Atalanta’s Guglielmo Stendardo feels that there are fewer Italian players of a high quality and that clubs need to invest and revamp their youth sectors.
The Italy side, under Antoino Conte, won their two recent games over the past week to put themselves on the cusp of reaching Euro 2016 but flattered to deceive at times and struggled to overcome a plucky Malta side, prompting many to ask what the future holds for the Azzurri and Stendardo feels fresh investment is needed to improve the Italian game.
“Right now our system needs major reforms,” Stendardo told Rai’s Il Processo del lunedi.
“It is important to invest in our academies and in the youth sector.”
The 34-year-old also discussed the Azzurri’s tight 1-0 win against Bulgaria and in particular Daniele De Rossi.
“He [De Rossi] has a competitive spirit and he passes this on to his team-mates,” he continued.
“We have been lucky and we must have respect for all those who watch us.”
