Alessandro Buongiorno, in a press conference from Casa Azzurri Germany, isn't smiling just because his chance may have come. He's smiling because the feelings he is experiencing would have been unthinkable a year ago: a first appearance in the Nations League in June 2023 and the second - against Ukraine in Leverkusen - earned Italy qualification for EURO 2024; now, the call-up for the European Championship and a possible chance to start against Switzerland given the suspension of Riccardo Calafiori. And if it were really time for Buongiorno, the Torino defender certainly wouldn't hold back: "There's enthusiasm," he says. "From the start of the camp, we've been trying to give our all to give the coach a selection choice headache. If it were to be my time, I've prepared to be ready.”

Mattia Zaccagni took care of the rest and with his goal against Croatia he stopped Italy from finishing third in the group. All things considered, without that 1-1 draw, Italy would already be on their return flight home: "We congratulated Zac and thanked him, because his goal helped us qualify," Buongiorno said. We were very happy and pleased after the match, and even more so because it helped us qualify. We're aware we're a group that never gives up, that can score even in the last minute. We're trying to prepare as best we can for the next match, which won't be easy."

Everyone's minds are already on Switzerland: "We have watched some videos and we will try to do everything we can to get ready. In terms of general awareness, we know we can give and guarantee the utmost professionalism to get to the final, which is our overall aim. We will come up against a very tough national team, who play good football and know how to attack deep, with fast and very mobile players. The fact that some big national teams struggled in the first phase makes us understand that no match is easy: it will be essential to not underestimate any opponent."

For anyone who plays in defence, therefore, the work will be the same as always: "I try to put the effort in and improve day after day, setting goals to improve my shortcomings. I believe I have shown my strong points are in the defensive side of the game, and also with Spalletti we are working hard on my skills in the possession phase; that is where I feel I need to improve further. In every training session, the coach gets his ideas across to us: I believe very much in his football and in what he tells us; they are all very useful and will allow us to improve individually as well as a team."

If, upon his return to Italy, Doctor Buongiorno - with a degree in business administration - will find a new coach for Torino, Paolo Vanoli ("He sent me a message telling me to only think about the European Championship at the moment, he's an excellent coach" ), in Berlin there will be one of his Granata teammates as an opponent, Ricardo Rodriguez: "We had hoped to see each other in the final, let's say we'll see each other a little sooner".

As mentioned, lots of new feelings that bring Alessandro's mind back to all the sacrifices made to get here: "For a moment I thought about my journey, since I started as a child at Torino. But my family also came to mind, because they've always been close to me and tried to help me. The rest of the atmosphere here is fantastic: it's the first time I've experienced emotions like that and I'm also very happy to represent Torino." Buongiorno, however, represents one of the Italian defenders for the present and the future: "We have a tradition of very strong players. We younger lads try to take inspiration and when we met them we asked them for advice. We watch their behaviour: we're trying to do our best to be at their level."

On Saturday, we're back in Berlin, after Italy found out its path to the final on 14 July yesterday: "This part of the draw seems simpler, but every match is tough," replied Buongiorno. "We will try to do our best and hope to succeed for us, for Italy, and for all Italians".