Interim Italy boss Gigi Di Biagio insists calling Gigi Buffon would not be “a favour, as we need him,” while Mario Balotelli and Marco Verratti are under the spotlight.
The Azzurri are still without a Coach after Giampiero Ventura’s dismissal and the failure to quality for the 2018 World Cup.
Under-21 boss Di Biagio has been put in charge for the upcoming friendlies against Argentina and England on March 23 and 27, with the squad list set to be announced tomorrow.
Interim Italy boss Gigi Di Biagio insists calling Gigi Buffon would not be “a favour, as we need him,” while Mario Balotelli and Marco Verratti are under the spotlight.
The Azzurri are still without a Coach after Giampiero Ventura’s dismissal and the failure to quality for the 2018 World Cup.
Under-21 boss Di Biagio has been put in charge for the upcoming friendlies against Argentina and England on March 23 and 27, with the squad list set to be announced tomorrow.
Buffon has said he is undecided whether to accept a call from the Nazionale, if it comes, as at the age of 40 he had intended to retire from international football.
On the other hand, he might want to bow out in a situation that isn’t the heart-breaking World Cup play-off loss to Sweden.
“We agree on every area for the good of the Nazionale. We are not doing Buffon or anyone else a favour. I need him on the pitch,” Di Biagio told Rai Sport.
“If he doesn’t play, I need him off the field too, for everything that he is. It’s not a courtesy or a kindness, as these are two important and stimulating games.
“Although we have two goalkeepers who are ready to come in, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Mattia Perin, in future we’ll have others that we can count on too.”
It’s widely reported that Nice striker Balotelli will be called up for these two friendlies, but he hasn’t played for his country since the 2014 World Cup.
“I was in Nice a few days ago to see him. He is scoring regularly and doing well. Will I call him up? We’ll see. It takes more than goals to get a call-up, as it’s about performances and behaviour. He is under the microscope and we are watching him.”
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Verratti is also playing in Ligue 1, but his development appears to have plateaued, receiving an avoidable red card in the Champions League against Real Madrid.
“Verratti is one of the brightest talents in Italian football and we must look after him. You media from the outside and us from the inside must help him to develop.
“I hope we’ll be able to get him playing better for Italy from now on.”
Napoli and Juventus are fighting for the Scudetto and Di Biagio was asked if he would try to replicate their approach for Italy.
“I love the way Napoli play and their movements, but it’s not possible for a national team to play like them. There’s no time to do the work in training.”