'They're a very strong team' - Chelsea's Italy U20 star Casadei wary of Flying Eagles  

Chelsea's Italy U20 international Cesare Casadei has admitted that Gli Azzurrini will be facing a formidable opponent in Nigeria when both nations clash at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza on Wednesday in a Group D fixture at the ongoing FIFA U20 World Cup. 

One of the most talented Italian players, Casadei sealed a move to Chelsea from Inter Milan last summer for a guaranteed fee of fifteen million euros, plus another five million euros in performance-related add-ons. 

The central midfielder was loaned out to Reading for the second half of the 2022-2023 season, making fifteen appearances in the physically-demanding Championship.

Casadei started the World Cup with a bang, scoring a brace and providing an assist as the Italians shocked five-time champions Brazil 3-2 in their opener on Sunday. 

Everything is at stake when the Flying Eagles battle the Italians on Wednesday, with the winner guaranteed qualification to the round of sixteen.

Speaking to ANSA, via Eurosport, Casadei said: "They are a very strong team, we must enter the field with the same spirit as the challenge against Brazil".

Flying Eagles number 10 Victor Eletu, who made his Nigeria U20 debut against Dominican Republic two days ago, knows a thing or two about the Italian players given that he's on the books of AC Milan and features in the Italian Primavera for their U19 team.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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