Baldini Names 24-Man, Youth-Heavy Italy Squad for June Friendlies
The Under-21 coach intends to use the matches to evaluate emerging players with Gianluigi Donnarumma acting as the senior guide.
Overview
- Baldini announced the 24-man squad on Monday for friendlies in Luxembourg on June 3 and Crete on June 7.
- The selection includes 19 senior debutants and has an average age of 20 years and six months, with almost half the players lacking Serie A experience.
- Gianluigi Donnarumma is the lone established senior and has been named captain to provide leadership to the inexperienced group.
- Three Borussia Dortmund players — Filippo Mane, Luca Reggiani and Samuele Inacio — are in the squad and several other call-ups play for clubs outside Italy.
- Players will gather at the national training centre in Coverciano on May 28, four omitted young players will join training through May 31, and Baldini remains a temporary coach while the FIGC seeks a permanent successor.