Former Italy midfielder Riccardo Montolivo has expressed concern about the national team’s psychological state ahead of Tuesday’s World Cup playoff final against Bosnia. He urged the players to approach the match with a sense of freedom rather than anxiety.
Speaking to Sky Sport, Montolivo highlighted Italy’s nervous start against Northern Ireland as a warning sign.
“I am a little concerned about the morale of our players,” he stated. “The team must not start as tense as they did against Northern Ireland; they need to be loose. This is the key issue, especially since we are playing away from home. The manager will have to work on the players’ mindset.”
Montolivo Advocates for Pio Esposito to Start for Italy
Regarding potential lineup changes, Montolivo supported Pio Esposito for a starting role.
“I would like to see him from the first minute,” he said, although he acknowledged the value of an impact substitute, noting that players who come off the bench are often more decisive than those who start.
In midfield, Montolivo found no reason to alter the personnel, defending Manuel Locatelli despite some initial difficulties in the Northern Ireland match.
“He is having an excellent season and deserves his place in the national team,” Montolivo asserted. “The other night, he faced some early difficulties, but it was purely a tactical issue to adjust, nothing more.” He suggested that any necessary adjustments should be positional rather than involving player substitutions.