Calafiori: I Feel Older Than I Used To

Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori said he feels older than he used to in an Italy squad where young players make up most of the team. Calafiori said he saw positive signs in Italy's Nations League match against France.

The two teams meet on Thursday at the San Siro for the top spot in Group 1. France lead with 10 points, Italy are second with 7, and Belgium are third with 6. The top two teams in the group will reach the quarter-finals, and Sunday's away game in Brussels will be decisive in the race for the Final Four.

Calafiori said a full stadium will help the team, but he added that they know who their opponent is and that it is not possible to avoid this test. The player said they want to deliver their best performance against France, and will then focus on the Belgium match.

Calafiori recalled that, as he did at Bologna, he was first used as a centre-back for the national team and has recently played at left-back as well. This change was said to be influenced by the performances he showed in Arsenal's Premier League title win. He said his experience with the national team is limited, but on the pitch he tries to lead through his actions rather than through his words.

Italy's Nations League campaign began with a 2-0 home defeat to Belgium, the first match under Roberto Mancini's return as head coach. Italy then beat Türkiye and drew 1-1 away to France, a result that was impressive. Calafiori said they had made clear from the start that major changes would take time, but that positive results make this process look better.