Gravina: ‘Spalletti asked for time’ to make Italy soar again | OneFootball

Federation President Gabriele Gravina warns that while coach Luciano Spalletti ‘asked for time,’ nothing compares to Italy vs. Germany for historic clashes.

The first leg of the Nations League quarter-final is at San Siro on Thursday at 19.45 GMT, while the decider is in Dortmund on Sunday evening.

The winners will go through to the Final Four stage of the competition.

“Italy vs. Germany is the kind of fixture that speaks for itself, it is a coming together of world football excitement,” Gravina told Sky Sport Italia.

“We all remember the ‘Game of the Century’ and the desire to overcome our opponents in this historic clash.”

The Game of the Century was the nickname given to the legendary Italy 4-3 West Germany showdown for the 1970 World Cup semi-final, which went to extra time at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

In more recent years, the Azzurri beat Germany 2-0 in extra time on their way to lifting the 2006 World Cup on German soil.

Gravina trusts Germany game can revitalise Italy

ISERLOHN, GERMANY – JUNE 11: President FIGC Gabriele Gravina ,Ministro degli affari esteri Antonio Tajani, Ambassador to Germany Armando Varricchio and Mayor of Iserlohn Michael Joithe during the opening of Casa Azzurri after a training session at Casa Azzurri on June 11, 2024 in Iserlohn, Germany. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images for FIGC)

“At this particular period of our football evolution, Italy vs. Germany arrives at a very important moment,” continued FIGC chief Gravina.

“We continue to work, Spalletti asked for time, he needs time, but I think that he has identified a shape for the team that is similar to club football and a group of players, even in a particularly reduced set of options.

“There is a great deal of enthusiasm and the desire to make our mark as a team, as well as give joy to our fans, who deserve it.”

The Nazionale finished second in their Nations League group and were therefore second seeds in the draw for the quarter-final, which saw them paired with Germany.