Stefano Mauri is keen to answer Italy’s call
Lazio midfielder Stefano Mauri is keen to impress his manager Cesare Prandelli if he gets the chance to play against Northern Ireland on Friday.
Italy take on Northern Ireland at Windsor Park in Belfast in the European Championship qualifiers and they will be eager to remain at the top of the group.
The 30-year-old was a surprise inclusion in the squad and this will be his first call up to the international side in three years.
Mauri has helped Lazio to the top of the table during his performances for the Serie A side. “I'm here to stay. This call is to the merit of Lazio. When a team is doing so well, the individual talent emerges.”
"But this return to the national team is also down to my personal determination to believe in my quality. I feel more responsibility and I believe I can give a lot to this group,” he added.
Mauri plans to seize his chance in the Italian first team and prove to manager Prandelli that he was worth selecting.
The Lazio player said, "I hope to do well with the Azzurri jersey for a long time knowing that there is plenty of competition. To return after three years is a great satisfaction.”
"I am ready. My ideal position would be to play at the heart of midfield but I could also play on the wing or as playmaker,” he added.
The Italian manager is unlikely to start with Mauri, but the midfielder believes that his versatility may be the reason that Prandelli picked him in the first place.
The 30-year-old said, "I am an attacking midfielder that can play in several roles but it will be up to Prandelli to decide in which position to place me."
Mauri may feature from the bench in the match at Windsor. If he can bring his club form into the upcoming international the Italian will expect to feature more for the national side.
However, Mauri and Italy will be aware that Northern Ireland away will be a difficult game.
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