Giancarlo Antognoni, head of the Italian Under 21 delegation, spoke to RAI Sport at halftime of the match between Italy and the Netherlands. “It’s an engaging game, although we lacked a bit in attack. We had a couple of opportunities and didn’t capitalize. We know the Netherlands are strong in possession. For their goal, Poku was very skillful in getting past Palestra and then scoring into an empty net.”
About Miretti: “I noticed him already at Genoa, where he’s playing very well. Tonight as well, he made a brilliant pass that created a chance for an equalizer. I can’t understand why Juventus let him go. These things happen in football, but Miretti is certainly an emerging talent.”
“Many players in the Under 21 squad are playing regularly for their club teams, and this is beneficial for our national team as we approach an important European Championship in June. The more they play, the better their condition will be in the summer. I’ve seen some players who are physically sharper because they’ve had more game time with their clubs. We are observing Koleosho, and those playing abroad also have more minutes under their belt. Hopefully, they will all have significant playing time to be in top form for June. The Netherlands are among the favorites to win the European Championship, so tonight’s match is a significant test, not an easy one. We are holding our own in the best possible way.”