Cassano hits out at Baldini: ‘Italy play friendlies with kids, huge embarrassment’ | OneFootball

Former Italian striker Antonio Cassano is not a fan of Silvio Baldini’s call-ups to the Italy squad for June friendlies against Luxembourg and Greece: ‘We are making yet another huge embarrassment of ourselves on the world stage.’

Italy will play friendly games against Luxembourg and Greece in June, with the Azzurri led by caretaker coach Baldini.

Temporarily promoted from the U21, Baldini has named a team primarily consisting of debutants, with 19 of the 24 players receiving their first senior call-up.

Captain Gianluigi Donnarumma is the only established player included in the Azzurri squad, but Cassano doesn’t agree with Baldini’s picks.

“We have no coach, we have no FIGC President, we are one of the most prestigious national teams, yet we’ll play friendlies with kids,” the ex-striker said during Viva El Football Podcast via MediaGoal.

“We are making yet another huge embarrassment of ourselves on the world stage.”

Italy have failed to qualify for the World Cup three times in a row, making their last appearance in the competition in 2014.