Materazzi warns young Italy must face Zidane's France

Yesterday afternoon, at the Trento Sports Festival, Marco Materazzi spoke with journalists before the Nations League clash between Roberto Mancini's Azzurri and Zinedine Zidane's Bleus. The atmosphere was charged with expectations, with the awareness that the match will be decisive for qualification.

Materazzi said: “I expect a tough, difficult match, because I think France, together with Spain, is the strongest team in the world in terms of quality.” He added that Italy is young, but can produce great games like in Turkey and poor ones like against Belgium.

He recalled that this is already the third time Italy has missed a World Cup, calling it sad because “Italy is always Italy.” The 2006 champion emphasized the importance of waiting for the young talents he hopes will arrive soon.

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Materazzi spoke of a generational shift, stating that not going to the World Cup three times in a row is not normal for Italy. He noted that in Europe one could once win in Iceland, now perhaps you win in San Marino, and that even Malta is no longer a walk in the park.

Regarding the famous headbutt on Zidane, Materazzi replied: “On this episode I think there is nothing more to say, anyone who meets me on the street still asks ‘but what did you say to Zidane?’”.

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Materazzi’s words underline the pressure on a young Italian national team, ready to face a France led by Zidane, in a Nations League that could define the future of upcoming international tournaments.