Baldini ‘surprised by humility of’ Donnarumma and Pio Esposito for U21 style Italy
EMPOLI, ITALY – MARCH 26: Silvio Baldini manager of Italy U21 looks on during the UEFA Under 21 EURO Qualifier match between Italy U21 and North Macedonia U21 at Stadio Carlo Castellani on March 26, 2026 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Interim Italy coach Silvio Baldini was ‘surprised by the humility’ of Gianluigi Donnarumma and Francesco Pio Esposito in a group of largely Under-21 players.
He has been tasked with leading the Azzurri into the final two friendly matches of the season in Luxembourg on Wednesday and in Greece on Sunday.
Promoted from the Under-21 job after Gennaro Gattuso’s resignation, he decided to focus largely on new faces in his squad after the World Cup play-off disappointment.
Baldini temporary Italy coach for 2 games
“I felt emotional before going to the Coverciano ground for the first time, for a whole month leading up to it really,” confessed Baldini on Sky Sport Italia.
“Once you are on that pitch, you’ve got to think about doing your job well, not emotions. Of course there are feelings, otherwise you are not a person, but you’ve got to focus.”
There are a few members of the old guard in the side for these games, above all captain Donnarumma, fresh from a long campaign at Manchester City.
“We were honestly surprised by the attitude of Donnarumma, Pio Esposito and more, who put themselves at the disposal of the group and even thanked them for being welcomed into the team.
“Seeing them so humble and at the same level as the others was wonderful.”
The others are largely from the Under-21 side and are uncapped, so will be given an opportunity to show off the future of the Nazionale.
“I feel there is a lot of talent in this group, they are great players who are in Serie A and this is the moment where they can explode onto the scene,” added Baldini.
“We already saw that kind of development with Marco Palestra and Niccolò Pisilli, who stepped into the big leagues and were part of this group of youngsters.”
Italy are doing well at youth level, particularly the Under-17 and Under-19 tournaments, but seem to hit a brick wall once they have to make the step up to senior football.
