Back to the drawing board
Astori tragedy weighs on Italy as rebuilding process starts
ROME: Already at a historic low point following a failed World Cup qualification, Italy’s rebuilding effort begins this week with the team in mourning following the death of defender Davide Astori.
Interim coach Luigi Di Biagio will guide the team in friendlies against Argentina on Friday and England four days later.
“Something is missing. I can feel it even though I didn’t know Davide like a lot of the players did,” Biagio said on Monday as the Azzurri opened their training camp at the Coverciano complex in Florence.
Earlier this month, thousands of fans lined up to bid Astori goodbye when his body lied on view in Coverciano.
“There’s something strange,” Di Biagio said.
“But we’ve got to try to normalise things because, otherwise, it all becomes devastating.”
The 31-year-old Astori was found dead in his hotel room two weeks ago after a suspected cardiac arrest before Fiorentina, his club, were to play Udinese.
While Astori played only 14 times for Italy, his presence in the squad was a constant in recent seasons with 58 call ups.
For both friendlies, Italy will wear special shirts honouring Astori.
Astori’s absence will be even
There’s something strange. But we’ve got to try to normalise things because, otherwise, it all becomes devastating. Luigi Di Biagio
more detrimental for the friendlies since Giorgio Chiellini left the squad on Monday with an injured left thigh.
“Giorgio’s injury is a problem that adds on to the absences of (Mattia) Caldara and (Alessio) Romagnoli and to Davide’s tragedy,” Di Biagio said.
“We’ve lost four centrebacks.” West Ham defender Angelo Ogbonna was called up as a replacement for Chiellini, although it could be Juventus centreback Daniele Rugani who partners Leonardo Bonucci.
The defence can also still rely on 40- year- old captain Gianluigi Buffon, who is back in the squad after rethinking his retirement plans announced immediately fol- lowing the playoff loss to Sweden in November.
“Gigi is a monument and he’s here to unite but also to play,” Di Biagio said.
“Whether he plays one or two matches I don’t know.
“Anyhow we have two others here who are ready to take his spot when he ages a bit,” the coach added.
“(Gianluigi) Donnarumma is a great goalkeeper and (Mattia) Perin I coached with the Under-20 team.
“As soon as Gigi is no longer here, those two will compete for the job.”
Di Biagio was promoted from the Under-21 squad last month after Gian Piero Ventura was fired in the wake of the playoff loss.
Antonio Conte, Roberto Mancini and Carlo Ancelotti are being considered for the full-time job, along with Di Biagio.
“I know I have something on the line and I’ll try to put those who are choosing in difficulty,” Di Biagio said.
“But that’s not the priority. We have other types of problems now.”
The failed qualification means Italy won’t play in the World Cup for the first time in six decades.
“Unfortunately you can’t change the past. We’re out of the World Cup and we have to start over,” Di Biagio said.
“We’re not at the level of the best in the world but we’re also not among the worst.
“With a little bit of patience, we can recreate a great squad.”