In the lead-up to Italy’s final group stage match against Croatia at the European Cup, Pellegriini spoke with UEFA’s official website. Despite the pressure, the team remained solidly behind coach Spalletti, and he personally prepared to face Croatian footballing icon Luka Modrić.
The UEFA interview with the Italian No. 10 was released just two days before the crucial showdown. Pellegriini began by looking ahead: “The atmosphere is different from after the match against Albania. Our performance against Spain and our own shortcomings didn’t reflect Italy’s potential. This game will be tough, but it can serve as a learning experience. Now, our focus shifts to the next fixture. Our goal remains group qualification, and we’ll give everything to achieve that. Spalletti wants us to control the game, which we didn’t manage against Spain. We’ll strive to handle every detail better this time around, playing to our strengths.”
Wearing the historic No. 10 jersey for Italy, Pellegriini acknowledged the weight of expectation: “My objective is to transmit my influence on the pitch to my teammates, which is a different dynamic than at club level. We didn’t perform well against Spain, and that shouldn’t repeat. It’s time for everyone to step up their game,” he said.
In their encounter with Croatia, Pellegriini would face off against the opposing team’s talismanic captain and No. 10, Modrić. He commented: “He’s an extraordinary player – his achievements are almost beyond belief. Not only does he possess remarkable technical skills, but also a great character. You can always rely on him in tough situations. I believe that’s why he sets such a high standard for many players.”