Legrottaglie laments respect of good ol´ days

Italy centre-back Nicola Legrottaglie on Wednesday blasted the young players of today for their lack of respect, though without naming any names .

Legrottaglie, who will likely replace suspended captain Fabio Cannavaro in the Italy side that plays Ireland in Dublin on Saturday in a crucial World Cup qualifier, was speaking from Italy’s training base near Florence.

He claimed the young players of today don’t know how to behave themseves.

“I see players aged 19 or 20 who talk back to their coach, others who behave in a disrespectful manner,” said the Juventus defender.

“It’s something that annoys me, also because it gets confused with having character.

“You should always be respectful. I remember when I was 17 I used to carry the bags of my team-mates, it was a matter of respect and education.

“Take (Juventus captain Alessandro) Del Piero, he’s an example to everyone, he has never in his whole career behaved in anything less than an exemplary way.”