Italy Under-21s Coach Gigi Di Biagio is pleased that “finally clubs are giving room to young players” ahead of the friendly with England.
The Azzurrini have qualified for the European Under-21 Championship and visit their English counterparts in Southampton this evening.
“Despite the emergency situation with injuries, this game will allow us to show the quality of the current so-called second choices,” Di Biagio told Rai Sport.
Italy Under-21s Coach Gigi Di Biagio is pleased that “finally clubs are giving room to young players” ahead of the friendly with England.
The Azzurrini have qualified for the European Under-21 Championship and visit their English counterparts in Southampton this evening.
“Despite the emergency situation with injuries, this game will allow us to show the quality of the current so-called second choices,” Di Biagio told Rai Sport.
“Our objective is to prepare players for the senior Nazionale and we are happy when we achieve that. When we see youngsters who play regularly with excellent results, it is very pleasing.
“Finally clubs like Milan, Atalanta, Sassuolo, Torino and others are giving room to young players.”
Some of the Under-21 internationals have made the step up to the senior squad and Milan centre-back Alessio Romagnoli is becoming a regular.
Could he return to the Under-21 side for the summer tournament in Poland?
“Romagnoli must first of all try to earn his place in the senior squad, then we’ll see. Danilo Cataldi can give more and the hope is he can express his full potential.
“Roberto Gagliardini has always had the right mentality and I am pleased for him being in the senior squad too.
“It’s a certainty that soon we’ll see Marco Benassi go to Giampiero Ventura’s team too.”
England: Gunn; Hayden, Chambers, Stephens, Galloway, Chalobah, Ward-Prowse, Baker, Swift, Redmond, Gray
Italy: Gollini, Conti, Biraschi, Caldara, Barreca; Benassi, Mazzitelli, Pellegrini; Ricci, Petagna, Di Francesco