UDINE • At 36, Fabio Quagliarella has put his years of torment at the hands of a stalker behind him as he prepares to line up for Italy thanks to the best season of his career in Serie A, where he is the top scorer ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Even if Roberto Mancini is focusing on youth as he rebuilds the Azzurri following their failure to qualify for last year's World Cup, the Italy coach was unable to ignore the striker's remarkable run of form for Sampdoria that has seen him plunder 21 goals in 27 league games.
The veteran could earn his 26th cap - 8.5 years after his last appearance for the national team - in their Euro 2020 Group J opener against Finland in Udine today.
While Quagliarella is the oldest member of the squad, he told Italian TV channel Rai Sport he was "living everything with great enthusiasm and serenity".
Insisting the call-up was earned, he added: "This is the Italian national team, there's no need to give caps away.
"Being called up by the Azzurri is a great source of satisfaction. There are so many strong young players with great personalities and, for me, it's nice to be here, even if I'm playing it by ear.
21
League goals Fabio Quagliarella has for Sampdoria this season, the most in Italy's Serie A.
"I'm trying to carve out my space. I'm now at an age where you also know how to manage emotions."
While Mancini's side have been hit by injuries with Fiorentina striker Federico Chiesa already ruled out, Quagliarella provides another option up front alongside Juventus' forward pair of Federico Bernardeschi and Moise Kean, and Lazio striker Ciro Immobile.
The former Manchester City boss had already been keeping tabs, inviting him to take part in a training camp in February.
Quagliarella said: "I know that at my age, things can change from one day to the next, but the national team has always been a goal, and being in the midst of all these young people gives energy."
He scored his first goals in Serie A almost 15 years ago, in 2005 with Ascoli, and having netted 19 league goals last term, he is enjoying a sustained purple patch when most footballers would be winding down their careers.
His new-found calmness also follows the end of a stalker case that forced him to leave his home town of Naples in 2010.
For months, a former policeman sent hundreds of anonymous letters to Napoli claiming the player was involved in organised crime, paedophilia and drug trafficking.
After just one season, the club offloaded him to rivals Juventus, a departure then perceived as the worst betrayal by the home fans, who knew nothing of the case.
He was only able to tell the whole story, which left "significant scars", in 2017, when his persecutor was sentenced to nearly five years' jail.
In response, Napoli supporters displayed a banner at the San Paolo Stadium, which read: "You've lived through hell with enormous dignity. We will embrace you again, Fabio, son of this city."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Gymkhana bemoan 'unfair' treatment, Football News & Top
Football: Liverpool stun Barcelona 4-0 in second leg to reach Champions League final with 4-3 aggregate win Liverpool fans in Singapore and around the world in awe after improbable comeback.
Liverpool News, Scores, Schedule, Stats, Teamsheet - soccer
If one needed further evidence of the growing, fractious rivalry that now exists between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United , then the most recent transfer deadline day offered a conclusive case
André Villas-Boas poised to take the reins at Tottenham
Jun 06, 2019 · Ghost Ship trial: A weary dad sits in court every day, missing his daughter deserves blame. So too, Serra said, does the city for failing to do something about the conditions in the warehouse
Croatia Digs Deeper, Burying England's World Cup Dreams - The
May 08, 2019 · You can now ask him about July 1. Kyrie Irving's two-year stint with the Celtics appears over as he bowed out with another stinker of an outing Wednesday — 6-for-21 from the field, 15 points
NBA star Kyrie Irving, of Boston Celtics, apologizes for
Croatia were forced to dig deep as they came from behind to beat unfancied Azerbaijan 2-1 at home in their opening Euro 2020 Group E qualifier after forward Andrej Kramaric scored a 79th winner on
Football: Kramaric nets late winner as Croatia beat
England captain Harry Kane insists the Three Lions' squad are too united to be divided by the tension of club rivalries surrounding the Premier League title race and upcoming Champions League ties.
Football: Kane insists club rivalries will not split England camp
Football: Champions League final may 'mess' with England's Nations League schedule, laments Southgate (REUTERS) - England's preparations for their Nations League semi-final against the Netherlands on June 6 could be thrown into disarray if two English Premier League teams reach the Champions League final, national team manager Gareth Southgate
Champions League final may 'mess' with England: Gareth
Football: Playing the OLE United way. Manchester United's Jesse Lingard celebrating with Diogo Dalot after scoring in the 3-1 loss to Liverpool on Sunday. New Red Devils caretaker manager Ole
Football: Playing the OLE United way - theworldnews.net
Football: Albirex Niigata earn point in 0-0 draw with Brunei DPMM, but continue goal-less run. but were held to a goal-less draw by 10-man Brunei DPMM FC. Albirex similarly failed to score in
Football: Albirex Niigata earn point in 0-0 draw with Brunei
sports-life-news.com/soccer/football-albirex-niigata-earn-point-in-0-0-draw-with-brunei-dpmm-but-continue-goal-less-run/
On Friday (March 15) night at the Jurong East Stadium, they collected their first league point of the season but were held to a goal-less draw by 10-man Brunei DPMM FC. Albirex similarly failed to score in the Community Shield match against Home United, who won on penalties, and in their 1-0 league-opener defeat by Geylang International.
Football: Albirex Niigata earn point in 0-0 draw with Brunei
London - Jurgen Klopp has warned Liverpool's Premier League rivals that the leaders are laying the foundations for long-term success. Klopp's side sit four points clear at the top as they chase
Liverpool laying groundwork for sustained success, says Klopp
worldsoccertalk.com/2019/01/18/liverpool-laying-groundwork-for-sustained-success-says-klopp/
Liverpool laying groundwork for sustained success, says Klopp AFP January 18, 2019 AFP No Comments London (AFP) - Jurgen Klopp has warned Liverpool's Premier League rivals that the leaders are laying the foundations for long-term success.
Liverpool laying groundwork for sustained success, says Klopp
Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has been appointed manager of League Two side Oldham Athletic on a one-and-a-half year contract. Scholes said: "I just feel ready, really. I've had
Paul Scholes: Manchester United great appointed manager of
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar