FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
The new cycle of the Italian national team could begin amidst controversy and uncertainty. The "Blues" have scheduled two friendly matches at the beginning of June, first against Luxembourg on June 3 and then against Greece on June 7, but the organization of the second challenge is facing serious difficulties.
At the center of the debate is coach Silvio Baldini's idea to use a group composed mainly of young players in these matches. With Italy watching the World Cup as a spectator after missing the summer tournament, interest and motivation among the more experienced players is considered low ahead of the summer break.
For this reason, Baldini intends to use the friendlies to test the talents he has been following during his work with the U21 team. The coach's objective is to build the foundations of the future of the Italian national team, giving space to younger and more motivated players.
However, according to reports from Greek media outlet Sport24, the Greek Football Federation does not see this approach favorably. Greece, which also failed to secure participation in the USA-Canada-Mexico World Cup, wants a showdown with a competitive Italy rather than an experimental match against a lineup similar to Team Hope.
The Greek Federation considers this test an important one before the start of the Nations League in September and is looking for a top-level opponent.
Contacts between the two Federations have continued intensively over the past week to find a compromise. For its part, the FIGC defends the coach's right to choose the team according to the technical strategy, arguing that the activation of players such as Donaruma, Palestra, Pisili, Ahanor, Esposito and Bartesagi does not constitute a lack of respect for the opponent.
The situation remains open and there is a possibility of a last-minute change to the friendlies schedule. The international calendar for early June is almost full and the options for new opponents are very limited, which makes finding a solution even more difficult.
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