Italy Under-21 head coach Luigi Di Biagio has revealed that he will not be calling on Sassuolo forward Domenico Berardi until he apologises for a mistake he made earlier in the year with the Under-19 squad.
The 19-year-old, who’s co-owned by the Neroverdi and Juventus, was penalised by the FIGC back in May for failing to appear for the Italy Under-19 squad after receiving a call up, and the Azzurrini tactician believes the youngster’s actions were unacceptable.
Di Biagio spoke to Stop & Gol about the rising star, who scored a hat trick in Sassuolo’s 4-3 win over Sampdoria this past weekend, and conceded that issuing an apology would be step forward in his growth as a player and a man.
“If someone makes a mistake then it is right that they pay for it,” said the 42-year-old, who replaced Devis Mangia as Italy Under-21 boss over the summer.
“I’m convinced that before constructing footballers, we have to build men.
“He certainly made a mistake with the U-19 side and it is no coincidence that he was suspended by the Federation as a result.
“He has to ask for forgiveness and understand that he needs to take a backwards step, at that stage we can meet him with open arms as he is an intelligent kid and a great player.
“He doesn’t need to say sorry to me, he’s done nothing to me, but he needs to do it for himself so that he can grow.”
