Ventura keen to introduce youth into ageing Italy squad


Torino's former coach Giampiero Ventura reacts during their Italian Serie A soccer match against Juventus at Juventus Stadium in Turin, October 31, 2015. REUTERS/Giorgio Perottino

(Reuters) - New Italy coach Giampiero Ventura said he was eager to provide more opportunities for younger players in an ageing national team as he builds a squad for the next World Cup in 2018.

First-choice defenders Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, and Andrea Barzagli, are all aged between 29 and 35, while veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, 38, said that he plans to retire after the World Cup in Russia in two years' time.

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