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2025 Luca Bizzarri - FIGC
Silvio Baldini’s adventure as head coach of the Italy Under-21s couldn’t have started any better. A winning debut in La Spezia against Montenegro was followed by a second victory a few days later in Bitola against North Macedonia. Two matches, six points, and now the focus turns to the upcoming fixtures. On Friday, October 10, the Azzurrini will return in Cesena to face Sweden (tickets available online), the first real turning point in these European qualifiers, and four days later in Cremona they will take on a tricky Armenia. Both matches kick off at 18:15 CEST and will be live on Rai 2.
BALDINI: “For any Italian, in any field, representing our country is, I believe, the greatest honour,” Baldini said in an interview with Vivo Azzurro TV. “I’m very proud to do it and will do my best to do those who chose me proud.” Working as a national team coach is very different from managing a club: there are only a few days available, and ideas need to be communicated effectively. “When selecting players, I don’t start from their technical skills, but from who they are off the pitch. I want to see motivated people, passionate about what they do, with a clear path to follow and the goal of becoming top players.”
THE LIGHTBULB MOMENT. Baldini watches and observes everything, just like he did at Carrarese vs. Triestina in April 1983. “At the time I was studying at the ISEF, and I went to watch that game. Carrarese was being managed by Orrico and played total football, inspired by the Dutch. I was fascinated by it. I thought that one day I would also become a coach and find myself in a stadium with all of the fans rooting for us.” And that’s what happened, without compromise. “At a certain point, I no longer felt happy coaching. I stayed away for six years until I spoke with Carrarese; I told them I would return to coaching for free, but I didn’t want any constraints, including the condition of not being sacked regardless of results. It worked out well, we reached the playoff final against Bar, and then my experiences with Palermo and Pescara made me even more grateful for this journey.”
FROM THE HEART. It’s easy to understand Baldini when you watch him and listen to him: “Last year we were at the pre-season training camp in Pescara. I had taken a stand; I wanted to win. But in those days, I realised that what I had in mind was hard to achieve. I spoke with my son Mattia and told him that we had made the wrong choice, that we should leave.” But it was precisely thanks to Mattia’s response that Pescara’s season took the right turn: “He told me that he sees Valentina, my disabled daughter, as beautiful no matter what because he doesn’t look at her through other people’s eyes, but through his heart. So, he suggested that I try to see the players in the same way I see Valentina. From that moment, I promised myself I would do it, and I can assure you that if we manage to build a strong connection with these boys, we can achieve the results we want.”