Di Biagio: ‘Perfect Italy start’

Gigi Di Biagio felt Italy “had a perfect opening half-hour” in their 1-1 draw away to Serbia, but wasted chances.

Danilo Cataldi wiped out the first goal from his Lazio teammate Sergej Milinkovic-Savic in the European Under-21 Championship qualifier.

“We created a great deal, especially in the perfect opening half-hour. I cannot complain, as it was the right performance against another great team,” Coach Di Biagio told Rai Sport.

Gigi Di Biagio felt Italy “had a perfect opening half-hour” in their 1-1 draw away to Serbia, but wasted chances.

Danilo Cataldi wiped out the first goal from his Lazio teammate Sergej Milinkovic-Savic in the European Under-21 Championship qualifier.

“We created a great deal, especially in the perfect opening half-hour. I cannot complain, as it was the right performance against another great team,” Coach Di Biagio told Rai Sport.

“I am very satisfied with my lads this evening. We created clear-cut chances, but also several half-chances that faltered in the final third.

“Antonio Barreca was playing his first game with us and was very positive. We need to improve in every area and if the strikers were to score more goals it’d be helpful for everyone.

“It’s a good point, although we must never be content with a stalemate and we gave everything in order to win here.”

Italy are still joint top with Serbia and host Lithuania next.

“In my life I have never understood what was meant to be an ‘easy’ game.”