Gigi Di Biagio told Italy’s Under-21 side they must be “aggressive” in tomorrow’s crunch qualifier with Serbia.
The Azzurrini kick off at the Stadio Adriatico in Pescara on Friday at 20.00 UK time in a must-win game.
Gigi Di Biagio told Italy’s Under-21 side they must be “aggressive” in tomorrow’s crunch qualifier with Serbia.
The Azzurrini kick off at the Stadio Adriatico in Pescara on Friday at 20.00 UK time in a must-win game.
“It is going to be an important match that can take us up the next step towards our final objective, which is qualification for the European Championships and subsequently the Olympics,” said the Coach.
“Unlike friendlies where I have to make sure the players are as concentrated and fired up as in a real game, in this case we need to do the opposite, which is act as if it’s a friendly.
“We must never forget it is a football match and only with the right relaxed frame of mind can we really prove what we can do.
“As we saw in the friendly with Romania last month, when you think a game is easy, that’s when you run into a poor performance.”
There are several Under-21 players who have made the step up to senior level, like Simone Zaza and Alessandro Florenzi, but Di Biagio won’t recall them.
“There is a project here and in my view when a lad reaches the senior Nazionale, he shouldn’t come back down a level.
“We need to be more aggressive and fight for every ball. Serbia are a team with great technique and football culture who move the ball quickly.”
Italy face Cyprus in the next qualifier on Tuesday September 9.
Serbia and Belgium are currently top of Group 9 on 13 points, followed by the Azzurrini on 12.