Young, talented, and keen to prove they’ve earned their spot in the Azzurri. That’s the profile of the players who have gathered at Coverciano this afternoon for their first training session ahead of the friendlies against Luxembourg and Greece, which will be Italy’s final fixtures of the season before a World Cup that, unfortunately, will take place without the Azzurri. Silvio Baldini will be in charge of Italy. He is already familiar with many of these players after working closely with them at the Under-21 level. During the press conference at Coverciano, the Interim coach noted, “I called up the group I know best, as well as two top-level players like Gianluigi Donnarumma and Francesco Pio Esposito because, with the Olympics in mind as well, I believe these players can be part of our project.”

Captain Donnarumma will bring experience and leadership to a squad where 19 of the 24 players have earned their first senior call-up. With an average age of just 20 years and six months, this Italy will lay the foundations for the future. “I’m certain this squad will do very well. I’ve told them to play with enthusiasm and with the belief that they are the best. Sometimes in life, you’re presented with unexpected opportunities, and the boys can’t afford to let this one pass them by. They need to show their quality, but above all they need to play as a team. You have to help your teammates when they’re struggling and work hard to win the ball back as quickly as possible.” Positive results in Luxembourg and Crete would help Italy maintain their position in the rankings, but Baldini made it clear there is something even more important at stake. “There’s no such thing as a friendly when you play for Italy. You’re playing for pride and honour. We should never lose sight of that. I want these players to understand the responsibility that comes with wearing this shirt. We shouldn’t think of them as kids.”

Italians playing abroad

Several young players are developing abroad, including four currently playing in the Bundesliga: Cristian Chiarodia, Mamadou Mane, Kevin Reggiani, and Inacio, as well as Luca Koleosho, who, following spells with RCD Espanyol and Burnley FC, joined Paris FC in January and has already shown he has what it takes to do well in Ligue 1. “They’ve had opportunities to experience different leagues and different cultures. What they all share is a genuine love for the game. They’re grounded and haven’t been distracted by money or success. I try to make them understand that football is also a way of life, a journey to find the answers they’re looking for.”

Youth academies as a resource

Baldini argues that the issue is not a lack of young talent, but rather a lack of trust in them: “Experience comes from playing,” he emphasised. “If you don’t play, and your experience is limited to just a few matches, you cannot progress. At the youth international level, the Azzurrini have done well; the problem has always been making the step up to the senior side. We need to give young players opportunities, but this isn’t really a federation issue. It’s a problem in Italian football as a whole. If you’re in the transfer market, where’s the advantage in signing a 39-year-old instead of promoting someone from your academy? Young players bring energy, intensity, pace, and enthusiasm.”

Baldini’s future

Looking beyond June, Baldini does not see himself continuing in charge of the senior national team. His focus remains on achieving his targets with the Under-21 side: “This is an unexpected honour for me,” he said. “To coach the national team, you need a certain level of experience, and I don’t have it yet. I have the chance to go to the Under-21 Euros and maybe even win it, and to go to the Olympics and try to win there too. Only then could I really hope for something like this. I believe in merit, not in luck.”

Squad list

Goalkeepers: Giovanni Daffara (US Avellino 1912), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City), Lorenzo Palmisani (Frosinone Calcio)

Defenders: Honest Ahanor (Atalanta BC), Davide Bartesaghi (AC Milan), Fabio Chiarodia (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Pietro Comuzzo (ACF Fiorentina), Costantino Favasuli (US Catanzaro 1929), Filippo Mane (Borussia Dortmund), Marco Palestra (Cagliari Calcio), Luca Reggiani (Borussia Dortmund)

Midfielders: Matteo Dagasso (Venezia FC), Giacomo Faticanti (Juventus FC), Luca Lipani (US Sassuolo), Cher Ndour (ACF Fiorentina), Niccolò Pisilli (AS Roma), Lorenzo Venturino (AS Roma)

Forwards: Francesco Camarda (US Lecce), Luigi Cherubini (UC Sampdoria), Jeff Ekhator (Genoa CFC), Francesco Pio Esposito (Inter Milan), Seydou Fini (Frosinone Calcio), Samuele Inacio (Borussia Dortmund), Luca Koleosho (Paris FC)

 

NB: The following players have also been added to the squad and will take part in preparations for the friendlies from Thursday, 28 to Sunday 31 May: Tommaso Berti (AC Cesena), Niccolò Fortini (ACF Fiorentina), Gabriele Guarino (Empoli FC) and Dominic Vavassori (Atalanta BC).

Note: Costantino Favasuli is authorised to join the squad on 30 May, after completing his club commitments.