Wolfsburg's Italian fullback Cristian Zaccardo concedes his move to Germany has not gone to plan. The World Cup winner left Palermo after four years last summer for a bigger contract and the chance of a foreign adventure at Wolfsburg.
But after a promising start to his Bundesliga career, the move has turned sour for Zaccardo, who is the first to admit the gamble has cost him his place in Marcello Lippi's World Cup plans. He also questions whether Wolfsburg coach Felix Magath really understands his game.
"So far, I have not been able to fully demonstrate my value," Zaccardo said last week. "If I could find an environment with a coach willing to give me confidence, I am sure I would be recalled by the Azzurri.
"I cannot pretend that I would have liked to have played more. I still do not understand what Magath wants from me.
"I have been trying to do everything I can, but I don't know if the same is coming from his end.
"For the moment, there's no point dwelling on this. There's seven games left before June, I can consider my options then."
Despite the cold shoulder from Magath, Zaccardo is enthusiastic about his Wolfsburg teammates, which include former Palermo defender Andrea Barzagli and highly-rated striker Edin Dzeko.
"There is a very strong and talented attacker here, but he will cost any club a lot, he is called Edin Dzeko. Barzagli and I noticed him at the beginning of the season, we knew this guy was special. He's a pure attacker and I think he is ready for a big team.
"Then there is another Bosnian, Zvjezdan Misimovic, also very talented, he reminds me of (Lamberto) Zauli."
Zaccardo continued: "The one thing Magath has us doing is working hard in training. We run a lot - I may even sound tired when speaking to you! But it's paying off, because we've won nine consecutive games and are above Bayern Munich. The morale here is great."
So it's mixed emotions for Zaccardo - but in the end no player can be happy when not playing regularly, particularly a World Cup winner. The Italian defender welcomes talk of interest from AC Milan and says he would consider a return to Serie A for the right team.
"I would like to return," declared Zaccardo, "particularly to a big team.
"Milan? If it was up to me, I would go there immediately. But you will have to ask them if they're really interested.
"I think the German league is technically inferior to ours," continued Zaccardo, "from a physical level it's very demanding, you're like machines here. Also in training no-one pulls out of tackles, it can be brutal.
"However, from a defensive point of view and tactically ... I believe that Italy it is of a higher standard."
Zaccardo's former teammate at Palermo, Edinson Cavani, has been linked with a move to Germany, but the Italy international urges the Uruguayan youngster to stay grounded and learn his craft at the Sicilian club.
"Soon after Cavani arrived you could see how talented he was," recalled Zaccardo, "he scored a spectacular goal straight away.
"He can have a big future (at Palermo). He just needs to keep his feet on the ground and listen to people at the club. He has all the qualities needed to be a major player at the top level."
Despite his difficulties this season, Zaccardo is looking forward to final weeks of the title run-in - which could end with a Bundesliga winner's medal.
"We're three points ahead of Bayern Munich," says Zaccardo. "We are playing to win the title. Bayern aren't going through the best of times, especially the way they were beaten in the Champions League.
"Wolfsburg are playing to win."
