The coach of the U20 team of Italy Carmine Nunziata has given reason why his team failed to beat the Nigeria U20 team at the ongoing U20 World Cup in Argentina.
Italy were the bookmakers favorite going into the game against Nigeria owing to their impressive 3-2 win over Brazil, where they blew the Brazilians away with three first half goals but they failed to reach that level against Nigeria.
Nigeria ended up winning the game 2-0 with goals from Salem Fago Lawal and Jude Sunday leaving Italy with all to do in their final group game against Dominican Republic with Brazil winning 6-0.
” We have to win our next game to progress to the round. Losing in this manner is very disappointing to not just the players but the coaches and the country at large. We have to get it right in our final group game by playing to our level”,he said at the post match conference.
On why his team were second best in the game , the coach said credit should be given to the Nigerian team for the way they played as it denied them the chance to play to their strength particularly in the second half.
” Nigeria is a very good side and deserve to win. They made it impossible for us to play how we want to. It was even in the first half but they made it really hard for us in the second half. Losing to a team that is this good is a very good lesson to the boys”,he stated.
Damian Waziri
