News Focus
- Silvio Baldini tells his young Italy players to show freedom against Greece
- The friendly match kicks off in Heraklion on Sunday at 8:00 PM UK time
- Interim boss handed senior debuts to 15 players in Wednesday’s win over Luxembourg
- Baldini plans more changes to give additional youngsters their first caps
Interim Italy manager Silvio Baldini has called on his young players to express themselves with freedom when they face Greece this weekend.
The Italian team travels to Heraklion for the Sunday evening match, which starts at 8:00 PM UK time (9:00 PM local time). Baldini wants his players to forget about pressure and show their true ability on the pitch.
The coach has already started rebuilding the side. On Wednesday, he gave senior debuts to 15 players during a 1-0 victory away to Luxembourg. Inter Milan striker Francesco Pio Esposito scored the only goal in that match.
Now Baldini is ready to change his team again. He hopes to give more young stars their first international appearances against the Greeks.
“I want to see the same attitude we showed in Luxembourg,” Baldini told Sky Sport Italia. “Even though Greece will offer tougher competition, my players must start the game feeling relaxed.”
He added: “Freedom does not mean you are not focused. It means you can show all the technical quality that Italian football possesses.”
In a lighter moment, Baldini shared stories about his long friendship with Lecce sporting director Pantaleo Corvino, who was present in the television studio. The two men have known each other since their days in semi-professional football.
“We never worked together, so our friendship is honest and true,” Baldini explained. “I know he loves mushrooms. His daughter lives in Florence, so I bring her some when we harvest them at my farm.”
“We both come from poor backgrounds. We started at the bottom with nothing, but we always had dreams. Now we have worked our way up to this level.”