If Carmine Nunziata wants to see one thing from his U21 side, it is intensity. The Azzurrini boss, ahead of the U21s’ second EURO qualifier, said it many times in his press conference ahead of Tuesday’s game against Türkiye in İzmit. According to Nunziata, it was intensity that was lacing during Friday’s goalless draw with Latvia in Jūrmala. “We need to up the intensity because Türkiye will come at us and press high,” he said. “Our mistake in the last game was being too slow: we need to think first, be reactive and move the ball upfield quicker.”

On the Latvia game: “I expected more from the team but it’s not easy to do everything a coach asks of you after just three days together. We had six chances and a penalty that we didn’t get given. I’m happy from that standpoint but if you don’t score, your opponents are going to grow in confidence and shut up shop.” But there’s a feeling of strong desire to react in the dressing room: “The boys are training hard and want to have a good game. You can’t improve your physical fitness in three days and, to name one, at the U20 World Cup in Argentina, Casadei would’ve finished off the chances he had against Latvia. But the motivation is different.”

Riccardo Turicchia and Tommaso Baldanzi, who weren’t available in Jūrmala, are ready to help the team. “Baldanzi gives us quality,” Nunziata said. “He can beat his man and is great in his role. He’ll play for sure. I’m pleased to have Turicchia back as well because it’s nice when everyone is available. The game against Türkiye will be difficult. We watched their game against Ireland; the play with the same system as us and have some talented players. They do, however, leave the odd gap in defence so we need to match their intensity.” On starting well: “Results come from how you play. We’ve looked at the Lativa game and learnt from our mistakes. We won’t make them again. We need to faster on the ball and more reaction. We have to give it our all to get a result.”

Standings (matches played in brackets): Lativa (2) 4, Norway(1), Ireland (1) 3, Italy (1) 1, Türkiye (1), San Marino (2) 0