Scalvini: Serious injuries are a tough experience, but I always face them with a positive mindset

Italian defender Scalvini attended a press conference at the Italian national team's training base in Coverciano. This is the third part of that press conference.

Hello, you've already spoken about how strong France is as a team. I'd like to ask you: what kind of match do you expect? In terms of overall squad strength, without meaning any disrespect to Belgium or Turkey, France undoubtedly has far greater strength. What do you think the match will be like? After all, going to Paris and trying to play your attacking football is not an easy task.

Yes, I completely agree that France is a very tough team. As I said earlier, we'll now analyze everything thoroughly and prepare for this match with our coaching staff. There are still many tactical details we need to work through and improve to refine areas where we haven't performed well before. But I'm very confident that we'll find the best way to go there and face them openly and without fear. Even though we're up against a top team, for us, who are still developing, playing against world-class opponents like that is an excellent test that will help us assess very clearly the level we've reached right now.

Hello, I'd like to ask you: you unfortunately missed the previous two Italy-France clashes in the Nations League due to injury, but there was a very memorable meeting at the 2023 UEFA U21 European Championship—at that time, Italy had five players: you, Carnesecchi, Tonali, Cambiaghi, and Ricci, and France also had stars like Barcola. Now both groups of players are meeting again in the senior national team. Do you have special memories of that dramatic match? If I remember correctly, you even received a yellow card in that game.

I don't remember all the specific details—maybe I did get a card. But yes, I have a very strong memory of that match.

Editor's note: At that time, Italy U21 lost 1-2 to France U21 in the opening group match of the UEFA U21 European Championship, and Scalvini did receive a yellow card, while Barcola scored the winning goal for France.

In other words, this is a rivalry that has spanned from youth to senior level, lasting years, with key players from both sides growing and maturing together.

Yes, of course. I have a very strong collective memory of that U21 national team. Many of us overcame challenges and reunited in the senior national team today. Many young players from the newest age group have also been promoted. I think this is the best news for the future of Italian football overall.

I remember that France's U21 team was very strong at that time; it was a very special match, and I still clearly remember that we had a clear goal that the referee missed. But it's wonderful to face these old rivals again on a bigger stage a few years later. As I just said, it allows us to intuitively assess our growth and transformation over the years, which is certainly something very positive and remarkable.

Giorgio, good afternoon. I have a question I'd like to ask you: your luck seems to have been rather poor in recent years, suffering several serious injuries that have disrupted your playing continuity. You've mentioned before that you really like the phrase "the path to enlightenment." So where has that path taken you today? What key moments have helped you overcome these difficulties and stand on the senior national team stage today?

There have been so many moments, and these moments don't always have to be dramatic historical milestones—whether they're negative challenging moments like serious injuries or glamorous positive moments like winning a championship. There are many ordinary details in life that subtly help you build a deep understanding and awareness of yourself, football, and life itself.

Now I'm in a phase where my self-awareness has become clearer. Things change, and life is full of variations. I believe this year is a year of significant change for me personally, but at the same time, it's a year when I can absorb and learn much new knowledge. Of course, I very much hope to recover to 100% optimal physical and mental condition so I can give everything for the national team and my club.

Good afternoon. You recently extended your contract with Atalanta until 2031. So far, you've spent almost your entire career wearing this shirt. It's very rare in modern football to find a young player who stays at the same club for so long. Do you feel like a standard-bearer for the club? Is being a symbol and emblem of your club something you aspire to? Conversely, many of your younger teammates have had different experiences at other Italian clubs or even foreign leagues.

Yes, if I've stayed here and signed a long-term extension, it's because I feel very good here, very comfortable and at peace all the time. At the same time, I completely understand my teammates who choose to make a change and go to other clubs or abroad. Experiencing a new environment and learning different tactical philosophies in football is certainly something I'd like to explore in the future. But for now, at Atalanta, I can still learn and am indeed learning a lot about tactical knowledge and growth elements.

Hello Giorgio. If I remember correctly, it was Roberto Mancini who first called you up to the national team back in November a few years ago. I'd like to ask: what kind of coach do you think he is in this renewed collaboration? And what's your opinion on Scamacca? After all, no one is better positioned than you to speak about playing alongside him and facing him at both club and national team level. How do you see his growth trajectory?

Yes, my relationship with the coach has always been very good, and we still get along very well. Beyond his very deep knowledge of football, I really appreciate his honesty and directness when communicating his demands to me. I'm very happy to be reunited with him. As for Scamacca, he's in his best form right now. Like me, he also went through some difficult and unstable years, but now I see him in very good form, even better than last year, and he's showing a strong desire to play and prove himself.

I have a shorter, more personal question about injuries. You missed almost the entire season due to two serious injuries and were even ruled out in the final match before Euro 2024, so you missed that tournament. I'd like to ask: how did you handle all of this? Do you accept it fatalistically, or do you feel angry? Even though there are now the best injury prevention and rehabilitation methods available, the schedule is too packed. Top tennis players can choose to withdraw from tournaments, but professional footballers clearly can't. What's your mindset?

Regarding the mental aspect, experiencing serious injuries is undoubtedly a cruel and painful experience, but I always try to face it with a positive attitude, even though it's very difficult. I never let negative emotions defeat me internally, and this is largely thanks to my girlfriend, family, and friends, who give me extraordinary support and companionship, and of course, the club's attention. On the physical level, I'm now focusing most of my energy on efficient scientific prevention and rehabilitation. Compared to before the serious injuries, these are now the two priorities that I give very high attention and effort to.

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