Interim Italy coach Silvio Baldini has put youth at the center of his tenure, selecting a squad of almost completely uncapped players on Friday as the team prepares for upcoming friendlies while missing the World Cup.
Baldini, who took over as under-21 manager following the resignation of Gennaro Gattuso following a World Cup qualifying play-off defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in March, named his 24-man squad in a bid to start a reset in Italian football.
“I’ve seen a lot of fans cheering because they’ve seen a change, but I don’t do it to show off,” the 67-year-old said. «The message is clear: Italian football wants to see change. I am convinced that the boys will do very well.»
Baldini took aim at the culture of Serie A clubs, which he blamed for hindering the development of domestic talent by favoring short-term market profits over academy products.
“Italian football is in the hands of directors who think about their own interests and not about the growth of the game,” he said.
«What is the advantage of signing a 39-year-old player instead of finding a player in the academy? Young people bring enthusiasm, rhythm and speed. The older players tend to control their efforts and attack less.»
«At youth level, the national teams have always done well, but the problem is always the jump to the senior team. We have to let them play, but it is not a problem for the federation, it is a problem for the clubs,» he added.
Italy plays against Luxembourg on Wednesday and then plays against Greece on June 7.
Published on May 30, 2026
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