Luciano Spalletti wants ‘modern’ approach from Italy against Venezuela

Italy coach Luciano Spalletti wants his side to embrace a more “modern” approach as he tries to spring some surprises ahead of Euro 2024.

The Azzurri face Venezuela in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, before travelling to New Jersey to take on Ecuador, and Spalletti has promised a more progressive style from the defending European champions.

He is set to field a back three and trial two attacking players behind a central striker and has made it clear he is looking for a more fluid dynamic than his side have become used to.

“We need to do something modern,” he declared on the eve of the Venezuela meeting.

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“There is an openness now to being footballers who know how to interpret multiple systems within the same match.

“Before we had little time and we only focused on one system. Even when we lost, I said we would stay in that system, but now there is more time to do something different.

“We will pay attention to the behaviours in these two friendlies. As Italy we need to create something new, something strong, and we always take something away from tests like these.”

Italy were visited at their training camp by tennis player and compatriot Jannik Sinner, who is in town competing in the Miami Open, and Spalletti believes the 22-year-old should act as a inspiration for the whole squad.

“He has already been an example for a long time, since he started, since he was a kid,” said Spalletti.

“He showed us that to be on the top of the world, one must become top even in the other hours when he is not playing sport. He has the correct mentality and it shows. He knows his personality and his character very well, he knows where he wants to go.”

Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma knows Sinner well and is ready to take his lead when it comes to forging the kind of edge Italy need to get back to their best.

“He is a dear friend of mine, we talk a lot, he is an example for everyone for everything he is doing for the country,” he said.

“May he also be an example for us, for our mentality, and desire to win. These two friendlies will be able to tell us a lot, because we face two tough teams, two South American teams, broadening our experience.”

Udinese’s Lorenzo Lucca is set to get a debut opportunity in the coming days, having been promoted ahead of the out-of-favour Ciro Immobile, but may have to wait for his turn.

Genoa’s Mateo Retegui is fancied to start, with Lorenzo Pellegrini and Federico Chiesa in support.