Antonio Conte concedes Italy could learn a lot from the
way Belgium continue to produce talented young
players.
Italy head coach Antonio Conte believes his nation are well
behind Belgium when it comes to producing quality young
players.
As part of their preparations for Euro 2016, the two sides meet
in Brussels on Friday with both having won their final four
qualifiers to seal progress to the tournament in France.
Belgium's recent rise has seen them climb to number one in the
FIFA world rankings – an ascent aided by the emergence of
the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne.
And Conte, for whom experienced players such as Gianluigi
Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Pirlo form the backbone of
his regular starting XI, is in admiration at the strides Belgium
have made.
"I expect a great game against one of the favourites to win
Euro 2016," he said.
"They deserve credit for producing young stars and we should
envy the way they have achieved it.
"They are a team with a clear identity, plus they have players
who can win games by themselves with an individual bit of
skill.
"I think Belgium have everything it takes to do well in the future.
"Anderlecht and Standard Liege put their academies at the
disposal of the Federation. That couldn't happen in Italy. We're
a long way off from them in that respect.
"The Azzurri will be fired up [for this match] and so it'll be a
friendly in name only."
way Belgium continue to produce talented young
players.
Italy head coach Antonio Conte believes his nation are well
behind Belgium when it comes to producing quality young
players.
As part of their preparations for Euro 2016, the two sides meet
in Brussels on Friday with both having won their final four
qualifiers to seal progress to the tournament in France.
Belgium's recent rise has seen them climb to number one in the
FIFA world rankings – an ascent aided by the emergence of
the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne.
And Conte, for whom experienced players such as Gianluigi
Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Pirlo form the backbone of
his regular starting XI, is in admiration at the strides Belgium
have made.
"I expect a great game against one of the favourites to win
Euro 2016," he said.
"They deserve credit for producing young stars and we should
envy the way they have achieved it.
"They are a team with a clear identity, plus they have players
who can win games by themselves with an individual bit of
skill.
"I think Belgium have everything it takes to do well in the future.
"Anderlecht and Standard Liege put their academies at the
disposal of the Federation. That couldn't happen in Italy. We're
a long way off from them in that respect.
"The Azzurri will be fired up [for this match] and so it'll be a
friendly in name only."
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