Coach Ladan Bosso has said the Flying Eagles are fitter and will outrun Italy when both teams clash in a decisive U20 World Cup Group D match tomorrow night.
Italy top the group after they beat favourites Brazil 3-2 and Nigeria stopped the Dominican Republic 2-1.
Bosso and the rest of the squad stayed back at the stadium in Mendoza to watch Italy beat Brazil Sunday night.
“We watched the Italy vs Brazil match. Tactically, Brazil were the better team and also the fitter team because in the second half, Italy lost gas (and conceded two late goals),” Bosso declared.
“We’re fitter than both of them.”
The coach said they have the strengths and weaknesses of the Italians as well.
Bosso said it was crucial the Flying Eagles won their opening match against the Dominican Republic.
“We got the three points, that’s most important,” he said.
“Now we hope to put up a better performance against Italy.”
After tomorrow’s game, the Flying Eagles will fly out to La Plata to take on Brazil in a final group match Saturday.
At the 1987 U20 World Cup in Chile, the Flying Eagles lost at the group stage 2-0 to Italy and 3-0 to Brazil.
