Italy U21 coach Paolo Nicolato concedes the Azzurrini ‘will suffer’ against Sweden tomorrow: ‘It’s a crucial match.’
The Azzurrini host Sweden at Monza’s U Power Stadium on Tuesday, October 12, at 16.30 UK time.
The Scandinavians are the Group F leaders in the European qualifiers but have a game in hand.
Earlier last week, Italy beat Bosnia 2-1 with two assists from Milan starlet Sandro Tonali.
“The game against Sweden will be a crucial one,” Nicolato said at his pre-match press conference, as quoted by La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“We must put in a lot of attention defensively, these games will make us grow. Sweden will have an offensive mentality and will try to keep the ball possession.
“They will make us suffer, we’ve learned that at this level, we can’t take anything for granted.”
Samuele Ricci and Sebastiano Esposito are unavailable due to injuries, while Pisa striker Lorenzo Lucca is in doubt.
The 21-year-old has scored six goals in seven Serie B appearances and has been linked with a move to Milan.
“He had some physical problems, he trained separately yesterday. It is not easy or competitive because he played only 5-6 matches in Serie B and is not used to the international context,” Nicolato said.
“Emotionally, this is not an easy time for him, as he has attracted so much attention.”
MR. Nicolato,
Please remain positive. While this might be a difficult match, we must impose our strength as well.
We have the talent, skill, and intelligence to compete well.
Let’s work for possession as well.
Sweden will play their usual style which is the long ball not possession football not sure who Nicolato has been watching Italy U21 should be able to complete more passes and have more possession but Sweden will be more physical and will be dangerous at set play
Not sure why he’s the coach must be better options
@Sempre Italia
Sweden play their usual style?! That’s a bit of a stereotype.
Sweden haven’t been dangerous at set-plays at all in the U-21 side. 11 of their 13 goals came from playing great football. 2 were scored from corners, and they were down to the hopelessness of Luxembourg’s keeper rather than Sweden’s mythical danger from set-plays.
As for long ball, not one of their goals came from a long ball, nor any of the numerous chances they created that I saw.
As for physicality, Italy are averaging more yellows per game than Sweden.
@Ferban…
That is my concern. Namely, the # of yellow cards we are accumulating. That’s why I hope Nicolato focuses on improving our technical midfield play.
The # of yellow andvred cards we accumulated in this last U21 tournament was simply unacceptable. We need to play with greater speed and passing technique.
Thoughts?
whether its the full national side or U21 don’t know why Italy commit so many fouls when they have the ability and skill,
Sweden players are more physical but use their physicality to their advantage without fouling as much which is a big difference whereas Italy commit silly annoying fouls which eventually will cost them big time,
I agree with @sempre italia that there must be a better coach out there for U21 the likes of Pirlo, Pippo Inzaghi ext.
since Nicolato took over the U21 disciplinary record is terrible and he hasn’t mentioned a word about it.