Italy's Baldini faces Greece with young squad, eyes future building

Crete may be far from North America, but for Italy's football team, it represents the current extent of their reach. The squad, composed of promising young talents and currently managed by interim coach Silvio Baldini, is set to conclude another disappointing international season with a friendly against Greece. Both nations are absent from the upcoming World Cup.

Following a narrow victory over Luxembourg, Baldini's team aims to lay more groundwork for reconstruction. The team awaits the election of a new federal president, who will ultimately steer the national program. Baldini expects to see the same order and discipline displayed against Luxembourg, despite facing a stronger opponent.

"I expect to see the same things we saw last Wednesday, even though the opponent is stronger," Baldini stated at a press conference. "My expectation is not to see a team transformed after three days of work. I want to see them organized, as they were against Luxembourg, to represent the national team with serenity because, first and foremost, they will represent themselves."

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I expect to see the same things we saw last Wednesday, even though the opponent is stronger. My expectation is not to see a team transformed after three days of work. I want to see them organized, as they were against Luxembourg, to represent the national team with serenity because, first and foremost, they will represent themselves.

Baldini is counting on the players' eagerness to impress to avoid a poor showing. His coaching philosophy encourages players to express their technical skills and temperament with maximum freedom. Despite the disappointment of missing the World Cup, highlighted by young player Niccolò Pisilli, this match is a significant step for many, including Pio Esposito and Davide Bartesaghi, who are transitioning from the Under-21 team.

While Hiraklion is not the World Cup stage, the upcoming match is not to be underestimated. A loss against Greece, a team ranked lower, would negatively impact Italy's FIFA standing. This could have consequences for future World Cup qualifying draws, making any further missteps particularly damaging. Baldini expressed confidence in his players, describing them as "special" for their ability to bond off the field and train intensely. He believes that if they play as they train, they will never truly lose, even if the result doesn't go their way.

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They are special, they manage to socialize off the field but then go at a thousand miles an hour in training as soon as they start working. If you do this, you will never lose, I tell them, you can accept the result of the field but without coming out defeated.