Former defender Andrea Barzagli spoke to Sky Sport on the sidelines of the Manlio Selis Tournament held in Porto Cervo, Sardinia. He highlighted the significance of the event: `This tournament provides Sardinian and Italian teams with the opportunity to compete against teams from other nations. These are experiences that foster cultural exchange. We`ve heard from others organising charitable initiatives doing great work. This showcases the strength not just of football, but of sport in general.`
Asked about his view on the current Scudetto race, Barzagli commented: `It`s exciting for us watching from home and incredibly intense for the teams involved. Navigating the final week under this kind of pressure is far from simple. This tension applies equally to the battles for Champions League spots and against relegation. Napoli, especially after those crucial final five minutes yesterday, appears to possess that extra edge. I can only imagine the feeling for fans supporting one of the competing teams…`
On how the role of a defender is changing, he noted: `Yes, it has certainly changed. To be a top defender now, you need to be capable of everything – that includes building play from the back as well as defending. For me, the primary focus remains defending, with other skills added on. Certain rules continue to cause confusion and make things difficult, particularly regarding the use of arms. It`s a fundamental aspect but very challenging to manage correctly inside the penalty area. It`s even hard to train effectively for those specific situations. There`s definitely more scrutiny on it now compared to when I was playing and we relied more on experience.`
Finally, offering his thoughts on Luciano Spalletti and the national team: `Spalletti was smart to grasp the negative atmosphere after the Euros; taking over midway through a campaign isn`t easy. Italy is a country that lives and breathes football, generating immense pressure. Spalletti has done an excellent job restarting and building a core group for the national team, bringing in interesting young players. Results help growth. We`ve seen an Italy side rediscover the desire to wear the shirt and sing the anthem. We have the quality to perform well.`