“You can hear it loud from your left and your right! It’s just a special feeling.”
Italy star Dauda Iddrisa is describing the inspirational effect of belting out the country’s iconic national anthem at the FIFA U-17 World Cup™. Indeed, witnessing the team’s players, coaches and staff link arms to sing Inno di Mameli with such intense depth of feeling is a moving, almost visceral experience.
The anthem, of course, builds to a rousing and thrilling crescendo. And when it concludes with that hearty roar of ‘Siam pronti alla morte, l’Italia chiamò, sì!’, the squad fist-pump, cajole, and fix each other with determined, knowing glares, leaving no doubt that they’re ready for battle.
At the U-17 World Cup, this ritual has proceeded them recording five victories from five matches on their way to reaching the quarter-finals, where they will face Burkina Faso on Friday.
“Towards the end of the anthem, especially because we say the ‘Si’ very loudly, it gives us that boost of motivation,” said Iddrisa. “You can feel the passion, even when you look ahead at the coaches, you see them showing the passion as well. Honestly, it’s a great feeling. We’re know we’re a team, we can fight together, we can progress forwards and we can win the game.”
Luca Reggiani, who has captained Italy in their past three matches, added: “It always a crazy emotion singing this anthem. It is a pleasure and a pride. It pushes us to win the game.”
Thomas Campaniello was key to Italy doing just that in their Round of 16 clash with Asian champions Uzbekistan. The striker scored his first goals of the tournament as he hit a clinical brace in a 3-2 victory.
“My two goals helped us go to the quarter-finals, but it’s all credit to the team,” he said. “We are all fighting together. We are getting more and more confident.”
On the anthem, he said: “It gives us the right tension to start the match, and that feeling we’re ready to fight. That we are all united for one cause.”
Campaniello’s predatory first-half strike opened the scoring against Uzbekistan. The AFC side equalised, but the Empoli attacker’s well-placed header soon re-established Italy’s lead. Full-back Iddrisa then slotted in to make it 3-1, before the Uzbeks bagged a late consolation.
“I think you could say I scored the winner!” said Iddrisa. “It’s my first international goal so I’m just over the moon.
“What makes us special is the way we play together and we fight together. We have a very strong relationship on and off the pitch, and I think that contributes to how we play. If someone needs help, everyone’s there to give it. I think that’s what will hopefully take us all the way to the final.”
Iddrisa also saluted Italy No9 Campaniello, who will be out to sustain his momentum against Burkina Faso after opening his tournament account.
“Honestly, I’m buzzing for him,” said Iddrisa. “He’s been working very hard in training, doing everything he can on and off on the pitch. That shows from his two goals, but I got the winner!”
