Antonio Conte banished any idea that he was quitting as Italy coach yesterday and said that there was nothing wrong with hard work, in an apparent reply to suggestions he was overworking his players.
Conte was in emotional mood as he returned to the Juventus stadium, where he won three Serie A titles in as many seasons as coach, for an Italy training session ahead of tonight’s friendly against England.
“I know it will not be easy but I am carrying on in my work,” Conte told reporters, who quit Juventus in July.
“Mennea said that to achieve big dreams, one must make great effort,” he added, citing the late Pietro Mennea, the Olympic champion whose 200 metres world record lasted more than 16 years.
Conte was criticised after Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio suffered a knee injury during an Italy training session on Friday.
John Elkann, the head of the holding company which controls FIAT and Juventus, said the Italy coach worked the players too hard during training camps.
Conte was also reported to have received death threats on the internet and some reports said he had considered quitting before Saturday’s 2-2 Euro qualifying draw away to Bulgaria.
“Let us work, we need it. We have not much time, we will do the maximum to qualify, I can promise a great job by all of us,” Conte said.
“Hard work ought to be the norm but it’s an exception,” he added. “I’m told that I work too hard and I don’t know how to respond to that.”
Italy have managed five wins and two draws under Conte, yet the coach has never been far from controversy.
In February, there were also suggestions he could resign after clubs failed to reach an agreement to release their players for a planned training camp.
“We are going through a significant change in generation and we need a little patience,” said Conte, who is faced with a rebuilding job.
“We are trying to build something good and we need to allow players to settle in the national team without being rejected at the first chance.
“It was a strong emotion to go through the gate of the Juventus Stadium, entering the dressing room and going on to the pitch,” he added. “There were three fantastic, extraordinary years, with many indelible and exciting memories.”
Kane to start
Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane will make his first England start tonight against Italy after an instant impact on his debut last week, manager Roy Hodgson said.
“Harry Kane will make full debut and play from the start and Wayne Rooney will captain the team,” Hodgson told reporters.
“It’s nice to see the two of them on the field together from the start. Harry certainly deserves his chance.”
Kane, top scorer in the Premier League with 19 goals, headed England’s fourth goal 80 seconds after replacing Rooney in the 4-0 win over Lithuania on Friday.
Rooney was delighted at the prospect of playing alongside Kane.
“It’s exciting that Harry Kane has done well in the Premier League,” he said.
“It’s fantastic. Hopefully he continues that form with England,” said Rooney, who has scored 47 international goals.
England vs Italy… last 10 results
Nov. 15, 1989 | England vs Italy | 0-0 | International |
July 7, 1990 | Italy vs England | 2-1 | World Cup |
Feb. 12, 1997 | England vs Italy | 0-1 | World Cup |
June 4, 1997 | Italy vs England | 0-2 | Tournoi de France |
Oct. 11, 1997 | Italy vs England | 0-0 | World Cup |
Nov. 15, 2000 | Italy vs England | 1-0 | International |
Mar. 27, 2002 | England vs Italy | 1-2 | International |
June 24, 2012 | England vs Italy | 0-0 (2-4) | Euro Championship |
Aug. 15, 2012 | England vs Italy | 2-1 | International |
June 14, 2014 | England vs Italy | 1-2 | World Cup |