Spalletti press conference: Every word Italy coach said on Acerbi, World Cup and UCL Final | OneFootball

Follow Luciano Spalletti’s press conference live as Italy prepare for World Cup qualifying matches against Norway and Moldova.

The Azzurri begin their World Cup qualification journey on June 6 in Oslo against Erling Haaland’s Norway. The second game will be played on June 9 at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia.

Norway have already taken a commanding lead in Italy’s Group I, winning their opening two games.

The Azzurri will make their debut next week after facing Nations League quarter-finals elimination at the hands of Germany in March.

epa11984392 Head coach Luciano Spalletti of Italy gesutres during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal, 2nd leg match between Germany and Italy in Dortmund, Germany, 23 March 2025. EPA-EFE/FRIEDEMANN VOGEL

Football Italia will cover Spalletti’s press conference live from the Azzurri training centre in Coverciano.

Every word Spalletti said about Italy, Inter and the Champions League

The Azzurri boss will predictably speak about upcoming games, as well as Inter’s Champions League Final defeat against PSG last night.

On the other hand, Italy captain Gigio Donnarumma won the Champions League for the first time in his career and will reach Coverciano in the coming hours alongside Inter’s Nicolò Barella, Alessandro Bastoni, Federico Dimarco and Francesco Acerbi.

Every word Spalletti said in his Italy press conference

VERDICT ON INTER – “I still think it’s been an exceptional season because they reached the end of all the competitions, but had to give way to very strong teams like Napoli, PSG, and Milan. I would place more emphasis on Inter’s journey than on the defeats. I believe they managed to achieve things that are extremely difficult to carry through when you’re at that level. I know it well. I am aware of the challenges that exist within. Watching those matches, such as against Barcelona and Bayern, what they did in those Champions League victories was extraordinary.

“Of course, there’s disappointment because several factors come together that are hard to defend against. It’s normal not to be at your best in certain games during such an intense season. What really deserves to be highlighted is the great work they’ve done. They’ve reached the Champions League final twice in three years. That takes a kind of strength that isn’t easily shaken, and they’ve proven themselves to be great players in a great club—even if, unfortunately, they lost.

“It’s in matches of this level that you truly show what kind of person you are and how much strength you have. Right now, naturally, it feels like their world is collapsing, and we’ll use that to rebuild a lot through this upcoming match. If I were in their shoes, I’d feel lucky to have the chance to immediately play for something extraordinary and beautiful, like bringing Italy to the World Cup.”

WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS – “Let’s be clear: in Norway, everything is on the line when it comes to whether or not we’ll qualify for the World Cup. The players and I are fully aware of it—we mentioned this in yesterday’s meeting with Gigi [Buffon] present. We have a duty to fulfil this task that’s been entrusted to us. We need to qualify because it’s absolutely crucial for us.”

DONNARUMMA – “Donnarumma once again showed that he’s the best of all, even last night. Outstanding, magnificent in the saves he made in the Champions League, which we all saw. But also during the league season, he pulled off incredible interventions—at the very limit of what’s possible. We also have others who have won European competitions. It gives us strength to have champions of this calibre, who have lifted trophies and played for a place on the European podium.”

ACERBI – “Acerbi did not respond to the call-up—we acknowledge that and move forward. It’s not a physical issue; he reflected on everything that happened around him. That’s why I called him up. I’ve said several times that I have to pay close attention to what the league presents, especially considering what he has shown during this period.

“He had previously expressed some doubts, and it’s true that we’re reaching the end of the season, out of breath. It hasn’t been easy to make these call-ups.”

MUNICH, GERMANY – MAY 31: Francesco Acerbi of FC Internazionale looks dejected as he walks past the UEFA Champions League trophy after defeat to Paris Saint-Germain during the UEFA Champions League Final 2025 between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Internazionale Milano at Munich Football Arena on May 31, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

MORE ON ACERBI – “I know you want to understand, but I’m focused on talking about those who are here. I had spoken with Acerbi earlier, then there were messages and phone calls.

“Disappointed about last night? I don’t know—I don’t want to think about that. I want to stay focused and do well with what I want to bring onto the pitch. This morning, he messaged me to say he won’t be joining us. I replied, and then we spoke on the phone. There are players, like him, who deserve our attention. For now, he hasn’t been replaced.”

NORWAY –  “This is the best Norway in its history, with both technical and physical qualities, especially evident in their attacking line. They play an aggressive 4-3-3, with Sørloth acting as the central striker, and he has put in some impressive performances.”

TACTICS – “As for us, we have everything we need to play our game. We have all the potential for a great match, and that’s exactly what we intend to put into practice.

“We’ll play with a three-man defence and then build the rest of the team around that because we want to play in numerical balance. We know you possess that attacking potential, with players who excel in one-on-one situations.

“We have our own characteristics and qualities, and we’re confident that our way of playing can lead us to the result we’re aiming for.

“We can make different demands of the wide players. In the middle of the pitch, I believe I have a strong unit at my disposal, which we rely on to control the game and not hand the initiative over to the opponents. There are no particular concerns about the matchup in this game.”

MENTALITY – “We have this tendency—exaggerated sadness and overwhelming joy—in our way of playing. However, there have been many situations where we’ve demonstrated that we believe we’re a strong team, such as in the second half of the game in Germany. It’s true they were somewhat satisfied with the result, but from my point of view, reacting like we did is more difficult than the opposite. It shows we have something in our heads, in our hearts, and in our physical ability. It’s about continuing the work, laying a few more bricks, and bringing out a higher percentage of that overwhelming joy we’re sometimes known for.”

ORSOLINI – “First of all, congratulations to him for winning the Coppa Italia, and to Napoli for winning the league—credit to Inter as well for keeping the title race open until the end. Orsolini can offer the attacking quality we might need, just like Politano. He’s been asked to do more work for the team, while Orsolini has been more refined by Italiano in that role as a finisher. He’s part of the reasoning we’ve had in trying to give the team a more offensive setup.

“I’ve always had him in mind, and when a player sends a clear message by showing what he can do, we take note. As the national team coach, I have to be alert and bring in those who are performing well. I feel sorry for Mandragora and Cristante, who have done well and were certainly considered.”

ATTACK – “It’s well known that scoring goals is something special for a team—it’s what allows you to function and stay in the game. However, if the ball is with the opponents, especially considering what happened yesterday, you can’t make the most of your top players. There are things and insights we need to keep in mind, things we have to pay attention to, and we must choose what we believe is right. In the end, it’s always the result that will tell us whether we made the right choices or not.”

NAPOLI’S SCUDETTO – “I didn’t make any [social media] post, but of course I sent Di Lorenzo a message to congratulate him on what they achieved—something extraordinary, especially considering the difficult moment they were coming from, despite having a strong team. But full credit must also go to Conte and the players for what they showed throughout the entire season. They were a real team from start to finish—consistent performances and a growing understanding of the game, refined over time. The rest is thanks to the greatness of the Neapolitan people. I missed that bus—I cried for two hours watching the parade. All you can say is: well done, really well done.”

ANCELOTTI – “Ancelotti has coached the greatest champions in the world, allowing the best to express themselves at the highest level. He’s the right person to lift up a nation with the kind of flair and talent that is born in that country. Ancelotti is an absolutely right and perfect choice for any national team.”

MOTIVATION – “From my perspective, it becomes simple: the goal is to play and win with the national team. If I can’t do it now, I want to give everything to succeed next time. I expect the same from the players—if they’re not called up, they do everything they can to be called next time.”

ACERBI, AGAIN – “I can’t allow myself to feel any kind of discouragement. We move forward with confidence, making new choices, knowing we have even stronger players available for this national team.”

INTER PLAYERS’ RECOVERY TIME – “We expect to deal with people who have a deep feeling for the Azzurri jersey, and we’re convinced we’ve made very good choices. Sometimes it’s the players themselves who say things that improve our relationship and encourage us to think in this direction.

“As for how they’re arriving physically, they need recovery time—it would be worse to bring them back immediately and throw them straight into a match as important as this one. They’ll see their families. There’s less time, and that’s better—less time for me to overthink or make mistakes.”

RECORD SERIE A SEASON FOR FOREIGN PLAYERS INVOLVED – “When I decided to become the national team coach, I said yes, knowing what the situation was. I shouldn’t have accepted the job if I had only considered the number of players available. I knew what the numbers were and that I would be dealing with these difficulties, but I’ve always said yes. I don’t look for excuses for what’s happening. I need to find solutions.

“I wanted to get a sense of what certain young players are capable of, and we’ll bring in more. If Leoni hadn’t been injured, I would have called him up. I’ve heard great things about him from Pecchia and Chivu. There are many young players on the rise who, in a few years, could be ready for the senior national team.

“I remain confident—that’s just who I am. I accepted the national team job knowing the numbers we have, and we need to find solutions to qualify for the World Cup.”