Spalletti keeps Israel guessing on Italy decisions: ‘Delicate match’ | OneFootball

Luciano Spalletti keeps his cards close to his chest for Italy’s line-up against Israel in the Nations League and is still smarting from the Belgium draw. ‘Once incident can throw it all out the window.’

It kicks off at the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine on Monday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).

The Azzurri are top of their Nations League group, albeit now only one point clear of France following the 2-2 draw with Belgium.

They had been leading comfortably 2-0 until the Lorenzo Pellegrini red card, so the Roma midfielder is suspended and replaced in the squad by Nicolò Zaniolo.

“I don’t know exactly what the starting XI will be yet, as this is a very delicate match with many hidden dangers,” said Spalletti in his press conference and to RAI Sport.

“Zaniolo is the most recent arrival, so a start is unlikely, as that would also suggest I was wrong to leave him out of the initial group of 23. I can confirm that Guglielmo Vicario will start.”

Will Juventus midfielder Nicolò Fagioli get a chance and can he co-exist with Torino breakout star Samuele Ricci?

“Fagioli deserves more playing time and he is working hard, but this time I won’t be able to give you too many hints on the line-up,” explained Spalletti.

“He can play with Ricci, I gave him the role in front of the defence because I think it can suit him, but he must also know how to change tempo and direction, shake off man-marking and use the midfield like a trampoline to bounce the ball from one side to another.”

Spalletti keeping Italy options open

Udine is where Spalletti’s coaching career really took off, enjoying a spell here from 2002 to 2005, taking them to sixth, seventh and fourth place in Serie A.

“It’s a wonderful place and I was fortunate to have spent time here in my career, learning a great deal. I would’ve preferred to be here in different circumstances, because football is joy and we’re not seeing a lot of that in this atmosphere.

“Israel are a good team who can play football, so we need to maintain our balance and organisation, as we already saw in the first game.”

When these teams faced off last month on neutral turf in Hungary, it ended 2-1 for Italy with goals from Davide Frattesi and Moise Kean.

“The squad is working hard, sweating for the shirt, sacrificing themselves. The problem we learned from the last game is that in football one incident can throw all the good work out the window, so we must always learn from our mistakes,” continued Spalletti.

“I hope the team can take the game in hand. Israel won’t have the same attitude they showed against us or with France, as at times they sit deep and wait, at others they try to press you.

“It is fundamental that our passing is precise, without giving their defence too many reference points. We’ve got to protect the ball and then keep moving without pause.”

There is a strong security plan around the stadium, including a Red Zone set up 48 hours before kick-off to limit entry.

A group of Italy fans turned their backs during the Israeli national anthem ahead of the game last month in protest at the on-going situation in the Middle East, which has now spread to Lebanon.

“I hope people realise that we need to find a way to achieve peace and solutions,” said Spalletti.

“Currently, there are no decisions made by the organisations, so we carry on with the match and hope to convince more and more people of the need for peace.

“I believe there are many Israelis who do not want war.”

FIGC President Gabriele Gravina also spoke to RAI Sport about the security situation and the controversy around this fixture.

“Italy-Israel is a complicated match, but football is about a shared moment. We all hope that soon there can be peace between all populations.”