Italy’s repechage to World Cup: Greece rages with Azzurri
Football Italy ends up in the storm again. While the new Azzurri technical commissioner is still unknown and dreams of a possible repechage by FIFA in case of Iran’s exclusion from the World Cup are being dreamed up, a controversy has arisen with Greece, the designated opponent for the friendly match next June 7.
According to Greek media reports, the Hellenic team’s coach Ivan Jovanovic has asked the federation to change opponents after the words of ferryman coach Silvio Baldini, who announced his willingness to field a team with many youngsters for the two tests with Luxembourg and Greece. Aside from captain Donnarumma, Baldini would be willing to call up many youngsters, including Pio Esposito, Palestra, Pisilli and Under-21 stars Kayode and Koleosho.
The friendly has been confirmed for the time being and responding to criticism of the Greeks was head coach Giancarlo Antognoni: “It will be the best possible national team at this moment for motivation and perspective: I have read of some controversy in Greece in relation to the fact that some experienced players will be missing. I honestly don’t understand, it is not a lack of respect towards our opponents. The National Under-21 team will not take the field, but a young and strong Italy will take the field.”
“There will be many talented players playing, some who are already a permanent part of the senior national team roster. Many of these youngsters will be called up as early as September when Italy begins its journey in the next edition of the Nations League. We are talking about players who are already protagonists in Serie A, Premier League, Bundesliga and European cups, with an important resume and already several goals to their credit.”
“The fans will be proud of these guys, our future starts now. Baldini is a great coach and a real person, he deserved this opportunity to sit on the bench of the senior national team and I am convinced that he is the right man to accompany these youngsters in an experience they will never forget,” Antognoni concluded to the FIGC official website.
