Italy coach Tedino says France are 'a cut above'
Saturday, May 16, 2015
Article summary
Italy coach Bruno Tedino described France as "a cut above" after watching Les Petits Bleus defeat his side 3-0, opposite number Jean-Claude Giuntini commending keeper Luca Zidane.
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• Odsonne Edouard scores twice as France defeat Italy 3-0 in the quarter-finals
• Both of the Paris Saint-Germain forward's goals are cute back-heeled finishes
• Italy coach Bruno Tedino describes Les Petit Bleus as being "a cut above"
• France's Jean-Claude Giuntini praises goalkeeper Luca Zidane's contribution
• The Azzurrini play Croatia in a FIFA U-17 World Cup play-off; France meet Belgium next
Jean-Claude Giuntini, France coach
We were up against a very good Italy team. They've a good side, good technical players and a lot of determination. I was a bit nervous because when you have all the ball and are leading for so long, you're afraid of losing the lead. We did a lot of good things, but to be sure of winning the game we needed to be more effective. Luca [Zidane] made a great save at a very important moment, a moment that could have changed the complexion of the game. He trains very well, he's a very serious goalkeeper and he needs to keep on the same path. Odsonne [Edouard] doesn't practice that [back-heeled goals] in training. I'm very happy that it came off for him, but the most important thing for him is the next chance.
Bruno Tedino, Italy coach
I'm very, very proud of my lads because we were up against a France team who, at the moment, are a cut above. France were making a lot of time and space for themselves and they made us suffer for the first 20 minutes. After that, for the rest of the first half, we played better. Then, in the first 15 of the second, we grew in belief and felt that we could do something as we created a couple of big chances. They don't give away many chances, so if you get two or three and don’t take them it becomes an uphill struggle.
The lads can leave with their heads held high. They played well, but France are a great team and were deserved winners. The players gave their all and need have no regrets. The lads deserve a big pat on the back and we can be hopeful when we take on another very good team in Croatia in the [FIFA U-17 World Cup] play-off.