Italy U21, Baldini on the Kayode Mystery: "I had called him up, but..."

It's the eve of the matchday for Silvio Baldini's Italy Under 21 squad. Ahead of their clash with North Macedonia, which is the seventh matchday in Group E of the qualifiers for the upcoming European Championship, the Azzurrini's head coach spoke at a press conference. He presented the first of two upcoming fixtures, as the team will also face Sweden away on Tuesday. The conference also served as an opportunity to clarify the 'Kayode case,' regarding his arrival at the training camp under different circumstances than his national teammates.

Italy U21, Coach Baldini: 'We Must Play with Enthusiasm'

Tomorrow, Italy U21 will face North Macedonia in a match crucial for solidifying their second place in the group and keeping alive their remaining hopes for direct qualification to the next European Championship. During the press conference, Silvio Baldini first focused on his squad selections and the team's current form: 'We must play with enthusiasm and a desire to show who we are. This is a beautiful group that has grown immensely, as the statistics confirm. We need to demonstrate this on the pitch with a strong performance. I have a group of amazing, wonderful lads. There's joy in being together; every day they show they want to improve, they are positive and enjoy each other's company while remaining professional. They do things correctly, and being among them is a divine gift.'

Baldini on North Macedonia: 'There Are No Easy Matches'

No drop in intensity. Silvio Baldini wants his team to play well and win, even against an seemingly less prominent opponent like North Macedonia: 'In today's football, there are no easy matches. North Macedonia plays in a 4-4-2 formation with a striker and an attacking midfielder, featuring wingers who exploit deep runs with long balls; we know how they intend to play. They certainly possess technical qualities, but it will depend on how we approach them. If we can remain focused and have the right desire to demonstrate our worth, we can achieve a great result, both in terms of the score and the overall performance,' emphasized the Azzurrini's head coach.