"Over the last few months I heard from him more than my mother. When I was out or not playing as much, he called me constantly. And the dinner with him was great. It gave us the chance to be together. It was like a dinner among friends."
"We need to be aware, because they're dangerous. Free kicks can create the difference. The margins between squads are reduced in modern football. We also need to pay attention to loose balls."
Gennaro Gattuso, Italy's coach, prioritized player communication and team spirit in the lead-up to the World Cup playoff. Defender Riccardo Calafiori noted Gattuso's frequent calls, even more than from his mother. Gattuso's efforts included traveling across Italy and abroad for dinners with players. Calafiori, who recently transferred to Arsenal, is focused on preparing for Northern Ireland, emphasizing the importance of defending against set pieces and loose balls as margins in football are narrow.
Read at ESPN.com
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