Baldini: ‘Italy capable of so much more’ even with 15 debutants | OneFootball

Interim Italy coach Silvio Baldini reveals what most ‘worried’ him about giving 15 players their senior debuts in the victory over Luxembourg. ‘They are capable of much better.’

It was a night of debuts for almost everyone involved, as there were eight players in the starting XI getting their first senior caps, rising to 15 by the end of the match.

The coach was making his debut too, as Baldini was promoted from the Under-21 job to become interim CT for this friendly and Sunday’s trip to Greece.

He has the role after Gennaro Gattuso’s resignation and the World Cup play-off failure, so chose to fill the side with young faces.

Baldini launches careers of young Italy players

EMPOLI – 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 (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

“I knew these lads had quality, but also that there were dangers, as many of them were debutants. There were many Italians here showing us how much they love the Nazionale,” Baldini told RAI Sport.

“Nothing can ever be taken for granted, but I felt that it would go our way this evening.”

Italy created quite a few chances and hit the woodwork with Niccolò Pisilli, but barely did damage to Luxembourg.

Niccolò Pisilli plays for Italy against Luxembourg (@azzurri)

“The team created some moves in attack, but is capable of much better. There are some mechanisms that can come naturally at times, but today in the first half many of the movements weren’t being made, so it was tough to get into scoring positions.”

How did Baldini feel about making his own debut on the senior Italy bench, even if it is just an interim role?

“To be honest, I am a bit strange anyway, but when there are games, I rarely feel that emotional. I mainly feel the worry of not being useful to these lads,” replied the Under-21 boss.

CESENA – OCTOBER 10: Silvio Baldini head coach of Italy U21 during the UEFA Under21 EURO Qualifier betweenItaly U21 v Sweden U21 and ad hoc Arena im Ernst-Abbe-Sportfeld on October 10, 2025 in Cesena (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

“A coach mustn’t make the difference when moving a player there or here, but in telling him what he needs to hear at that moment. If you say the wrong thing, you can do damage, throw a cog out of sync in the machine, so I worry about being of use.”