Baldini: ‘Italy Under-21 side needs hunger and intensity’

Italy Under-21 coach Silvio Baldini (@azzurri)

Coach Silvio Baldini wants to see ‘hunger and intensity’ from the Italy Under-21 side against Sweden and Armenia in the European Championship qualifiers.

The Azzurrini opened their campaign with a 2-1 victory over Montenegro and 1-0 win away to North Macedonia in September.

Those were the first matches under new coach Baldini, whose team will be back in action with two home fixtures in the European Under-21 Championship qualifiers.

They will host Sweden on Friday evening in Cesena, then take on Armenia next Tuesday in Cremona.

Italy gave the first call-ups to Frosinone goalkeeper Luca Palmisani, Fiorentina defender Nicolò Fortini, Modena’s Alessandro DellaValle, Juventus Next Gen midfielder Giacomo Faticanti and Catanzaro player Alphadjo Cissé.

FLORENCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 13: Francesco Camarda of Italy U17 looks on during the International friendly match between Italy U17 and France U17 at Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano on February 13, 2024 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

“Once the tension of the debut is past us, we arrive with the same spirit to do well and hope to create consistency from what we saw against Montenegro and North Macedonia,” said coach Baldini in his press conference.

“We saw a positive spirit within the squad and we need this against Sweden and Armenia. It all depends on us and how we go into these games, so we need hunger and intensity, knowing we are representing our country.”

Francesco Camarda finally gets his chance, having been forced to withdraw last month due to injury, and has since scored his first Serie A goal at the age of 17.

“He is an extraordinary lad, he called after the head trauma suffered last month and said he hoped for another opportunity. This shows he is mature and cares about the Nazionale,” added Baldini.

“Camarda knows where the goal is and puts in the effort, knowing where to be in the right place at the right time. That might seem like it’s a coincidence to some, but it really isn’t.”

FLORENCE, ITALY – JANUARY 29: Silvio Baldini during the “Panchina d’Oro” award season 2022/2023 at Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano on January 29, 2024 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Italy Under-21 squad

Goalkeepers: Tommaso Martinelli (Fiorentina), Diego Mascardi (Spezia), Lorenzo Palmisani (Frosinone)

Defenders: Davide Bartesaghi (Milan), Alessandro Dellavalle (Modena), Niccolò Fortini (Fiorentina), Gabriele Guarino (Empoli), Riyad Idrissi (Cagliari), Filippo Mane (Borussia Dortmund), Luca Marianucci (Napoli), Brando Moruzzi (Empoli), Marco Palestra (Cagliari)

Midfielders: Tommaso Berti (Cesena), Alphadjo Cisse (Catanzaro), Matteo Dagasso (Pescara), Giacomo Faticanti (Juventus), Luca Lipani (Sassuolo), Cher Ndour (Fiorentina), Niccolò Pisilli (Roma)

Forwards: Francesco Camarda (Lecce), Luigi Cherubini (Sampdoria), Jeff Ekhator (Genoa), Seydou Fini (Genoa), Luca Koleosho (Espanyol), Simone Pafundi (Sampdoria).

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