Materazzi: It is easy not to have a game against Italy, but it is also difficult to win 1-0

On November 21, Materazzi talked about Italy’s draw in the play-offs during an interview with Sky Italy in Zurich.

He said: "No game is easy, but this is the last chance. We have not participated in the World Cup for two times. This is also our responsibility. We must be prepared to face a difficult game."

What do you think about whether Europe needs more World Cup quotas?

"I think we have not participated in the World Cup for two times. The rules before were different from now. Now we must go all out. The quality of the players is there. I have been to many sports centers where there are 14 or 15 stadiums, and they have been cultivating young players. Maybe this is what we lack in Italy. We do have some shortcomings in this area."

If you were to command the national team, how would you arrange it? Would a two-day training camp before the play-offs help?

"For me, two days is too short. Because when you enter the national team, apart from training, recovery and injuries, you can basically only communicate verbally. But we should have more time on the court and cooperate with the coach as much as possible. The effect of two days of training is limited. How to arrange the game? Let's ask Gattuso."

Regarding the psychological challenge, everyone says that the current Italian team lacks leaders, what do you think?

"Everything is managed through work, which always pays off. We do have difficulties now, and unfortunately we have to catch up with the teams in front of us, and there are many strong teams in front of us. No game is easy, it is difficult everywhere, even winning 1-0 is not easy. We have to build something important not only on the first team, but also through the national team at all stages, who can make an impact and contribute to the work of the first team."