Italy plays a Euro 2020 qualification match against Malta on Saturday night, but it's all about something else: two players have been questioned by authorities because they are suspected of betting on matches. National team coach Luciano Spalletti is unhappy about the turmoil.
Sandro Tonali and Nicolò Zaniolo have already been questioned by the authorities, while earlier Nicolo Fagioli (Juventus) was also under suspicion. Now, Nicola Zalewski of AS Roma is linked to the scandal. 'It was another difficult night, but in a different sense. We will continue to support them.
It's good to help them defend themselves, and let justice do its job. If irregularities have occurred, it's good to impose penalties,' says Spalletti. 'We need to make efforts to raise awareness and talk to young people about these pitfalls. It's not pleasant to investigate who started this.'
'I hope to see them again as soon as possible,' Spalletti refers to Zaniolo and Tonali. 'But the others are equally strong; the potential of my team is limitless. We cannot make excuses now. We have the opportunity to show what we stand for. It's clear that we make mistakes, but we need to improve ourselves.'
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