Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma shares team’s plan to COMBAT UEFA rule change which forbids players from talking to the referees ahead of Azzurri’s Euro 2024 opener against Albania
- UEFA has launched a new rule that could impact player behavior at Euro 2024
- Italy captain Gianluigi Donnarumma says he and his teammates have a plan
- Listen to It all starts! Why Euro 2024 could give us another ‘old school’ tournament
Italy captain Gianluigi Donnarumma has revealed that his team has drawn up a plan to combat the new rule introduced by UEFA for Euro 2024.
UEFA made headlines on the eve of the competition – announcing a rule change that could have a significant impact on players’ behavior on the pitch.
The rule ensures that the captain is the only player on each team who may discuss a decision made by the referee.
If a player is not captain and approaches the referee to dispute a decision, he will be booked immediately.
The move is an attempt to curb incidents of players surrounding a referee after a controversial decision.
UEFA is trying to curb incidents of players around a referee after a decision
Gianluigi Donnarumma has revealed that Italy has a plan to combat the new rule
However, goalkeeper Donnarumma, recently appointed Italy captain, says he and his teammates have devised a plan.
‘We have spoken [UEFA referees chief] Roberto Rossetti and it was very clear,” Donnarumma said.
‘If there are situations near the penalty area, I go across and speak to the match officials, but before the matches we decide who will address the referees for situations far from the penalty area. Maybe it will be Jorginho or Nicolo Barella, we will decide that just before kick-off.’
Italy will kick off their European Championship defense when they take on Albania in Group B on Saturday evening.
And manager Luciano Spalletti is aware of the pressure and responsibility his players are under as he urged them not to show fear.
“For every kid who goes out every night and sweats, scrapes their knees – then we are their heroes, what they dream about. It’s up to us to make that happen,” Spalletti said Friday.
“Giants and heroes don’t date with fear, they date with passion and faith.
‘We all need to make sure we have a toolbox and can screw or unscrew what we need.’
Luciano Spalletti has urged his players not to show fear ahead of their clash with Albania
Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella is expected to overcome a muscle injury and play for the Azzurri.
‘Yesterday (Thursday) he did everything in training. “He will take part in training matches later today (Friday) and we will take that into account,” he said. “And we’re waiting to see how he feels because he’s had a similar problem in the past.
“However, everything we saw last night indicates he will be available tomorrow.”