Baldini wants Italy 'ready to prove their freedom' against Greece Italy continue life after Gennaro Gattuso on Sunday, with interim coach Silvio Baldini overseeing their friendly against Greece. The Azzurri, who are set to miss a third successive World Cup, will play their final match of the season at the Pankritio Stadium on Sunday. Under-21s coach Baldini, temporarily in charge while the search continues for Gennaro Gattuso's successor, handed out 15 seniors debuts during Wednesday's 1-0 win over Luxembourg. Italy fielded their youngest starting XI – with an average age of 21 years and 354 days – since their friendly against Austria back in December 1912 (21 years and 308 days). Francesco Pio Esposito scored the winner with his fourth international goal, becoming only the third Azzurri player to net more than three times before turning 21, after Giuseppe Meazza (11) and Gianni Rivera (five). Baldini is likely to shake things up again for the four-time world champions' visit to Greece. "I expect to see the same things we saw in Luxembourg," he told Sky Sport Italia. "Even if the opponents are of a different level this time around. I would like the lads to start the game relaxed, ready to prove their freedom. It doesn't mean that they are not present in the match, but able to bring out all the technical quality at the disposal of the Italy side." The interim boss emphasized the importance of maintaining a relaxed mindset for the players, aiming to showcase the team's technical capabilities without the pressure of high-stakes competition. The friendly against Greece serves as a crucial opportunity for the squad to test new strategies and integrate younger talent into the national team setup.#francesco_pio_esposito #gennaro_gattuso #silvio_baldini #pankritio_stadium #sky_sport_italia
Italy Expand 25-Man Squad for Luxembourg and Greece Friendlies Italy’s national team has finalized its squad for upcoming friendly matches against Luxembourg and Greece, adding Fiorentina defender Niccolò Fortini to the roster. The expansion brings the squad to 25 players, with the group set to travel to Luxembourg on Tuesday for a game scheduled for Wednesday evening. After the match, the team will return to Florence and the Coverciano training center before heading to Greece for a second friendly on Sunday night. Interim coach Silvio Baldini, who was promoted from the Under-21 coaching staff following Gennaro Gattuso’s resignation, initially named a 24-man squad. However, the group was expanded after Baldini decided to include four additional players for training sessions at Coverciano last week. These players included Tommaso Berti of Cesena, Fiorentina’s Fortini, Gabriele Guarino of Empoli, and Atalanta’s Dominic Vavassori. Fortini’s inclusion in the final squad means the group now totals 25 names. Baldini’s decision to add new faces reflects the team’s focus on integrating younger talent and addressing the challenges of a difficult season. The squad failed to qualify for the World Cup, prompting Baldini to prioritize giving opportunities to untested players. Many of the additions to the squad are uncapped, with the coach emphasizing the importance of fresh perspectives as the team prepares for future competitions. The finalized squad includes a mix of experienced and emerging talents across all positions. Goalkeepers are Giovanni Daffara (Avellino), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City), and Lorenzo Palmisani (Frosinone).#greece #italy #luxembourg #silvio_baldini #niccol_fortini
Luxembourg vs Italy Friendly Match: Key Details and Team Insights Luxembourg and Italy will face off in an international friendly on June 3, 2026, at 2:45 PM local time at the Stade de Luxembourg in Luxembourg City. The match will serve as a testing ground for both teams, with Italy under interim management and Luxembourg seeking to build on recent momentum in European competitions. Italy enters the fixture without a permanent head coach, with Silvio Baldini serving as interim manager. Baldini has publicly criticized the Italian Football Federation’s administration and dismissed speculation about high-profile foreign candidates for the role. The Azzurri’s recent form has been inconsistent, marked by a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina and a 4-1 defeat to Norway. Despite these setbacks, Italy remains a top-tier squad with a storied history, though their current struggles highlight the challenges of maintaining consistency at the highest level. Luxembourg, on the other hand, has shown signs of progress in recent international competitions. Managed by Jeff Strasser, the team has secured two consecutive wins in UEFA Nations League C qualifying, defeating Malta 3-0 on March 31. This follows a 2-0 victory over the same opponents just five days earlier. Strasser’s side has also managed back-to-back clean sheets in their last two matches, signaling a growing sense of confidence. However, Luxembourg’s path to success has not been without hurdles, as they suffered three straight defeats in World Cup qualifiers against Northern Ireland, Germany, and Slovakia. The contrast in the two teams’ trajectories makes this match an intriguing encounter. While Italy grapples with internal management issues and inconsistent results, Luxembourg aims to capitalize on their recent form.#silvio_baldini #luxembourg_city #stade_de_luxembourg #jeff_strasser #uefa_nations_league_c
Italy National Team Captain Gianluigi Donnarumma Reflects on World Cup Exit and Italy's Future Gianluigi Donnarumma, the 27-year-old Manchester City goalkeeper and captain of the Italy national team, revealed that he struggled to train for several days after Italy’s heartbreaking 2-1 loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 2026 World Cup play-off final at the end of March. The defeat, which ended Italy’s hopes of qualifying for the tournament, left a lasting emotional impact on the squad. Donnarumma emphasized that the most painful aspect of the loss was not just the failure to qualify but also the subsequent departures of key figures like Gennaro Gattuso, Gianluigi Buffon, and Gabriele Gravina, who had played pivotal roles in the team’s recent history. Despite the disappointment, Donnarumma is set to return to the Italy squad for two upcoming international friendlies against Luxembourg on June 3 and Greece on June 7. His inclusion marks a significant moment for the team, as he is the elder statesman of the current squad, which is led by interim coach Silvio Baldini. Baldini, who typically oversees the Italy U21 team, has assembled a squad of 24 players for these matches, with only Donnarumma, Marco Palestra, Niccolo Pisilli, and Francesco Pio Esposito having senior international experience. During a media session at Coverciano on Saturday, Donnarumma expressed his admiration for the young talent in the squad, acknowledging the challenges posed by the World Cup exit. “Having this wound will do us well in the future,” he said, adding that the team must “start again with this pain and fight back in a strong way.” He described the loss as an “incredible blow,” particularly highlighting the emotional weight of the final penalty miss that sealed Italy’s fate.#gianluigi_donnarumma #gennaro_gattuso #gabriele_gravina #gianluigi_buffon #silvio_baldini
