UDINE • At 36, Fabio Quagliarella has put his years of torment at the hands of a stalker behind him as he prepares to line up for Italy thanks to the best season of his career in Serie A, where he is the top scorer ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Even if Roberto Mancini is focusing on youth as he rebuilds the Azzurri following their failure to qualify for last year's World Cup, the Italy coach was unable to ignore the striker's remarkable run of form for Sampdoria that has seen him plunder 21 goals in 27 league games.
The veteran could earn his 26th cap - 8.5 years after his last appearance for the national team - in their Euro 2020 Group J opener against Finland in Udine today.
While Quagliarella is the oldest member of the squad, he told Italian TV channel Rai Sport he was "living everything with great enthusiasm and serenity".
Insisting the call-up was earned, he added: "This is the Italian national team, there's no need to give caps away.
"Being called up by the Azzurri is a great source of satisfaction. There are so many strong young players with great personalities and, for me, it's nice to be here, even if I'm playing it by ear.
21
League goals Fabio Quagliarella has for Sampdoria this season, the most in Italy's Serie A.
"I'm trying to carve out my space. I'm now at an age where you also know how to manage emotions."
While Mancini's side have been hit by injuries with Fiorentina striker Federico Chiesa already ruled out, Quagliarella provides another option up front alongside Juventus' forward pair of Federico Bernardeschi and Moise Kean, and Lazio striker Ciro Immobile.
The former Manchester City boss had already been keeping tabs, inviting him to take part in a training camp in February.
Quagliarella said: "I know that at my age, things can change from one day to the next, but the national team has always been a goal, and being in the midst of all these young people gives energy."
He scored his first goals in Serie A almost 15 years ago, in 2005 with Ascoli, and having netted 19 league goals last term, he is enjoying a sustained purple patch when most footballers would be winding down their careers.
His new-found calmness also follows the end of a stalker case that forced him to leave his home town of Naples in 2010.
For months, a former policeman sent hundreds of anonymous letters to Napoli claiming the player was involved in organised crime, paedophilia and drug trafficking.
After just one season, the club offloaded him to rivals Juventus, a departure then perceived as the worst betrayal by the home fans, who knew nothing of the case.
He was only able to tell the whole story, which left "significant scars", in 2017, when his persecutor was sentenced to nearly five years' jail.
In response, Napoli supporters displayed a banner at the San Paolo Stadium, which read: "You've lived through hell with enormous dignity. We will embrace you again, Fabio, son of this city."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Kurt Zouma heading past Bournemouth goalkeeper Asmir Begovic for the opener as the Toffees secured a 2-0 win yesterday to move up to 10th in the Premier League. The defender, who is on loan from
Bournemouth keen to avoid sticky Toffees as they head to Everton
Maurizio Sarri condemns the alleged racist abuse of Raheem Sterling by Chelsea supporters but wants the club's main focus to be on Thursday's clash with Vidi. The Blues visit Budapest this week
Sarri condemns 'disgusting' Sterling abuse | FourFourTwo
Ikhsan Fandi scores first competitive goal for Norwegian club Ikhsan Fandi's (blue boots) Raufoss teammates chase him after his last-gasp goal gave his side a 3-2 win over Skeid Fotball. PHOTO
Football: Ikhsan Fandi scores first competitive goal for
"First and goal, ball on the two yard-line, Kapatos letting the playclock wind-down before hiking the ball. The Lions are in their goal-line formation, with an extra lineman as an eligible receiver.
Chelsea's Italian head coach Maurizio Sarri shouts instructions to his players from the touchline. / AFP Chelsea boss Sarri baffled by 6-0 humbling at Man City
Chelsea boss Sarri baffled by 6-0 humbling at Man City
Clearly, the pace has changed for the Lakers. After saying last summer the Lakers are intent on building a team that will be a contender for years and not just in the short term, team president
LeBron James-Less Lakers Compete, But Jazz End Two-Game
Madrid, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th May, 2019 ) :Madrid will deploy an unprecedented number of police and security personnel for Saturday's all-English Champions League final, and use a drone for the first time to monitor fan activity.
Madrid plans 'robust' security for all-English Champions
Lions hunt in their prides, or groups. They stalk their prey while low to the ground. They like to hunt at night because the animals have a harder time seeing them, but lions actually see better
The Big Cat Challenge: Are You Tough Enough For a Mountain L
Each had a story to tell about a "good Christian" child, raised in their home and in our church, who had walked away from the faith during the college years. These children had come through our church's youth program, gone on short-term mission trips, and served in several different ministries during their teenage years.
Youth Prisons Don't Work. Here's What Does. | Time
time.com/4543401/youth-prison-reform/
Mishi Faruqee is the National Field Director of the Youth First Initiative October is Youth Justice Action Month, so let's take stock of what we've learned about our juvenile justice system
PDF Guidelines for Ministry to & With Young People
Jan 03, 2019 · Reports: Chelsea teen Hudson-Odoi appears close to Bayern move. By Kyle Bonn Jan 3, 2019, Sky Germany reports that Bayern Munich has made three approaches for Hudson-Odoi since late December,
Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus eye Chelsea teen Hudson
Football: History made as women to referee men's AFC Cup
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen