“We’ll go again tomorrow, and we’ll need to do it quickly with the right sense of enthusiasm, giving space to youth but there’s also a need for patience from whoever loves Italy, be it the eventual National Team Coach or President.” These were the comments from Luigi Di Biagio the evening before the friendly with Argentina in Manchester as the side looks to go again after what happened with Sweden against one of the favourites for the World Cup.
It’s a tough task for Di Biagio as he steps up from the Under-21 National Team as the side must start afresh following a match that still hurts. Italy haven’t beat Argentina for over 30 years, since a 3-1 win in Zurich in 1987. Along with Messi, there will be various other players that the Azzurri know well such as Roma’s Fazio and Perotti, Milan’s Biglia and Higuain from Juventus.
“I don’t know if I’m emotional at the moment but I might be tomorrow,” said Di Biagio. “I have too much to do and I don’t notice these things. The guys are calm, we’ve worked very well in these days. We’ll play in a 4-3-3 but then we might change. It’s a tough match but we have to look to play without thinking of who we have opposite. For me, it will be an important match, we’re hoping to go again straight away and we must wipe the slate clean of all that came before.”
Buffon by Di Biagio’s side in the press conference and ready to describe his place in the squad as goalkeeper and captain. He also responded to critics saying that his is presence is awkward at the moment. “We already knew that Italy is a strange country,” said the Juventus player. “It’s really sensational that there has been this controversy about me when I’ve played for the Azzurri for 25 years. I’ve always been a uniting element and I’ve often denied myself of personal records from a sense of selflessness. In a few weeks, those who’ve written about my presence will change their minds and understand that it’s a controversy that’s unimaginable. I’m not here for a parade but to be useful. I’m 40 but I’m still the Juve goalkeeper!”
Squad numbers for Argentina and England friendlies
Goalkeepers: 1 Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), 26 Gianluigi Donnarumma (Milan), 27 Mattia Perin (Genoa);
Defenders: 19 Leonardo Bonucci (Milan), 4 Matteo Darmian (Manchester United), 2 Mattia De Sciglio (Juventus), 3 Gian Marco Ferrari (Sampdoria), 24 Alessandro Florenzi (Roma), 5 Angelo Obinze Ogbonna (West Ham), 15 Daniele Rugani (Juventus), 11 Leonardo Spinazzola (Atalanta), 21 Davide Zappacosta (Chelsea);
Midfielders: 7 Giacomo Bonaventura (Milan), 23 Bryan Cristante (Atalanta), 20 Roberto Gagliardini (Inter), 14 Jorge Luiz Frello Jorginho (Napoli), 18 Marco Parolo (Lazio), 16 Lorenzo Pellegrini (Roma), 8 Marco Verratti (Paris Saint Germain);
Forwards: 9 Andrea Belotti (Torino), 6 Antonio Candreva (Inter), 25 Federico Chiesa (Fiorentina), 22 Patrick Cutrone (Milan), 17 Ciro Immobile (Lazio), 10 Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli), 12 Simone Verdi (Bologna).
Staff – Coach: Luigi Di Biagio; Assistant Coaches: Massimo Mutarelli and Carmine Nunziata; National Youth Teams Co-Ordinator: Maurizio Viscidi; Fitness Coaches: Vito Azzone and Giovanni Brignardello; Goalkeeping Coaches: Antonio Chimenti and Gianluca Spinelli; Match Analyst: ntonio Gagliardi e Filippo Lorenzon; FIGC Doctors: Enrico Castellacci and Carmine Costabile; Masseurs/Physios: Emanuele Randelli, Fabrizio Scalzi, Maurizio Fagorzi, Alfonso Casano; Osteopath: Walter Martinelli.
The Schedule
Thursday 22nd March
10:00 Training MD-1
16:45 Charter flight from Florence to Manchester
18:15 GMT Arrive in Manchester and transfer to the Etihad Stadium
19:00 GMT. Pitch inspection**
19:15 GMT Press conference MD-1 (Coach and one player)**
Friday 23rd March
19.00 GMT ARGENTINA vs. ITALY Referee: Martin Atkinson (ENG); Ass.1: Lee Betts (ENG); Ass.2: Constantine Hatzidakis (ENG) ; Fourth Official.: Craig Pawson (ENG)
To follow Post-match media activities, return to hotel
Saturday 24th March
11:00 GMT Training at MCFC Sport Centre (Closed)
Sunday 25th March
10:00 GMT Press conference (players)**
11:00 GMT Training at MCFC Sport Centre (Open to the media for the first 15 minutes)**
Monday 26th March
10:30 GMT Training at MCFC Sport Centre (Closed)
17:30 GMT Charter flight from Manchester to London Luton
18:30 GMT Scheduled arrival at Luton and transfer to Wembley Stadium
19:30 GMT Pitch inspection**
19:45 GMT Press conference MD-1 (Coach and one player)**
Tuesday 27th March
20:00 England vs. Italy
Post-match media activity and return to Italy to follow
Note
** Reserved to accredited media for the Argentina and England matches
Source: figc.it