Italy national team boss Antonio Conte is confident that the country will be proud of its football team in the future and hopes to follow in the footsteps of Italy’s current women’s volleyball team.
The 45-year-old left his position at the helm of Juventus in order to help rebuild the Azzurri after their embarrassing performance at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and he believes that young talents like Marco Verratti possess the quality needed to become integral parts of a successful squad as long as they remain patient.
Conte spoke to Rai Sport on Friday ahead of Italy’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Azerbaijan about the future of the national team and the example set by the women’s volleyball team, while also commenting on the situation regarding Mario Balotelli’s absence from the Italy line up.
“The women’s volleyball team have begun this journey a long time ago and I would say they are more ahead of us, but our journey has started well and I’m convinced that sooner or later the Italian people will be proud of this national team,” said the coach.
“With two star players like Andrea Pirlo and Daniele De Rossi in the team, a younger player like Verratti must have patience, but he can be the man of both the present and the future of this national side.
“Balotelli? His past experience in England doesn’t count, playing at Liverpool is a completely different reality. Sooner or later he will unlock.
“Does he regret leaving the Serie A? You’d have to ask him.”
