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Kean and Zaniolo broke rules 'several' times, says Di Biagio

Kean and Zaniolo broke rules 'several' times, says Di Biagio

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Moise Kean and Nicolo Zaniolo forced Italy Under-21 boss Luigi Di Biagio to step in after they repeatedly broke team rules.

Italy Under-21 head coach Luigi Di Biagio took action against Moise Kean and Nicolo Zaniolo after repeated breaches of team discipline.

Juventus striker Kean was an unused substitute as the Azzurrini claimed a 3-1 win over Belgium on Saturday to keep their hopes of a semi-final place at the European Under-21 Championship alive.

To what extent Kean and Roma attacking midfielder Zaniolo - who was suspended for the Belgium match - will be involved, should the hosts reach the knockout stages as the best second-placed side in the group phase, is unclear.

Di Biagio claimed the pair failed to respect rules on "several occasions", following reports of them being late for a team meeting, and felt he had to step in.

"We are a group, there are rules," he told reporters.

"If they are not respected several times – I repeat, on several occasions – the coach has a duty to intervene.

"I have the duty to train and educate these boys who have grown with us in a certain way.

"Whether we win or not is irrelevant compared to the importance of the team."

Asked whether Kean and Zaniolo would be involved in any semi-final, Di Biagio replied: "I will answer that in a couple of days."

Kean scored six goals in 13 Serie A outings last season, while Zaniolo also enjoyed a breakthrough campaign – the 19-year-old making 27 appearances in Italy's top flight after joining Roma from Inter.

Kean and Zaniolo broke rules 'several' times, says Di Biagio

Moise Kean and Nicolo Zaniolo forced Italy Under-21 boss Luigi Di Biagio to step in after they repeatedly broke team rules.

Italy Under-21 head coach Luigi Di Biagio took action against Moise Kean and Nicolo Zaniolo after repeated breaches of team discipline.

Juventus striker Kean was an unused substitute as the Azzurrini claimed a 3-1 win over Belgium on Saturday to keep their hopes of a semi-final place at the European Under-21 Championship alive.

To what extent Kean and Roma attacking midfielder Zaniolo - who was suspended for the Belgium match - will be involved, should the hosts reach the knockout stages as the best second-placed side in the group phase, is unclear.

Di Biagio claimed the pair failed to respect rules on "several occasions", following reports of them being late for a team meeting, and felt he had to step in.

"We are a group, there are rules," he told reporters.

"If they are not respected several times – I repeat, on several occasions – the coach has a duty to intervene.

"I have the duty to train and educate these boys who have grown with us in a certain way.

"Whether we win or not is irrelevant compared to the importance of the team."

Asked whether Kean and Zaniolo would be involved in any semi-final, Di Biagio replied: "I will answer that in a couple of days."

Kean scored six goals in 13 Serie A outings last season, while Zaniolo also enjoyed a breakthrough campaign – the 19-year-old making 27 appearances in Italy's top flight after joining Roma from Inter.

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