Calafiori: ‘I feel older than I was’ in revamped Italy, Arsenal star ready for France

Riccardo Calafiori during an Italy training session (@azzurri)

Riccardo Calafiori admits he is ‘starting to feel a little older than I was’ in an Italy squad that is skewing towards youth, as the Arsenal man sees ‘positive elements’ for facing France in the Nations League.

It kicks off at San Siro on Thursday at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET).

This is a head-to-head for the top of Group 1, as France are currently leading on 10 points, followed by Italy with seven and Belgium on six.

The top two both go into the quarter-finals of the Nations League, then hoping to make it into the Final Four, so Sunday’s trip to Brussels is the deciding factor.

Calafiori has faith in Italy

“Having a packed stadium tomorrow will help us, but we know who we are up against, so I doubt it is possible for us to snub this test ahead of Sunday,” said Calafiori in his press conference.

“We’ll play our best tomorrow and then can think about the Belgium game.”

While initially Calafiori had been used as a central defender for Italy, the role he also had at Bologna, he has only recently begun to take the left-back spot for the Nazionale as well.

This is in the wake of his Premier League-winning performances in that position for the Arsenal defence.

“There are a lot of young players in this squad, so I am starting to feel a little older than I was,” added the 24-year-old.

“I have relatively little experience with the Nazionale, but in every match I try to inspire my team and be a leader, more through my actions on the field than any words I might use.”

Italy’s Nations League campaign had started with a disastrous 2-0 home defeat to Belgium, the debut on the return of Roberto Mancini to the bench, but it was followed by victories over Turkiye and an impressive 1-1 draw on French soil.

“I always said it was too early to see big changes and the work the coach was doing, but it certainly helps to get positive results,” noted Calafiori.

“It gives us some more confidence, and tomorrow is again an important test. It was tough for us in France, it was important that we come away with heads held high, and we achieved that.

“Tomorrow we are on home turf, the stadium is going to be packed, these are all positive elements that allow us to build more self-belief, albeit aware there is still a lot more work to do.”

There are reports Kylian Mbappé might miss this match through a muscular injury, only the latest setback after losing Marcus Thuram, Pierre Kalulu, Aurelien Tchaouameni, Manu Koné, William Saliba, Jules Koundé, Maxence Lacroix, Ousmane Dembélé, Maghnes Akliouche and Esteban Lepaul.

“I think this is going to be a very complicated match. France have a lot of options available still, so it doesn’t change that much, and we must stay concentrated on ourselves,” assured Calafiori.

“There isn’t much time to prepare tactically and do things that are too different to at club level, so it’s more about determination and heart.”

The Arsenal defender had man-marked Michael Olise in the first meeting, so will he be doing the same again?

“I hope that I will have to do it tomorrow too. It’s always fascinating to face players of this level.”