The Italian spoke to journalists and knows what needs to be done to secure victory.
“The Spaniards started very well and are a great team, but we need to focus on ourselves. We have everything it takes to beat them.” Giacomo Raspadori, speaking at the press conference in Iserlohn ahead of the Italy-Spain match in the Euro, outlined the path to a positive result in Thursday’s game: “The biggest danger from Spain is their great ability to attack when they win the ball and, when they lose it, they try to catch us off guard. What we noticed is the intensity they showed against Croatia, their running off the ball. We need to match that level; we need to pay attention to running without the ball.”
The Italian forward does not feel underestimated at this moment: “Not at all, I’m part of a very strong group of players competing in a European Championship with the national team. It would be disrespectful to the other players to think otherwise. It’s true that I’ve lacked consistency recently, but you should never give up so you can be ready.”
Raspadori also spoke about the coach who guided him at Napoli: “Spalletti is still the same. The time available compared to a club is shorter, and we have to be good at absorbing his ideas as much as possible to have an identity.”
The forward also shared his personal goals: “I am an ambitious man and want to create as much space as possible for myself. At 24, I no longer consider myself a young footballer, but I am working to create more consistency for myself.”
For the Nazionale striker, Italy does not need a prolific goalscorer: “It’s not a fundamental requirement, but in certain matches, it can be useful. In an organized game, it’s also possible to have a forward who moves out and creates spaces.”