Baldini gets Italy to train blindfolded after 1-0 win over Luxembourg

Interim Italy coach Silvio Baldini has raised eyebrows, and closed eyes, by getting the Azzurri to train blindfolded ahead of the friendly with Greece.

The Under-21 coach has taken the job temporarily for two friendly matches after Gennaro Gattuso’s resignation and the failed World Cup play-offs.

He already oversaw the 1-0 win in Luxembourg on Wednesday, where he gave senior debuts to 15 players in a totally experimental side.

Now he is preparing for Sunday’s trip to Greece and is taking an unusual approach to the training sessions.

The Nazionale social media accounts released the video of his players doing exercises with a blindfold covering one eye.

#Nazionale #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/NFYMQGFQWX

— Nazionale Italiana (@Azzurri) June 4, 2026

Baldini is not new to this sort of thing, as he already employed the technique at club level with Palermo and Pescara, and again for the Under-21 team.

Seeing only out of one eye affects depth perception, but he also believes that it will help players to use their other senses and not rely too heavily on just one.

He also feels it can make the ‘weaker’ side stronger with use, so covers the ‘dominant’ eye.