Gigi Di Biagio maintains Italy are on the right track with 4-3-3, but still at the very beginning of the journey after a 2-0 defeat to Argentina.
It was the interim tactician’s debut on the senior bench at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, decided by late Ever Banega and Manuel Lanzini counter-attacks.
Gigi Di Biagio maintains Italy are on the right track with 4-3-3, but still at the very beginning of the journey after a 2-0 defeat to Argentina.
It was the interim tactician’s debut on the senior bench at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, decided by late Ever Banega and Manuel Lanzini counter-attacks.
“We must continue with these individuals and this system,” said Di Biagio in his Press conference after using a 4-3-3 formation, similar to the one he implemented at Under-21 level.
“We tried to start moves from the back and press the opposition freely, but we didn’t manage it in the first half because we were up against a fantastic team.
“I saw a good second half, with 30 minutes in which we could’ve taken the lead. We conceded these two goals, it’s disappointing, but this is work that requires patience and slow development. We are on the right track.
“We only conceded the second goal because we were trying so hard to get the equaliser. I’d have been angrier if we had lost 1-0 and didn’t try to get it back on level terms.
“There were some important scoring opportunities against the side that won the silver medal at the last World Cup. Let’s not forget some of our players were on their debuts or first few caps, yet the result was harsh on us.”
Di Biagio’s first substitutions were all on the right flank, replacing Alessandro Florenzi, Marco Parolo and Federico Chiesa, but he insisted this was not damning for those players or their positions.
“We are at a particular stage of the season and I have to evaluate the fitness levels of each individual. There’s no particular reason why the changes were down the right.
“Aside from the single players, I think it’s unfair to compare us to Argentina. We need patience and to be realistic about where we are right now.”
Italy’s next friendly is against England at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday evening.
“I will ask for the team to show the same hard work and dedication they did today, both in defence and attack.”