Como player Liberali discussed his Italy U21 debut, his chemistry with Nico Paz, his decision to leave Milan, and his dream of participating in the 2030 World Cup in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Was your Italy U21 debut what you expected?

Liberali said, "I had hoped we would win more easily and break the deadlock sooner. But we did well and fought until the end."

After the match, who was the first person you contacted when you checked your phone?

Liberali said, "My parents. I owe everything I am today to them and my grandfather. Recently, I've also been talking a lot with my younger brother Daniele, who plays for Leon Vimercate's U16 team."

You performed well after coming on as a substitute against Armenia and had excellent training sessions in Tirrenia. How eager are you to prove yourself now?

Liberali said, "I am very eager to train hard, prove myself, and make an impact. Yes, I definitely came here with a lot of motivation. This is my first time training under Coach Baldini, and training is very important. How you train during the week will dictate your performance in the weekend's match."

When you came on as a substitute, you played as a central midfielder and later as a winger.

Liberali said, "In today's football, a player's advantage lies in being able to play multiple positions. The position I played from a young age was attacking midfielder behind the striker. But even when playing out wide, I can drift inside, just like I did at Catanzaro, playing as a right-sided attacking midfielder under Aquilani. I must thank him because he was willing to patiently wait for me to develop, which is exactly what young players need."

You, Favasuli, and Cisse all came from Catanzaro.

Liberali said, "I'm delighted to be reunited with them in the Italy squad because they are two fantastic lads. I had a wonderful year with them, and now we talk every week. I'm also playing with Camarda again; we have great chemistry on the pitch and have known each other since childhood."

In 2024, after you won the European Championship with the Italy U17 team, Maurizio Viscidi once said, "If in four years, players like Camarda, Liberali, and Mosconi, who are capable of breaking through defenders, become players who play with their backs to goal and release the ball with only two touches, then our development work has failed."

Liberali said, "I'm already at four touches now... just kidding. I think a player's maturity lies in knowing when to dribble more and when to release the ball quickly. The higher the level of the game, the less time you have to think and act. Especially in today's football, many teams play at an incredibly high intensity, so you have to think faster and prepare your next move before the ball arrives. I need to improve my ability to run behind the defense and my defensive intensity. However, anticipating the next move with the ball might be my strongest point."

Just like Totti.

Liberali said, "He was one of my idols when I was a kid, the other being Dybala during his time at Juventus. Now, I have role models around me: Nico Paz and Baturina."

Can you and Nico Paz play together?

Liberali said, "You'd have to ask Fabregas. We work well together in training. But I have to say, I'm happy training with all my teammates."

Have you learned Spanish?

Liberali said, "I've learned a bit, and some English too. You have to. But I really enjoy the process—it allows you to get to know other teammates, different cultures, and their ideas. It's another opportunity for personal growth."

Which do you prefer, the Italian national anthem or the Champions League anthem?

Liberali said, "The Italian national team is always the Italian national team, and every time you wear the blue jersey, it's an honor. But of course, being able to sing the Champions League anthem live is also a dream you've had since childhood."

Against Poland, you will be competing for qualification.

Liberali said, "They are a tough team with very high intensity and talented players. We cannot underestimate them."

What goals have you set for yourselves at Como?

Liberali said, "If a team has its own style and sticks to it, results will naturally follow. In football, everyone wants to win. There are other strong contenders for the league title, so for me, it's about winning one game at a time. If we can win many games, then achieving bigger things later will be easier."

Before the international break, you lost to Frosinone, where Palmisani plays.

Liberali said, "When I saw him here, I told him: 'Who were you that day, Buffon?'"

What happened between you and Milan?

Liberali said, "Milan is the team that developed me from a young age, and I've always acknowledged that. I'm truly grateful to them. However, in football, sometimes both sides go their separate ways. At that time, for me, the right choice was to take a step back, perhaps go to a lower league to get playing opportunities."

You are two months older than Lamine Yamal. How far are you from his level?

Liberali said, "He has already won the World Cup, and if he doesn't win the Ballon d'Or, he'll finish second. Don't compare us—everyone needs their own time to grow. I still have a long way to go."

There's still the World Cup in 2030.

Liberali said, "Yes, that's a dream I hope to achieve. But before that, of course, I have some seemingly small but very important stage goals that I hope to achieve step by step."

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