Riccardo Montolivo hopes veteran midfielder Andrea
Pirlo joins him in Antonio Conte's Italy squad for Euro
2016.
Italy's Riccardo Montolivo says Andrea Pirlo embodies the sport
of football in the country, adding that he hopes the midfielder is
given a place in Antonio Conte's Euro 2016 squad.
The 36-year-old was left out of Italy's squad for this month's
friendlies with Belgium and Romania, with Conte suggesting on
Monday that the New York City midfielder may not feature at the
European Championship.
With the MLS season having drawn to a close, Pirlo's lack of
match action appears to have cost him, amid rumours of
interest from Serie A side Inter.
And Montolivo remained hopeful Pirlo could feature for the
Azzurri again, telling a news conference: "To say Pirlo you mean
football and I hope he will be part of the squad.
"It is hard to imagine a national team without him, for all he has
given in recent years. The decision is up to the coach to make
the best choice for Italy.
"There are many assessments that are not mine to make, but if
he is not part of the group, it will not be for a lack of quality.
"In the national team I've been there with him, so I do not see
myself as an alternative."
After injury struggles curtailed his season with AC Milan last
term, Montolivo has started 10 of 12 Serie A games this term
with his fitness troubles seemingly behind him.
As he bids to feature for Italy at a third major tournament, he
added: "There is great quality and competition in midfield
and each of us will give our best to convince the coach.
"I lost some time because of the injury. I am the last one in and
that's why I know that I need to win a place by having a great
season with Milan.
"I am doing well at Milan and Conte appears to be happy with
me."
Pirlo joins him in Antonio Conte's Italy squad for Euro
2016.
Italy's Riccardo Montolivo says Andrea Pirlo embodies the sport
of football in the country, adding that he hopes the midfielder is
given a place in Antonio Conte's Euro 2016 squad.
The 36-year-old was left out of Italy's squad for this month's
friendlies with Belgium and Romania, with Conte suggesting on
Monday that the New York City midfielder may not feature at the
European Championship.
With the MLS season having drawn to a close, Pirlo's lack of
match action appears to have cost him, amid rumours of
interest from Serie A side Inter.
And Montolivo remained hopeful Pirlo could feature for the
Azzurri again, telling a news conference: "To say Pirlo you mean
football and I hope he will be part of the squad.
"It is hard to imagine a national team without him, for all he has
given in recent years. The decision is up to the coach to make
the best choice for Italy.
"There are many assessments that are not mine to make, but if
he is not part of the group, it will not be for a lack of quality.
"In the national team I've been there with him, so I do not see
myself as an alternative."
After injury struggles curtailed his season with AC Milan last
term, Montolivo has started 10 of 12 Serie A games this term
with his fitness troubles seemingly behind him.
As he bids to feature for Italy at a third major tournament, he
added: "There is great quality and competition in midfield
and each of us will give our best to convince the coach.
"I lost some time because of the injury. I am the last one in and
that's why I know that I need to win a place by having a great
season with Milan.
"I am doing well at Milan and Conte appears to be happy with
me."
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