Interim head coach of the Italian national team, Silvio Baldini, has declared his intention to select players solely from the U21 squad for the upcoming friendlies in June against Luxembourg and Greece. He also commented on the challenge Serie A coaches face in balancing the pursuit of results with providing opportunities for younger players.
Baldini will lead the Italian team in two away matches: against Luxembourg on June 3rd and against Greece on June 7th. These fixtures are scheduled to fill the void left by the absence of the Azzurri from the World Cup, where they would have been preparing for warm-up games.
Following their failure to qualify for the World Cup after losing the playoff final to Bosnia and Herzegovina in late March, and the subsequent resignation of head coach Gennaro Gattuso, Italy is expected to field a young squad for the June friendlies. Baldini confirmed that all players selected will be from the U21 team.
“As the coach of the U21s, and following Gattuso’s resignation, I will exclusively call up players from the U21s for the two friendlies against Luxembourg and Greece. This is a logical decision, not one that requires particular courage,” stated interim Italy coach Baldini during the presentation of the Maurizio Maestrelli Award on Tuesday.
“One must know how to select the right individuals. When the proposal was made, I told President Gravina, ‘I accept, but I will bring the U21s.’ I want to leverage my work and also showcase these young talents.”
Recent reports suggest that national team captain Gianluigi Donnarumma has made himself available for the upcoming June friendlies, though it remains uncertain if he will be included in the squad.
Baldini Discusses Challenges for Young Italian Players
Baldini also reflected on his own coaching career. The 67-year-old has held 20 head coach positions throughout a long and varied career, but has only remained with a club for longer than two seasons on one occasion.
“Everyone has their own journey. I have my own path; I wouldn’t call it complicated, but I’ve encountered certain situations from a young age and have always been on guard, always defending myself. When these situations arise, I know I perform at my worst, so it’s better to move on,” he explained.
The interim CT then shared his thoughts on recent discussions surrounding the Italian national team and the calls for more opportunities for young players in Serie A.
“All these players need to understand that to become complete footballers, they must play for the collective, they must be a cohesive group. To be a group, you have to adhere to rules. These are not impositions but rather elements that foster discipline.
“We frequently discuss the necessity of allowing young players to play, of having courage, but then we emphasize that results are paramount. If you don’t win, the process is irrelevant. It’s challenging to convey to individuals that you’re not solely playing for the outcome.
“We all agree that winning is what matters, not just participation, and that second place is the first loser. If we continue with this mindset, tell me how we are supposed to help youngsters grow, encourage them to be brave, and eliminate their fear. It’s not easy to reconcile these two aspects.
“I’ve been coaching for many years and have found myself in a situation I never anticipated.”