Manuel Locatelli, who points to the starting eleven this Friday in Italy's debut against Turkey in the Eurocup, expressed his enthusiasm for playing this tournament on Wednesday and recalled that, in the past, he used to study his now teammate Marco Verratti in the videos available on YouTube.
“I was studying Verratti's movements on YouTube and I know how good he is. He always faces the opponent when he has the ball. I hope he recovers soon, and if I have to replace him, I will give it my all ”, promised Locatelli, a Sassuolo midfielder, at a press conference organized at the Coverciano technical center.
Locatelli, who trained at Milan, is the favorite to replace Verratti against Turkey, as the Paris Saint Germain midfielder is still affected by a collateral ligament injury in his right knee.
“Representing Italy in the Euro Cup is something that I am going to tell my children. I used to see these tournaments on the screens in the church fields. I will give everything for Italy ”, he affirmed.
“This year we have a clear identity. I think if we have difficulties, we will be ready. Our pride will show, ”he continued.
Locatelli reaches the European Championship at the best moment of his career, after a great season spent at Sassuolo. It was the club that relaunched him after his departure from Milan, the team with which he debuted in Serie A.
“It's a rematch for me. When you experience these troubles, it is important to relaunch your career and show your value, “he said, without wanting to comment on the interest of several Italian clubs in taking over his services.
“It would be a waste of energy to talk about the market, although after the European Championship I will have to make a decision,” he acknowledged.
He warned of the dangers of Turkey, his first rival in the European Championship, which will start on June 11 at the Olympic stadium.
“It is an important team, with strong players like (Hakan) Calhanoglu, with whom I shared the dressing room at Milan. It will not be easy, but we must give everything, “he said.