Gigi Di Biagio believes Marco Verratti and Jorginho “can do much more, but Italy have players who could get into Spain or Brazil teams. We need faith.”
The Azzurri face England tonight in a friendly at Wembley Stadium.
It kicks off at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT), click here for the line-ups and Liveblog.
Gigi Di Biagio believes Marco Verratti and Jorginho “can do much more, but Italy have players who could get into Spain or Brazil teams. We need faith.”
The Azzurri face England tonight in a friendly at Wembley Stadium.
It kicks off at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT), click here for the line-ups and Liveblog.
“I am very happy with Gigi Buffon, as once again he proved how useful he is to the team both on and off the field,” the interim Coach told Rai Sport.
“Lorenzo Insigne had a good game against Argentina, but the lack of a goal made the evaluation of his performance skewed. Marco Verratti can do much more.
“We have players who could get into the teams of Spain or even Brazil. We often denigrate them, and it’s true that for years we have been waiting for that step up, but we need faith.
“The facts say we must improve the side’s character and confidence. Talent isn’t enough, you have to prove it on the pitch and Italy haven’t had the right consistency, which stalled their progress. We must continue with these players.”
Di Biagio assures he has not scrapped the 4-3-3 formation with Jorginho and Verratti together, even if the Paris Saint-Germain star is on the bench this evening.
“The game against Argentina was the first with Jorginho and Verratti together. They did some good things, but must do much more. We can play them together again, but with a different tactical situation.
“I chose Gianluigi Donnarumma tonight because I think we can begin a new era with him.”
Di Biagio is effectively using the Argentina match and this friendly as auditions to keep the Italy role, but faces other contenders including Carlo Ancelotti, Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte.
“Perhaps people don’t realise, and maybe the problem is mine, but I continue along my path and feel no fears, doubts or insecurities. The lads give me their all.
“We lost 2-0 to Argentina on Friday, but up to the 75th minute we were on level terms with the side that finished second in the last World Cup. Why must we try to destroy everything during such a delicate moment?”