Five years have passed since Jorge Luiz Frello Filho, known to all as Jorginho, first wore the Azzurri shirt. It was Devis Mangia who called him up to the Under-21 National Team for the match against Spain in Siena in what was a prelude for the final six months later that Spain in Jerusalem. His senior debut came on March 2016 against Spain and he’s since made three international appearances overall with the most recent being the toughest after he started on 13th November in the return leg of the play-off against Sweden that ended with tears at San Siro.
Despite the failure to qualify for Russia 2018, Jorginho has no regrets about his decision to play for Italy. “I always wanted to play for Italy,” he said in a press conference. “This country gave me the chance to become a footballer and I’m very proud of the decision that I made. We believed a lot in the World Cup, we gave everything but we weren’t able to make it. There was lots of enthusiasm but unfortunately we didn’t make the most of the opportunity. Now, we must look to the future.”
The immediate future consists of two friendlies against Argentina and England who are two teams that will provide a valuable test for the side. “We need to believe in the new project and the Coach’s ideas. We must be united to start again, it’s not easy but we need to do it. The Argentina friendly is very important because when you play against teams of this calibre, you have a great chance to see what level you’re at and see where you need to improve. We must be positive and believe in the work that we’ve been doing in these days. We need to play our game and look to be dangerous when we get the chance.”
On Monday, Di Biagio stated in his press conference that Verratti and Jorginho can play together. “To play with him is very easy, he has great quality. I’m comfortable in a three-man midfield, the guys are all quality players and they have the characteristics to play good football. I also don’t have problems in a two-man central midfield, even if I prefer the three-man option.”
A key figure in Maurizio Sarri’s system, Jorginho is a vital player in a team that has earned admirers across the world. “Every single one of us must bring something from our clubs to the National Team. Me and Lorenzo Insigne need to bring this style of play on the floor, it would be important and attractive. We must be brave enough to play our game. Over 90 minutes, there will be chances to hurt the opponent. Di Biagio says that we need to enjoy ourselves in possession and I believe that he’s right.”
The Napoli midfielder has retained his sense of humility from the start of his career: “I always want to develop and improve. Once you think you’ve made it, you decline.” He’s also ready to help the new arrivals in the squad. “Chiesa and Cutrone? I can see that they’re calm, the group is young. They feel at ease, we need to have faith in them.”
Squad list
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Milan), Mattia Perin (Genoa);
Defenders: Leonardo Bonucci (Milan), Matteo Darmian (Manchester United), Mattia De Sciglio (Juventus), Gian Marco Ferrari (Sampdoria), Alessandro Florenzi (Roma), Angelo Obinze Ogbonna (West Ham), Daniele Rugani (Juventus), Leonardo Spinazzola (Atalanta), Davide Zappacosta (Chelsea);
Midfielders: Giacomo Bonaventura (Milan), Bryan Cristante (Atalanta), Roberto Gagliardini (Inter), Jorge Luiz Frello Jorginho (Napoli), Marco Parolo (Lazio), Lorenzo Pellegrini (Roma), Marco Verratti (Paris Saint Germain);
Forwards: Andrea Belotti (Torino), Antonio Candreva (Inter), Federico Chiesa (Fiorentina), Patrick Cutrone (Milan), Ciro Immobile (Lazio), Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli), Simone Verdi (Bologna).
Staff – Coach: Luigi Di Biagio; Assistant Coaches: Massimo Mutarelli and Carmine Nunziata; National Youth Teams Co-Ordinator: Maurizio Viscidi; Fitness Coaches: Vito Azzone and Giovanni Brignardello; Goalkeeping Coaches: Antonio Chimenti and Gianluca Spinelli; Match Analyst: ntonio Gagliardi e Filippo Lorenzon; FIGC Doctors: Enrico Castellacci and Carmine Costabile; Masseurs/Physios: Emanuele Randelli, Fabrizio Scalzi, Maurizio Fagorzi, Alfonso Casano; Osteopath: Walter Martinelli.
The Schedule
Wednesday 21st March
10:00 Training (CLOSED)
13:15 Press Conference (Players)
15:30 Training (Open to the media for the first 15 minutes)
Thursday 22nd March
10:00 Training MD-1
16:45 Charter flight from Manchester to London
18:15 GMT Arrive in Manchester e transfer all’ Etihad Stadium
19:00 GMT. Pitch inspection**
19:15 GMT Press conference MD-1 (Coach and one player)**
Friday 23rd March
19.00 GMT ARGENTINA vs. ITALY Referee: Martin Atkinson (ENG); Ass.1: Lee Betts (ENG); Ass.2: Constantine Hatzidakis (ENG) ; Fourth Official.: Craig Pawson (ENG)
To follow Post-match media activities, return to hotel
Saturday 24th March
11:00 GMT Training at MCFC Sport Centre (Closed)
Sunday 25th March
10:00 GMT Press conference (players)**
11:00 GMT Training at MCFC Sport Centre (Open to the media for the first 15 minutes)**
Monday 26th March
10:30 GMT Training at MCFC Sport Centre (Closed)
17:30 GMT Charter flight from Manchester to London Luton
18:30 GMT Scheduled arrival at Luton and transfer to Wembley Stadium
19:30 GMT Pitch inspection**
19:45 GMT Press conference MD-1 (Coach and one player)**
Tuesday 27th March
20:00 England vs. Italy
Post-match media activity and return to Italy to follow
Note
** Reserved to accredited media for the Argentina and England matches.
Source: figc.it