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Italy/ Investigations, laws and poisons, the eternal clash between politics and justice
Nga Giovanni Bianconi
De Biasi's confession: I hid it from the Albanians, but in 2016 I was almost Italy's coach
2026-03-24 23:50:37 / SPORT
Gianni De Biasi, the coach who made history with Albania, has shared his thoughts on modern football, the pressure of decisive matches and Italy's current situation on the eve of the World Cup play-offs.
In a lengthy statement to " Fanpage.it ", the Italian coach focused on the importance of the balance between tactics and the psychological aspect in such delicate matches. According to him, the difference is made by the players and the way they manage the pressure.
"It is the people who make the difference, both in terms of personality and quality. A good approach to the match and belief in a bright future helps the team achieve the objective," stressed De Biasi.
Commenting on the appointment of Gennaro Gattuso as head of Italy, he said it is a bold choice, but one with potential.
"Gattuso is a coach with a strong character, who has gone through different experiences. It is a difficult challenge for him and his staff, but it is precisely in moments like these that you have to give your best," he said.
De Biasi also revealed that in 2016 he was very close to taking over as Italy boss, before the federation chose Giampiero Ventura as Antonio Conte's successor.
"I had several telephone and personal contacts with the Italian Federation, who wanted to find a replacement for Antonio Conte, who had announced that after the European Championship in France he would go to Chelsea. On the contrary, I did not want any noise about this situation, because if I went to the European Championship as an 'away', I would lose a lot of money to my players in Albania. That is precisely why I took care every time that everything remained in the most absolute privacy. Then suddenly they chose Ventura, who had been released by Turin. However, this episode left me very sad and I cut off contacts", said the Italian.
In his analysis of Italian football, De Biasi acknowledged that Italy is no longer the "university of football" it once was, noting that other models, such as the Spanish one, are dominating the development of coaches and the modern game.
Meanwhile, he also gave advice to new coaches, emphasizing the relationship with players and the importance of details.
"It's the little things that make the difference. You have to constantly follow the players and create a relationship of trust with them. A motivational word before the match is not enough, but a daily process," De Biasi underlined.
Asked about the case of Alessandro Bastoni, he said that a coach must support his players even in difficult moments, helping them grow from mistakes.
Finally, the former Albania coach shared a personal reflection on his career, emphasizing that he has always chosen the most difficult path, without the support of agents or powerful networks.
"I didn't want easy paths. I preferred to climb the mountain with my own strength rather than reach the top by helicopter," he said.
Despite recent unconvincing offers, De Biasi left open the possibility of a return to the bench, emphasizing that he still has a lot to give in football.
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