Italy are aiming to make a fresh
start under caretaker coach Gigi Di Biagio when they take on
Argentina in Manchester on Friday and England at Wembley on
Monday.
But the pain of the Azzurri's failure to qualify for the
World Cup in Russia is still being felt acutely.
"The failure to qualify for the World Cup will stay as a
stain on our careers," said forward Ciro Immobile ahead of the
friendlies.
"It'll be even harder in June when we see that Italy are not
in Russia.
"We're really sorry, especially those of us who did not have
a good World Cup in Brazil (in 2014).
"It could have been our chance to bounce back".
Italy Under 21 coach Di Biagio was put in charge of the
senior national team on an interim basis after Gian Piero
Ventura was sacked last year over the Azzurri's failure to
qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1958.
But he is aiming to do well in the friendlies to strengthen
his claim to get the job permanently.
Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC) Deputy Commissioner
Alessandro Costacurta said earlier this month the next Italy
coach will either be Antonio Conte, Roberto Mancini or Di
Biagio.
Former AC Milan, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich coach
Carlo Ancelotti has also been linked to the job.
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