday and I believe we deserved more. From a personal point of view, I have not yet decided whether I will stay at Dortmund or I will come back to Italy. It will definitely be a crucial decision because next season ends with the European Championship and I want to play with more consistency in order to be called up.”
Conte and the team reviewed the match against Croatia this morning and they analysed the Azzurri’s mistakes, but also the positives, such as the new formation: “Our coach”, continued Immobile, “has been good at understanding what our squad has to offer. We have a lot of good wingers who are playing very well and the 4-3-3 formation suits their style well. Our team followed all his instructions against Croatia and we played well, even though we did not have much time to practice.”
Immobile also spared a few words for the U21 national team, who will leave tomorrow for Czech Republic to start their adventure at the U21 EUROs: “I want to wish to players and head coach the best of luck. It will be a thrilling adventure, hopefully with plenty of success.”
As mentioned above, Conte is trying to make some changes to Italy’s formation and Franco Vazquez could be one of the new players up front in Geneva. “At the beginning of my career,” explained Vazquez, “I used to play very close to the goal, a role I liked a lot. Manager Iachini then lined me up as forward at Palermo; I would say that It worked out well since I‘m here. I will be always grateful to him.” Vazquez also added: “It’s very important for me to have the chance to train along with such world-class players. I know that my time will come and when it does I will have to be ready.”
Vazquez is a flexible player with very good technical abilities and sees himself playing in different positions: “I tried playing as a right winger in the 4-3-3 formation in practice. I like this role because it allows me to cut in and shoot with my favoured left foot.” After making his debut against England last March, the Cordoba-born striker could win his second cap against Portugal. This possibility makes him and his family enormously proud: “My mother was born in Padua and my whole family, except my grandmother, lives in Veneto. Italy has always meant family to me: Whenever we could, we would come to Italy to visit our relatives, but it was always very expensive. My decision to play for Italy, a national team full of tradition, makes me very proud.”
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