Italy’s training camp is continuing at Coverciano ahead of the friendly against Uruguay and the World Cup Qualifier against Liechtenstein on 7th June in Nice and 11th June in Udine respectively. The Azzurri went through the first of two sessions in the morning before a later session in the afternoon. Tomorrow, the five Juventus players (Buffon, Barzagli, Chiellini, Bonucci and Marchisio) will join the rest of the squad after their involvement yesterday in the Champions League and some players will move to the Under-21 squad who have been training since yesterday in Trigoria, Rome.
“I don’t believe that Italian football comes out looking reduced by the defeat of Juventus in Cardiff,” said Gian Piero Ventura in his press conference as he also offered his thoughts to those hurt in Turin watching the game on big screens in Piazza San Carlo. “90 minutes can’t cancel out an entire season. I agree with the comments made by the Juventus President Agnelli in that it was an extraordinary season where the cherry on top of the cake was the only thing missing. A week ago, I asked the Juventus players if I could count on them and they enthusiastically said yes. Knowing their professionalism, I believe that they will arrive here with a desire to do well.”
While the Uruguay match is a friendly, the Manager stressed its importance. “We’re taking on a good side and this will give us the chance to evaluate things from a technical and tactical perspective. Furthermore, as I’ve already said, we’re proud to have climbed some places in the rankings and a win against Uruguay would be another step forward to put us among the top sides in the chance that we have to qualify for the World Cup through the playoffs.”
Accompanying Ventura at the press conference was the fitness coach Gianni Brignardello who has been testing the Azzurri players in recent days. “We did these tests to get a picture of the team at this point of the season,” he said. “They’ll keep being evaluated so that we can prepare as well as possible for the major tournament next year.”
Italy vs. Uruguay: Italy will be playing for the second time in Nice. The Allianz Riviera will see two of the most successful teams in world football meet. Italy can boast of four World Cups, one European Championship while Uruguay have won two World Cups, 15 Copa Americas and two Olympic gold medals.
Italy vs. Liechtenstein: Four days after the match in France, Italy will be back in European Qualifying action. Liechtenstein can’t be underestimated as the Azzurri look to remain at the top of Group E with Spain who face FYR Macedonia at the same time in Skopje. Albania will face Israel in Haifa. It will be the last match of the season for the Azzurri in Udine before they return against Spain in Madrid on 2n September in a crucial fixture.
Udine Città Azzurra. For the match, the Friulian city will welcome Italy with a number of events promoted by the FIGC and the council to bring together fans, promote grassroots football and the positive values of sport. The World Cup trophies will also be on display along with the Under-21s’ three European Championships at Palazzo Morpurgo.
Social Responsibility. The FIGC will work together with the UNHCR for the match as part of the ‘Together with Refugees’ scheme on with the International Day of the Refugee on 20th June. UNHCR representatives will also be in attendance at UNHCR to see the the final of the Goal! Project.
Squad list
Goalkeepers: *Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Milan), Simone Scuffet (Udinese);
Defenders: Davide Astori (Fiorentina), *Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), *Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), **Mattia Caldara (Atalanta), **Federico Ceccherini (Crotone), *Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Danilo D’Ambrosio (Inter), Matteo Darmian (Manchester United), Alessio Romagnoli (Milan), Leonardo Spinazzola (Atalanta);
Midfielders: Daniele De Rossi (Roma), *Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Riccardo Montolivo (Milan), **Lorenzo Pellegrini (Sassuolo), Marco Verratti (Paris Saint Germain);
Wingers: Federico Bernardeschi (Fiorentina), Antonio Candreva (Inter), Stephan El Shaarawy (Roma), Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli);
Forwards: Andrea Belotti (Torino), Eder Citadin Martins (Inter), Manolo Gabbiadini (Southampton), Ciro Immobile (Lazio).
*Present from June 5th
**Present until June 5th
National Team’s schedule
Schedule for the National Team from 2nd to 11th June
Monday 5th June (AZZURRI PARTNER DAY)
h. 10.30 Training (closed door)
h. 13.00 Access for the media
h. 13.45 Meeting the media (players)
h. 17.00 Training (first 15 minutes open to the press)
At 19:00 the final of the ‘Goal Project!’ will take place on pitch no.2. This is for unaccompanied minors from shelter homes. Media can gain access to the Football Museum from 18:45.
Tuesday 6th June MD-1
h. 10.30 Training (first 15 minutes open to the press)
h. 17.00 AZ charter flight from Florence to Nice
h. 18.10 Arrive in Nice and travel to Stadio Allianz Riviera
h. 18.45 Walk Around
h. 19.00 Press conference for coach and one player
Uruguay’s schedule
h. 10.00 Training at the Allianz Riviera (first 15 minutes open to the press)
h. 11.15 Press conference at the Allianz Riviera
Wednesday 7th June MD
h. 20.45 FRIENDLY MATCH ITALY vs. URUGUAY
Meeting with the media after the match, before then travelling back to the hotel
Thursday 8th June
h. 11.00 AZ charter flight from Nice to Florence
h. 12.05 Arrive in Florence and travel to Coverciano
h. 17.00 Training (first 15 minutes open to the press)
Friday 9th June
h. 10.30 Training (closed door)
h. 13.00 Access for the media
h. 13.45 Meeting the media (players)
h. 17.00 Training (first 15 minutes open to the press)
Saturday 10th June MD-1
h. 10.30 Training (first 15 minutes open to the press)
h. 17.45 Charter flight from Florence to Trieste
h. 18.45 Arrive and travel to the Stadio Friuli in Udine
h. 19.45 Walk around
h. 20.00 Press conference for coach and one player
Liechtenstein’s schedule at the Stadio Friuli:
h. 18.00 Liechtenstein’s press conference
h. 18.30 Liechtenstein training session (first 15 minutes open to the press)
Sunday 11th June MD
h.20.45 QUALIFIER ITALY vs. LIECHTENSTEIN
Meeting the media after the match
Source: figc.it