Italy Under-21 coach Silvio Baldini insists ‘there are no friendly games’ at international level, while Cesc Fabregas and Cristian Chivu ‘are good for football, because they teach and are not afraid to play youth.’

The Azzurrini secured qualification for the European Under-21 Championship, which will be played next summer.

Meanwhile, they have two prestigious friendly tests against France on Friday November 13, and Belgium on November 16.

Baldini focus on Italy youth

“As I always tell the lads, there are no friendly games when you are representing the Nazionale, because when you wear the Azzurri shirt, you carry the honour and pride of our country, our culture and our roots,” said Baldini in his press conference.

“We cannot think that we are playing friendly matches. We need to give our best every time, as if it was an official competitive game.”

Baldini had for two games been the interim Italy coach when Gennaro Gattuso resigned in the wake of the World Cup play-off failure, but has returned to his main role with the Under-21 side.

“Youth is vital for our football, and I embraced this role with so much enthusiasm. I also want to thank the media, because you spoke a lot about the fact Italian football was in a tunnel, and the only way to get out of it was to make reforms and have more courage in using young players.

“The responses we’ve seen have been positive at club level. I think of Chivu at Inter and Fabregas at Como, talented coaches who are good for football, because they know how to teach players, they set rules, and are not afraid to play youth.

“This is a spell where coaches like this give a big contribution to the development of Italian football, so we are fortunate they are working here in Serie A. Now I hope that others follow their example.”

Several of the Italy Under-21 talents have been promoted to the senior squad for the final two Nations League games against France and Belgium.

They include Milan forward Alphadjo Cisse, Como’s Mattia Liberali, Parma striker Simone Lontani and Crystal Palace defender Honest Ahanor.

Brentford talent Michael Kayode had already made the step up along with Sporting midfielder Issa Doumbia and Roma’s Niccolò Pisilli.