Football game - Over 4,000 fans attend Italy football team's training session with Giovanni Zarrella.
About 4,000 enthusiastic fans and Italian showmaster Giovanni Zarrella welcomed the Italy national football team to their first public training session in Germany. The squad of the current champions arrived in Iserlohn on Tuesday as their base for the tournament. Before the practice started, the famous German-Italian Zarrella (The Giovanni Zarrella Show), a host from ZDF, sang on the field, while a music group performed the Italian song "Azzurro" from the audience.
The spectators cheered on the players throughout the session, particularly when former goalkeeper champion Gianluigi Buffon, who won the World Cup in Germany in 2006 and is now the group's representative, appeared. A few fans managed to reach the field - one of them was 2021's European champion Enrico Chiesa from Juventus Turin, who nearly caught up with Buffon. Coach Spalletti was also approached by a young spectator.
Hoping Barella Trains Individually
Injured hopeful Nicolò Barella, whose team Inter Mailand also announced a contract extension until 2029 on Tuesday, had a limited program during the training. Nicolò Fagioli (Juventus) didn't participate in the last friendly match against Bosnia and Herzegovina (1-0) due to a wound.
The Italians had to contend with a few players out due to injuries. Spalletti's team faces Albania in the Euro opener on Saturday (9 p.m./ARD/MagentaTV) in Dortmund. Next comes the supposedly more difficult group matches against Spain and Croatia.
News from the Italian federation's website.
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The Italy national soccer team, currently based in Iserlohn for the European Championship (EM), is led by Coach Luciano Spalletti. Despite some injuries, they are set to face Albania in their opening game on Saturday at 9 p.m., broadcasted on ARD and MagentaTV. The team's training sessions have been well-attended, with over 4,000 fans in attendance, including ZDF host Giovanni Zarrella.
During one such session, fans cheered for former goalkeeper champion Gianluigi Buffon, who won the World Cup in Germany in 2006. Enrico Chiesa, the 2021 European champion from Juventus Turin, even managed to approach Buffon on the lawn. Unfortunately, injured hopeful Nicolo Barella had a limited program, while his team Inter Mailand announced a contract extension for him until 2029.
Despite these challenges, the Italian team is determined to overcome their group matches against Spain and Croatia, following their opener against Albania. These games will take place in Dortmund and other locations, showcasing the nation's soccer talent on the European stage.
