Montolivo: Italy Morale Worries, Calls for Pio Esposito Start in Crucial Playoff
Former Italy midfielder Riccardo Montolivo has voiced apprehension regarding the mental state of Gennaro Gattuso's squad ahead of Tuesday's World Cup playoff final against Bosnia. He urged the players to approach the crucial match with a sense of freedom, rather than being weighed down by anxiety.
Montolivo highlighted Italy's hesitant opening against Northern Ireland as a cautionary indicator.
"I am somewhat worried about the players' morale," he stated.
"The team cannot afford to start as tensely as they did against Northern Ireland; they need to be relaxed. This is the crucial point, especially since we're playing away. The coach will really need to focus on the players' mental approach."
Montolivo: "I'd Advocate for Pio Esposito to Start for Italy"
Regarding potential lineup adjustments, Montolivo endorsed Pio Esposito for a place in the starting XI.
"I'd personally like to see him play from the first minute," he stated. However, he also recognized the importance of impactful substitutes, observing that players introduced from the bench often prove more decisive than those who begin the match.
In the midfield, Montolivo found no compelling reason for personnel changes, offering a defense of Manuel Locatelli despite his initial struggles in the game against Northern Ireland.
"He's having an outstanding season and fully merits his spot in the national squad," Montolivo asserted.
"The other night, he faced some initial difficulties, but that was purely a tactical adjustment, nothing more." He proposed that any necessary alterations should focus on positional tweaks rather than swapping players.
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