Tomorrow Italy Under 21 will be playing against Ukraine of the same age. Coach Carmine Nunziata speaks to the official channels of the FIGC: “It was an important and exciting journey. Every time we entered the pitch we put intensity into it. Then we’ll see each other again in March, which is why we then have to follow the boys, go and visit them. And for this reason, tomorrow’s match will be important to evaluate the level of the team and of those who perhaps played less, it is always the team that makes the difference.”
Nunziata also returns to Empoli’s draw against France: “An important match, against a great team, but in which we made several technical errors and some tactical errors that cost us the goal.” Italy-Ukraine will also be an opportunity for everyone: “A chance that the boys will have to try to exploit. We always have little time to work, in this case we had a little more to improve things and it is a fundamental aspect. Respect we will change something in Empoli: we also need to look at the teams we are going to face each other to gain advantages. In recent days we have tried some things that we hope to see tomorrow.”
It won’t be from the Zanotti match (“If it were a final he would play it, but after Italy-Ireland he was out of action for 20 days and it was right to give the clubs players back in good condition”), while the two Spezia players, Nicolò Bertola and Pio Esposito, will play: ” Spezia are almost at the top of the table, what I expect is that given the climate of euphoria there will be a lot of people at the stadium.” Simone Pafundi will also play: “He has great qualities, we hope it will be an opportunity for him to then be able to play for the club too.”
Finally, a judgment on Ukraine: “A strong team, which has always reached the bottom of World Cups and European Championships. It has physicality behind it and quality up front.” And Italy wants to redeem that 0-4 on June 6th in Aubagne.