Luigi Di Biagio claims his work with Italy’s Under-21 team is ‘not appreciated’, while Gianluigi Donnarumma’s time with the Azzurrini is ‘over’.
Di Biagio has coached Italy’s U21 side since 2013 but has been criticised for his perceived underachievement with the Azzurrini.
“Our group is difficult, but our objective is to win the European Championship,” said the Coach at a Press conference.
Luigi Di Biagio claims his work with Italy’s Under-21 team is ‘not appreciated’, while Gianluigi Donnarumma’s time with the Azzurrini is ‘over’.
Di Biagio has coached Italy’s U21 side since 2013 but has been criticised for his perceived underachievement with the Azzurrini.
“Our group is difficult, but our objective is to win the European Championship,” said the Coach at a Press conference.
“Everyone asks me to win, but my ambitions are precisely those. Everyone tells me I have a very strong team, but I think I’ve always had what it takes.
“Winning the European Championship would be the icing on the cake. If we don’t reach our objective, it would be a shame to throw away everything we did in these eight years together.”
Italy is the host nation for next month’s European Under-21 Championship, but the former Inter midfielder confirmed Donnarumma would not be in his squad for the tournament.
“Everyone will come from the national team, except Donnarumma,” he continued.
“Despite Gigi giving me ample availability to join up with us, Mancini and I mutually decided that his time with the Under-21s is over.
“Some players have played less in recent months, but this week we’ll try to recover players like [Davide] Calabria and assess [Vittorio] Parigini.”
Finally, the 47-year-old passed judgment on departing Roma captain Daniele De Rossi.
“Daniele could become a great Coach. I told him when I was with the senior team: ‘I need you on and off the field.’
“He can start with the youngsters, but then as soon as possible he must coach the adults.”