Italy coach Antonio Conte pulled no punches when he picked continental powerhouses Spain and Germany as sparring partners in the run-up to Euro 2016.
Tomorrow’s friendly in Udine against the European champions and next Tuesday’s visit to the German world champions in Munich shows Conte’s courage and professionalism, but will not dispel his disappointment about working conditions at the job he took in August 2014.
A week after the domestic federation (FIGC) announced his departure after Euro 2016, with Chelsea the likely destination, the 46-year-old coach discussed his difficulties with the business of managing a national squad in comparison to the daily duty as a club coach.
“I had problems standing still in these four months (since securing qualification for Euro 2016),” Conte said Monday, “and I know it would be very hard to sit in a parking garage in the coming years.”
The idle periods stem in part from the impossibility to hold brief training camps with the Azzurri during the league season, which the clubs have declined to discuss.
Conte’s latest disappointment came this week as the Lega Serie A, representing the clubs, refused to move forward the May 21 Italian Cup final between Juventus and AC Milan. The  coach had hoped that the players could have a few more days of rest before the Euro 2016 debut on June 13 against Belgium.
As some fear that his announced departure will weigh on the two and a half months remaining to the start of the tournament in France, he assured unfaltering dedication to the enterprise.
“Being the national team selector is a fantastic experience, which has enriched me under many aspects,” he said. “I always envied the coaches who represented Italy at big events like the European and world championships. Now it is my turn and I am excited about this event that we have prepared for two years.”
The Azzurri’s run-up includes a first tough hurdle against Spain, who beat them 4-0 in the Euro 2012 final and in 2008 eliminated them on penalties in the quarter-finals. The two squads are now even on 10 wins each and 13 draws.
“These are two crucial tests, beside the result,” Conte said. “I hoped to have everyone available and see if someone can become part of the group.”
Bad news, however, came from midfielder Marco Verratti and veteran defender Andrea Barzagli, who both left the camp outside Florence after medical tests.
Torino striker Ciro Immobile hurt himself Sunday in a derby with Juventus, whose Giorgio Chiellini and Claudio Marchisio were already on the inured list.
Conte called up their team-mate Daniele Rugani from the Azzurri Under-21 squad while Stefano Okaka of Anderlecht replaced Immobile.
Besides Rugani, other newcomers are Fiorentina forward Federico Bernardeschi and Napoli midfielder Jorginho, a naturalised Brazilian just like Paris Saint-Germain’s Thiago Motta, who rejoins the Azzurri for the first time since the 2014 World Cup.
Veteran play-maker Andrea Pirlo, a 2006 world champion playing with New York City, is not in the group but Conte is likely to consider him for the final Euro squad.