Domenico Tedesco wants to beat Italy, but will have to adapt to the material at his disposal: ‘I want to put the players in their best position’

Not here for sightseeing

However, he does not hide a certain emotion at the idea of ​​coaching at the Olympic Stadium in Rome, facing the country of his parents who saw him born and who passed on to him his passion for football. He did everything to remain calm but did not deny “being quite emotional at the idea of ​​playing against Italy for the first time”. “I don’t hide my love and passion for this country, but I didn’t come for tourism.”

A dinner with Allegri, a chase after Del Piero and Juve jerseys everywhere: Domenico Tedesco has forgotten nothing of his Italian roots

No need, he knows the Boot and its capital well enough. He has repeatedly said that this match, despite the obvious link between the Squadra and him, did not revolve around him. “It’s a big meeting for the team”he said. The coach is, however, at the heart of the questions of this new gathering which will set the tone for the post-Euro period. September was a failure. October must be written under the sign of renewal.

Towards a tactical change?

What if it started with tactics? The available profiles suggest a system with three defenders. We wouldn’t dare write that we could see a return to the Martinez era. Tedesco will not betray his principles on the altar of the system.

“The system depends on the players you have availableexplained the coach. I have to field the best players in their best position. The system depends on them, but the principles are always above the rest. We cannot play naive football, but we will not betray our playing philosophy. We know what we’re doing when losing the ball, when pressing and when in possession.”

Italy plays with a marked system. Three central defenders and two central elements up front. “To densify this area of ​​the land”says coach Spalletti. This could tip the scales towards a reinforced Belgian defense. “With its advantages and disadvantages, Precise Tedesco. In pressing, you have one less player, in possession, you can bring up your backs. There is always a price to pay. My players know how to evolve in this system. They proved it in Austria in the second half.”

Taking the group to the next level

Italy is a step further than Belgium in its generational transition. His team works better, relies on more automation. The Red Devils continue, almost two years after the failure of Qatar 2022, to resemble a gigantic laboratory.

3 Devils with 30 caps and more, 8 Hopes: Belgium is getting its youthful treatment

Absences and injuries only increase this feeling of constant novelty. There will be new faces tomorrow on the pitch in Rome. Or at least less usual faces. Like a certain Charles De Ketelaere, for example, to whom Tedesco seems to have promised more playing time than in recent months. “He deserves to play because he is very good with Atalantaanalyzes the technician. Last season, already, but also since the start of the season. My decisions in September were aimed at giving space to players we don’t know enough about.”

It was the choices of some that pushed others to continue this learning process. “I’m not focusing on the absentees. The team here deserves all my attention, and I give it to them. I use my energy to help them as best as possible. We can think and say ‘what if’ thinking about the absences but I have no doubts about the quality of this team. Take Matte Smets He is a good example of a young person who deserves to be here And many others are waiting their turn and will be there one day. . This kind of match will help us succeed. It’s for these moments that we get up in the morning.”

Tactical experimentation, youth, questions, the preceding paragraphs leave little room for the idea of ​​pulling off a surprise on Italian soil against the group’s favorite. Yet Tedesco believes in it. “The result remains important. We don’t hide behind the circumstances. You know them. There are a lot of ‘buts’. However, you don’t prepare for a match without thinking about winning.” Belgium knows that a generation can build its history on a pivotal match.

We caught up with former Devils striker Luis Oliveira, who has lived in Italy for 32 years: “Thank you, Mister Michel, for my cycling vacation in Knokke!”

“Bodart could have been an option”

Domenico Tedesco explained the selection of Ortwin De Wolf to compensate for the absence of Matz Sels, called up and then sent back to England due to injury. The Mechelen goalkeeper has come a long way and has had a good start to the season. However, several Belgian goalkeepers are much better than him at the moment.

“Arnaud Bodart could have been an option, but he is not playing. I am happy that Ortwin is with us. Details made the difference in his favor. And that does not mean that we will not call another guard next time.”