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- Arsenal defender Calafiori: ‘Enjoying my new role – Italy can’t afford to miss another World Cup’
Arsenal defender Calafiori: ‘Enjoying my new role – Italy can’t afford to miss another World Cup’
The weight of Italian football history rests heavily on the shoulders of Riccardo Calafiori, but the Arsenal defender, speaking with the kind of conviction that would make Azzurri legends of yore nod in approval, isn't shying away from the burden. In an exclusive sit-down that felt more like a tactical debrief than a casual chat, Calafiori laid bare the collective psyche of a nation still reeling from the twin humiliations of missing the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups, failures he describes as a deep, lingering 'hurt' that fuels every minute of Gennaro Gattuso's intensely physical training sessions.'Because we’re Italy,' he stated, the words delivered not as a cliché but as a fundamental truth, a non-negotiable standard. 'I just can’t see Italy missing a World Cup.It hurt the last two times we failed, and we’ll do everything possible to make sure it doesn’t happen again. ' This isn't just about qualification; it's a mission of national restoration, a quest to return the four-time world champions to their rightful place on the globe's grandest sporting stage, and Calafiori is emerging as a pivotal figure in this renaissance.At just 23, his rapid ascent from promising talent to linchpin for both club and country is a story of tactical evolution. He openly dissects his own game with an analyst's eye, explaining how his role has been transformed under Gattuso.'In theory I’m a full-back,' he began, a hint of a smile suggesting the label is now comfortably outdated, 'but right now I’m really enjoying myself. When I have freedom, with awareness, I can give my best and help the team.' This 'freedom with awareness' is the key to understanding Gattuso's Italy—a system that demands defensive solidity but encourages intelligent, possession-based building from the back, a style that mirrors Mikel Arteta's philosophy at Arsenal where Calafiori's composure on the ball has drawn praise from across Europe. His versatility, allowing him to slot seamlessly as a centre-back or in wider roles, gives Gattuso a crucial tactical weapon, reminiscent of how a player like Javier Mascherano could redefine a midfield or defence based on the team's needs.The parallels to legends don't stop there; there's a touch of the young Giorgio Chiellini in his tenacity, mixed with the ball-playing elegance of a Leonardo Bonucci, but Calafiori is very much his own man, a modern defender for a modern game. He was notably candid about the squad's development, praising the 'great intensity' of Gattuso's methods—'I have to say I didn’t expect it,' he admitted—while also pinpointing areas for growth with the precision of a seasoned pro.'Compared to the match against Israel, we need to recognise dangerous situations a bit more – and that includes me,' he added, showcasing a level of self-critical analysis that separates good players from the truly great. This journey is about more than one player or one qualifying campaign; it's about an entire footballing culture reclaiming its identity.The failures to qualify were not mere accidents but symptoms of a deeper malaise, a generational transition that stumbled. Now, with a coach whose own playing career was defined by unyielding passion and a new core of players like Calafiori who embody technical quality and fierce pride, the blueprint for recovery is being drawn.Every training session, every qualifier against teams like Estonia, is a step towards exorcising the ghosts of the past. The statistics will show passes completed and tackles won, but the real metric is the restoration of faith.For Calafiori and this new Italy, missing a third consecutive World Cup is simply not an option; it's a line in the sand, a promise to a nation that lives and breathes calcio. The mission is clear, and the Arsenal defender, with his newfound role and old-school spirit, is ready to be at the heart of it.
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