Italy head coach Carmine Nunziata has acknowledged that his team struggled to handle the physicality of the Flying Eagles during their Group D match at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup on Wednesday.
The Gil Azzurrini suffered a 2-0 defeat in the game, which took place at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza.
Nigeria took the lead in the 61st minute when Salim Fago capitalized on a delightful cross from Tochukwu Nnadi. In the dying moments of stoppage time, winger Jude Sunday intercepted a long ball from goalkeeper Chijioke Aniagboso and scored the second goal for Nigeria.
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“It was a difficult match, especially on a physical level,” admits Nunziata told the Italian Football Federation’s (FIGC) official website.
“Nigeria was going twice as fast as us. We had the occasion of the crossbar and we could have made better use of the spaces.
“Instead we made a lot of mistakes on a technical level and in the end it’s normal to get into trouble as the minutes go by. Now we need to regain strength, play a great game against the Dominican Republic and go through.”
Italy will face the Dominican Republic in their final group game on Saturday.
