News Focus
- Greece are angry that Italy plan to use mostly Under-21 players in their June friendly.
- The clash is scheduled for 6 June, but there is now a real risk it will not happen.
- Italy failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup and currently have no permanent manager.
- Silvio Baldini, the Under-21 coach, will take charge of the senior side for this fixture.
- Greece wanted a strong test to prepare for the Nations League, which starts in September.
The Greek Football Federation is reportedly furious with plans by Italy to field a team made up mostly of Under-21 players in their upcoming friendly match. The fixture is set for early June, but there are now serious doubts about whether the clash will go ahead.
Italy failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup following a play-off defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in March. Gennaro Gattuso stepped down as manager after that loss, leaving the Azzurri without a permanent coach.
Silvio Baldini, who normally manages the Italian Under-21 side, will take charge of the senior team for their June matches. Italy are due to face Luxembourg on 3 June before playing Greece three days later. Both games will take place away from home.
Baldini has suggested he will select a squad composed entirely of young players from his Under-21 team. Although captain Gianluigi Donnarumma has offered to play, the coach has stated he will only pick players from the youth ranks.
This decision has not gone down well in Greece. The Greek FA wanted their players to face experienced opponents to help them prepare for the Nations League, which begins in September. They feel a match against a youth side will not provide the right level of competition.
Officials from both countries have been talking since last week to try to solve the problem. However, time is running short. The match is less than three weeks away, and finding a new opponent at such short notice would be very difficult.
Greece have already named their squad for the international break. Interestingly, their official announcement did not mention Italy at all. It only referred to “friendlies in June”.