Italy's Cambiasso spoke to Rai Sport following his defeat to Spain in the second round of the Europa League group stage, giving a candid assessment of the tournament and expressing his expectations for the challenges ahead.
Cambiasso began by acknowledging the strength of the Spanish team, saying, "It was a tough game and Spain are a very good team. They proved they were stronger than us on the night and therefore won the game." His words revealed his respect for his opponents and his objective knowledge of the outcome of the match.
For the next match, Cambiasso said, "Unfortunately, we must now regroup and put our energy into the next match against Croatia." His words show the professionalism and positive attitude of the players, who, even in the face of defeat, are still able to remain calm, quickly adjust their state and prepare for new challenges.
Speaking about manager Spalletti's tactical request when he came on as a substitute, Cambiasso revealed, "He wanted me to help the team to have better control of the ball and to pull the opponent's defense apart by keeping the width of the field." However, he was also honest enough to admit that he may not have been at his best in carrying out this tactical requirement. "Spain played at a significantly faster tempo, which played a decisive role in the game. They were better in terms of reaction and acumen and therefore won the game."
Finally, Cambiasso emphasized the need for the team to remain calm and focused as "everything can change at any time". He encouraged his teammates to quickly regain their energy and show their best form against Croatia.
