Baldini Praises Mancini’s Cooperation as Italy U21 Eye EURO Glory

FolioPitch.com – 09 October 2026 | Italy U21 head coach Silvio Baldini has revealed that Baldini Mancini left us our best players for Poland Barzagli a pleasant surprise, highlighting the strong collaboration between the senior and junior national teams. In an exclusive interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Baldini discussed the Azzurrini’s impressive qualification for the U21 European Championship, his relationship with senior CT Roberto Mancini, and the valuable contribution of former Juventus defender Andrea Barzagli to his coaching staff.

Baldini’s side sealed their spot at the finals in style, thrashing Poland 6-2 in Pescara to overtake their opponents and finish top of their qualifying group. The match was highlighted by a stunning 70-yard strike from Fiorentina midfielder Cher Ndour, a goal that Baldini admits he has never seen the likes of before. “Never,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “I’m happy to be able to say that I saw such a phenomenal goal from a special player like Ndour.”

The coach also opened up about his managerial philosophy, comparing it to speaking in front of people who speak different languages. He emphasized the importance of adapting his communication style to individual players, citing an example with Ahanor, who was brought in from the senior team to cover for injuries. “I could tell from his expression that I wasn’t helping him,” Baldini recalled. “So, at the end of the first half, I went over to give him a hug and calmly explained what he needed to do.”

Baldini’s main message to his players is to cherish the happiness that football brought them as children, rather than focusing on wealth and fame. He also stressed the importance of good behavior, referencing an incident with a ball boy in Armenia.

On the topic of his son, Mattia, who serves on the U21 coaching staff, Baldini dismissed any suggestions of nepotism. “Professionally, he is not my son,” he stated. “He doesn’t have any extra privileges or responsibilities. He gets a lot of love and affection, and he 100% deserves to be with the U21s.”

Andrea Barzagli’s presence on the staff has been a revelation for Baldini. “That’s been a pleasant surprise,” he said. “I would never have believed that somebody with his playing CV would have this level of humility, as if he’d played as an amateur and was still trying to learn the trade.” Baldini revealed that in technical discussions, it is Barzagli who gives instructions and explanations, and he believes the former defender will have a great career as a head coach.

Regarding his relationship with Mancini, Baldini spoke of mutual respect and collaboration. “There’s a lot of collaboration. After all, he did leave us our best players for the matches against Armenia and Poland,” Baldini noted. He also mentioned the key role of Claudio Ranieri, who was with the squad in Pescara and motivated the players with his experience.

Looking ahead, Baldini has set his sights on winning both the U21 European Championship and the 2028 Olympics. “I had hoped to get to the EUROs and now we are going. Now I hope to win it, then go to the Olympics and win them,” he declared. “We have players who are technically sound, and if they play like they did against Poland, those two things are definitely feasible.”

Finally, Baldini hinted that Pio Esposito, who has expressed a desire to play in the U21 EUROs next summer, could be part of the squad if he is not needed by the senior team. “The only one who has given me his availability is Pio if he’s not too busy with the senior national team,” Baldini said. “We hope that there are no hitches and that they’ll leave him with us.”

In conclusion, Silvio Baldini’s leadership and the collaborative environment he has fostered with Roberto Mancini and Andrea Barzagli have positioned Italy’s U21 team as a force to be reckoned with. With a talented squad and a clear vision, the Azzurrini are poised to make a significant impact on the international stage in the coming years. As Baldini Mancini left us our best players for Poland Barzagli a pleasant surprise, the future looks bright for Italian football.