After being called up to the Italy squad to face Croatia and Portugal, Sampdoria defender Lorenzo De Silvestri believes this recognition marks the end of a strong season with the Blucerchiati.
Sampdoria finished seventh in Serie A under now-departed coach Sinisa Mihajlovic, with De Silvestri in good form as the first choice right-back to earn another call up to the Azzurri, having progressed through the international youth teams and made his debut in 2010.
“I’m happy to be here,” the 27-year-old told the press. “It is the culmination of my season with Sampdoria and I want to honour the national team jersey.
“The national team squad is a family and [Antonio] Conte delivers many tactics; he is a technician who is always maintaining the squad.”
After making his first Azzurri start in 2010 against the Faroe Islands, De Silvestri believes he returns a better player five years on.
“When I played in 2010 I was a different player and a different man, I have now found maturity and Mihajlovic helped me develop as a defensive player.”
