Romano: ‘I chose Italy with all my heart, see strong team going forward’

Alessandro Romano reiterates he ‘wanted to play for Italy with all my heart’ after switching allegiance from Switzerland, and sees a ‘very strong team going forward.’

The Cagliari midfielder returned to the starting XI for this evening’s 3-1 victory over Turkiye, having last started the 2-0 home defeat to Belgium.

It was followed by a 4-1 result on Turkish soil and the impressive 1-1 draw away to France, all vastly different performances between them.

Romano sees positive Italy progress

“I don’t think we got the first game so badly wrong, obviously it wasn’t the result we wanted, but with so many new players, new coach, it was inevitable we’d need time to get to know each other,” Romano told Sky Sport Italia.

“The important thing is that we reacted well after that.”

Romano was one of the Italy players most criticised after that opening Nations League match against Belgium, but it was his debut for the Azzurri, so the pressure was perhaps excessive.

“I am fortunate to have a strong and supportive staff and teammates who helped me. The coach stood by my side over these days, told me to relax, and I think I managed it today,” he noted.

There was also extra pressure because he had represented Switzerland at Under-21 level, only to switch his allegiance to Italy for the senior squad.

“I wanted to play for Italy with all my heart. It certainly wasn’t an easy decision, and it certainly wasn’t one against Switzerland, but in favour of Italy. I think this can be a very strong team going forward.”

Romano was one of two Cagliari players in the starting XI this evening, along with Daniel Maldini, but he also shifted over to have a mezz’ala role after initially being the playmaker.