ROME (ITALPRESS) – “Ours was a well-deserved qualification. It was a difficult round, there were at least three strong teams and we never lost. We scored 27 goals and conceded only four. At times, we also played good soccer and that’s what we want: to get to the result through play.” Thus Carmine Nunziata, coach of the Azzurri Under 21 team, guest of Palla al Centro on Rai Radio 1 Sport, on the qualification for the European Championship won two days ago. Desplanches, Ghilardi, Prati, Zanotti, Baldanzi, Casadei, Esposito and a newfound block after the Under 20: “It was important. Even there are guys I’ve known for four years: starting a two-year term with guys you already know has simplified things. Ours is a team not only with talent but also with important moral values.” The talk of the little space being given to young people has lasted for years in Italy; something is moving but things could and should be better. “Young boys only get better by playing. In the last year many young people are carving out an important space even in Serie A, it’s important for us and for the boys. “Club Italia is a team that encompasses all the Azzurri selections, obviously the relationship between Nazionale A and Under 21 the relationship is more direct. “With coach Spalletti and with all the Under’s there is great harmony,” says Nunziata. “Besides winning, our goal is to give players to the senior national team, as happened with Calafiori and Pisilli. When we get to June, then we will see.” Against Ireland in goal Casadei. “Last year Cesare had a good first half with Leicester, then he went to Chelsea and played little. This year they kept him there, I advised him to watch until January how he goes, if not, it is right to look around for another solution.” Among the most promising talents in the Azzurri nursery is definitely Simone Pafundi. “He is part of this group. The choice was made to have him play in the Under-19 and he did very well. The intention was to bring him up with us, unfortunately he had some physical hiccups. We decided to send him to the Under 20s to get some minutes in his legs. He is part of the Under-21 group anyway.” And then there is Milan striker Francesco Camarda. “Let’s give him some time, he is a player of great perspective, let’s let him grow.” Calafiori and Casadei, two players who have made the most of their experience abroad. “The important thing is that the guys play. If they find a team in Italy, better. But the experience abroad is also formative. For example, Zanotti, after playing in Switzerland, I found him much improved, he has grown so much. “On December 3 the draw in Bratislava, Nunziata respects every possible opponent and stresses, “They are all strong teams, I was impressed by the Netherlands, which finished with full points in the qualifying round.” Finally, the goal for the European Championship that the Azzurrini have won. “It is to try to get to the bottom. We are Italy, we must try to get to the bottom and win.”- Photo Ipa Agency -(ITALPRESS).
