Sacchi tipping Verratti for big impact

Former Italy manager Arrigo Sacchi believes midfielder Marco Verratti can have a big future with the Azzurri.

The Paris Saint-Germain player, 23, has endured an injury-interrupted campaign up until now but is close to returning to action for Laurent Blanc’s Ligue 1 champions.

Verratti played five times for Italy during their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign and will be desperate to get some game time in order to prove his fitness ahead of this summer’s tournament.

According to Sacchi, Verratti has all of the attributes to become a top-level performer for club and country.

“He’s a talent,” Sacchi told L’Equipe. “I know him well because I was responsible for the Italian youth teams… he’s a player of great quality. One of the most promising.

Physically, he’s not impressive but he’s intelligent.”

Sacchi led Italy to the 1994 World Cup final in the USA and believes the current national team boss is a confirmed admirer of Verratti.

“I know that Antonio Conte is a big fan of Verratti. He would be invaluable for the national team,” said Sacchi.

Italy have been drawn to face Belgium, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland in Group E at Euro 2016.

Sacchi has urged Verratti to make the most of playing with his fellow countryman Thiago Motta at PSG, insisting the veteran can help his younger team-mate to hone the skills required in big games.

“I think Verratti can learn things from him [Motta]. Sometimes, Verratti takes one or two touches of the ball too many. You have to know when to play the ball first time and when to carry the ball,” Sacchi added.

Italy are 2.60 to win Group E at Euro 2016 while Belgium are 2.05 to top it.