Italy Legend Luigi Riva: Cesare Prandelli Is Starting Off On The Right Foot
The former striker is hoping for a successful reign under the new Azzurri boss.
Italy legend Luigi Riva believes that new coach Cesare Prandelli is off to a good start after his official presentation on Thursday.
"Prandelli has started off on the right foot; he has shown great enthusiasm and responsibility. The new coach knows we are not as bad as we were in South Africa on television and I believe he will do very well," he proclaimed to reporters at Prandelli's press conference, according to Il Corriere dello Sport.
"Prandelli has said the national team is open to everyone. He's not the first to say those who play deserve it. He will choose a squad from those players and then see if they deserve to play for the national team in the future."
He also touched on Italy's experience at the 2010 World Cup, which saw them bow out at the group stage and pick up just two points.
"Our only saving grace was our first group game against Paraguay," he lamented.
"We went into crisis mode against New Zealand and Slovakia. We had a psychological block, we only played a quarter of an hour."
Riva is the Azzurri's all-time leading scorer with 35 goals in 42 appearances and was a key member of the team that won the 1968 European Championships.