Rampant Italy will put the Flying Eagles defence through one of their toughest tests tomorrow night as the U20 World Cup gathers steam in the Argentine winter.
The Flying Eagles back four have not been the solid unit they were at the U20 AFCON in Egypt, where they only let in two goals in five matches.
The defence has conceded six goals in three matches and has failed to keep a clean sheet.
Benjamin Frederick, who was almost flawless in the heart of the back four in Egypt in March, caused the penalty for Dominican Republic goal Sunday.
That again highlighted the frailties that have dogged the team’s defence leading to this World Cup.
The Flying Eagles must be disciplined and organised tomorrow night to avoid an embarrassment against an Italian side who raced into a 3-0 lead by 35 minutes against five-time champions Brazil.
Any slip by a back four of skipper Daniel Bameyi, Solomon Agbalaka, Frederick and Abel Ogwuche will be punished by Italy, who boast of several players who have already featured for the first-team of their clubs.
Skipper Cesare Casadei scored twice against Brazil to justify why Chelsea splashed out 15 Million Euros to sign him from Inter Milan.
Sunday night’s win by the Young Azzuris was the first loss this class of Brazil U20s have suffered leading up to the World Cup.
Bosso’s team have to play a smart counter-attacking game, keep out the Italians and shift gears when they launch their own attacks and make sure they take their chances.
Like AC Milan starlet Victor Eletu has cautioned, the Flying Eagles must have to fight for each other to stand any chance of a result that will push them closer to qualification to the knockout rounds of this tournament.
It is often easier said than done, but this game will test the true character of the Flying Eagles who have yet to be given much of a chance by Nigerians.
And they could do well with some inside information from Eletu himself.
