Daniele De Rossi hails Italy’s new #9 Giacomo Raspadori

earned 15 senior caps for

after his early breaking-through at Sassuolo. Showing more promises at Italy, the 22-year-old forward impressed in Italy's consecutive victories over England and Hungary as he scored in both of the games, leading Italy to qualify to the next round of the Nations League despite a bitter failure in qualifying for the Qatar World Cup.

The Italy and Roma legend,

, hailed the youngster who proved to become Italy's new number 9. He told the

:

“Giacomo makes you happy when you watch him. He’s a guy who could have played in the 70s-80s. You’re happy to see guys going down that route like I did in the past.

“With Lippi we were two from the Under-21 side but the others had little space. Mancini has already launched 10 boys who in the right context find space.”

Discussing the importance of working with data in modern football, the former

Roma

midfielder added:

“Fundamental, you can’t do without it. The collection of data and the match analyst is fundamental. The eye is important but it’s no longer enough. The old school thinks like that, but data helps a lot.

“Many years ago we were about to buy a footballer at Roma and I wanted another one, Nainggolan. The other player had better data, but it had nothing to do with Radja.

“There, though, you have to look at the team, where he plays and the coach. Data is important but it’s not enough.”

Hailing the atmosphere

created in Italy’s national team, De Rossi added: “

This squad, before the results, was reborn from its own ashes which were also mine as in Italy-Sweden. The feeling is that it can be repeated because post-European Championship very little has changed.

“The relationship created by Mancini with the squad is one of cordiality and respect. I have had many very good coaches in the national team but there have been times that it was a burden for me to go to Coverciano.

“Now it has become a pleasure for everyone to wear an important shirt and be at Coverciano every day. During the European Championship, 50 days without seeing anyone because of COVID was heavy but if it had been needed we would have stayed another 10 days.”

Giacomo Raspadori

was a part of Italy’s Euro-winning squad in 2020 as he scored 18 goals and provided further 9 assists across three Serie A seasons. The Italy international earned a loan move to

Napoli

with an obligation to purchase for €25m this summer, along with another €5m in various performance-related bonuses.

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