Without Donnarumma who made his senior debut the night before, plus the inured Mandragora and Berardi, Di Biagio went with a 4-4-2. Alessio Romagnoli was at the heart of the defence after being ‘borrowed’ from Ventura’s side to offer quality and experience. In midfield, Cataldi and Mazzitelli were entrusted to run the engine room with the captain Benassi and Verre on the flanks. Up front, Rossetti and Cerri started with both after their third Italy goal.
A draw or win would have been a positive result for Italy as Di Biagio explained in advance and in such situations, it’s better to avoid making too many calculations. The Azzurrini were ready to go and the scorer from the previous encounter Danilo Catadli looked to find the net from distance in the 11th minute. Mazzitelli lost the ball as Serbia had their first real chance but Gacinovic wasn’t able to convert Milinkovic-Savic’s high ball. Gacinovic was among the liveliest players as he created things down the right and Meleg hit the post from a corner with Cragno beaten. The pace wasn’t very high considering the heat and Serbia insisted on knocking the ball around while waiting for space to open up. The opening goal came in the 33rd minute with a thunderous strike by Grajic who beat Cragno from the edge of the area. Italy felt the effect of the goal and risked going 2-0 down soon after as Grunjic narrowly missed the goal with a header. Something had to change and the Azzurrini came back out with the right attitude. Alessio Romagnoli had two chances to level early into the second half. Then in the 53rd minute Rossetti was brought down by the goalkeeper and the referee Del Cerro pointed to the spot. Cerri made no mistake with a precise shot into the corner beyond Milinkovic-Savic. Di Francesco’s arrival brought energy to the side and the Bologna attacker went close twice to making it 2-1. The sides inevitably dropped off towards the end with Milinkovic-Savic misplacing the final ball after a good move. At the other end, Mazzitelli wasn’t able to find a way through from a free kick won by the lively Di Francesco. In the end, Cerri was able to make an important intervention to see off the final way of Serbia’s attacks. “In the first half we weren’t able to up the tempo,” said Di Biagio. “They did well in possession. We weren’t able to assert ourselves but we reacted brilliantly and this allowed us to take home a vital point. Credit to them as they are a great side. Credit to my boys also because they were able to take the strain when not playing at their best.” Alberto Cerri can celebrate after scoring a goal which opens various possible routes to qualification. “The team deserves the credit, not me,” said the Spal attacker. “We started slowly but we played a good game against a great Serbia.” The side will play on Tuesday in Spezia at 18:30 CEST against Andorra in the penultimate group game where three points will mean the European Championship really is just a step away.


Group Two Standings – ITALY 20 points, Slovenia 15, Serbia 14, Republic of Ireland 9, Lithuania 6, Andorra 3

The Squad Goalkeepers: Alessio Cragno (Benevento), Alex Meret (Spal), Simone Scuffet (Udinese);
Defenders: Davide Biraschi (Avellino), Arturo Calabresi (Brescia), Davide Calabria (Milan), Mattia Caldara (Atalanta), Andrea Conti (Atalanta), Adam Masina (Bologna), Nicola Murru (Cagliari), Filippo Romagna (Juventus), **Alessio Romagnoli (Milan);
Midfielders: Marco Benassi (Torino), Danilo Cataldi (Lazio), Alberto Grassi (Napoli), Luca Mazzitelli (Sassuolo); Lorenzo Pellegrini (Sassuolo), Valerio Verre (Pescara);
Forwards: *Domenico Berardi (Sassuolo), Alberto Cerri (Spal), Federico Di Francesco (Bologna), Luca Garritano (Cesena), Gaetano Monachello (Bari), Vittorio Parigini (Chievo Verona), Federico Ricci (Roma), Valerio Lorenzo Rosseti (Lugano).
*Injured, he has left the squad
**He joined the squad from the senior side Staff – Delegation head: Giancarlo Antognoni; Accompanying director Vincenzo Martinelli; Coach: Luigi Di Biagio; Assistant coach: Carmine Nunziata; Secretary: Emiliano Cozzi; Goalkeeping coach: Antonio Chimenti; Fitness coach: Vito Azzone; Doctors: Angelo De Carli and Luca Gatteschi; Physiotherapists: Enzo Paolini, Guido Mauro Ferrini and Maurizio Fagorzi; Equipment managers: Claudio Gagliardi and Andrea Russo. Schedule  Saturday 3rd September
10:30 training at the Stadio in Caldogno (behind closed doors) Sunday 4th September
10:30 training at the Stadio in Caldogno (open to the public)
16:30 transfer to Hotel Europa in La Spezia Monday 5th September
12:30 Press Conference at La Spezia Council Chambers (coach)
17:30 training at the Stadio Alberto Picco in La Spezia (first 15’ open to press) Tuesday 6th September
18:30 ITALY-ANDORRA at the Stadio Alberto Picco in La Spezia. Meeting with press at full-time followed by return of players to their clubs. ]]>

 
Also at the table was the delegation head Giancarlo Antognoni and the operations manager for the national sides Giorgio Bottaro who repeated president Carlo Tavecchio’s best wishes as he commented on the goodwill shown by the host city. “The administrative structure, the club and the local area have shown again that this region has a strong love for the Azzurri shirt. This is an important week for our federation and I want to take the opportunity to make an appeal to the fans: come to the stadium as we need the passion of the Vicenza crowds.” From the right of the photo: Vicenza Calcio director general Andrea Gazzoli, Assessor for sport at Vicenza council Umberto Nicolai, Under-21 delegation head Giancarlo Antognoni, the mayor of Vicenza Achille Variati, Under-21 coach Luigi Di Biagio and the operations manager for the national sides Giorgio Bottaro. The Squad Goalkeepers: Alessio Cragno (Benevento), Alex Meret (Spal), Simone Scuffet (Udinese);
Defenders: Davide Biraschi (Avellino), Arturo Calabresi (Brescia), Davide Calabria (Milan), Mattia Caldara (Atalanta), Andrea Conti (Atalanta), Adam Masina (Bologna), Nicola Murru (Cagliari), Filippo Romagna (Juventus), **Alessio Romagnoli (Milan);
Midfielders: Marco Benassi (Torino), Danilo Cataldi (Lazio), Alberto Grassi (Napoli), Luca Mazzitelli (Sassuolo); Lorenzo Pellegrini (Sassuolo), Valerio Verre (Pescara);
Forwards: *Domenico Berardi (Sassuolo), Alberto Cerri (Spal), Federico Di Francesco (Bologna), Luca Garritano (Cesena), Gaetano Monachello (Bari), Vittorio Parigini (Chievo Verona), Federico Ricci (Roma), Valerio Lorenzo Rosseti (Lugano).
*Injured, he has left the squad
**He joined the squad from the senior side
Staff – Delegation head: Giancarlo Antognoni; Accompanying director Vincenzo Martinelli; Coach: Luigi Di Biagio; Assistant coach: Carmine Nunziata; Secretary: Emiliano Cozzi; Goalkeeping coach: Antonio Chimenti; Fitness coach: Vito Azzone; Doctors: Angelo De Carli and Luca Gatteschi; Physiotherapists: Enzo Paolini, Guido Mauro Ferrini and Maurizio Fagorzi; Equipment managers: Claudio Gagliardi and Andrea Russo. Group Two Standings: ITALY 19 points, Slovenia 15, Serbia 13, Republic of Ireland 9, Andorra and Lithuania 3
 
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  Squad list Goakeepers: Alessio Cragno (Benevento), Alex Meret (Spal), Simone Scuffet (Udinese);
Defenders: Davide Biraschi (Avellino), Arturo Calabresi (Brescia), Davide Calabria (Milan), Mattia Caldara (Atalanta), Andrea Conti (Atalanta), Adam Masina (Bologna), Nicola Murru (Cagliari), Filippo Romagna (Juventus), **Alessio Romagnoli (Milan);
Midfielders: Marco Benassi (Torino), Danilo Cataldi (Lazio), Alberto Grassi (Napoli), Luca Mazzitelli (Sassuolo); Lorenzo Pellegrini (Sassuolo), Valerio Verre (Pescara);
Forwards: *Domenico Berardi (Sassuolo), Alberto Cerri (Spal), Federico Di Francesco (Bologna), Luca Garritano (Cesena), Gaetano Monachello (Bari), Vittorio Parigini (Chievo Verona), Federico Ricci (Roma), Valerio Lorenzo Rosseti (Lugano).
 
*injured, left squad
**joined squad 31/08 after being called up to senior side Staff – Head of Delegation: Giancarlo Antognoni; Accompanying Director: Vincenzo Martinelli; Head Coach: Luigi Di Biagio; Assistant Coach: Carmine Nunziata; Secretary: Emiliano Cozzi; Goalkeeping Coach: Antonio Chimenti; Fitness Coach: Vito Azzone; Team Doctors: Angelo De Carli and Luca Gatteschi; Physiotherapists: Enzo Paolini, Guido Mauro Ferrini and Maurizio Fagorzi; Kitmen: Claudio Gagliardi and Andrea Russo. Group 2 Table – ITALY 19 points, Slovenia 15, Serbia 13, Republic of Ireland 9, Andorra & Lithuania 3 Schedule Wednesday 31st August
10:00  training (behind closed doors)
15:50  train from Rome to Padua and transfer to Vicenza Thursday 1st September
12:30 Press conference at Vicenza Council Chambers (coach)
16:30 Training at the Stadio Romeo Menti in Vicenza (first 15’ open to press)
           
Friday 2nd September
18:30 ITALY-SERBIA at the Stadio Romeo Menti in Vicenza      
Meeting with press at full-time followed by return to hotel Saturday 3rd September
10:30 training at the Stadio in Caldogno (behind closed doors) Sunday 4th September
10:30 training at the Stadio in Caldogno (open to the public)
16:30 transfer to Hotel Europa in La Spezia Monday 5th September
12:30 Press Conference at La Spezia Council Chambers (coach)
17:30 training at the Stadio Alberto Picco in La Spezia (first 15’ open to press) Tuesday 6th September
18:30 ITALY-ANDORRA at the Stadio Alberto Picco in La Spezia. Meeting with press at full-time followed by return of players to their clubs. ]]>

 
Benassi hopes to soon break into Ventura’s Azzurri squad, having got to know the coach well at Torino: “To be called up for the senior side is everyone’s dream. I’m looking to work at my best this week and when I play for the U-21s, I always give everything. I’m struck when I see Ventura as the Italy coach, it was right to give him this opportunity both for his qualities as a coach and as a human being. He’s a really wonderful person.”
 
The U-21 team leave for Vicenza tomorrow and the match against Serbia will be officially presented in the Sala degli Stucchi at the Palazzo Trissino at 12:30 on Thursday in a press conference with mayor Achille Variati and Vicenza Calcio CEO Andrea Gazzoli.
 
The photos shows Benassi speaking with Luigi Di Biagio Squad list Goalkeepers: Alessio Cragno (Benevento), Alex Meret (Spal), Simone Scuffet (Udinese);
Defenders: Davide Biraschi (Avellino), Arturo Calabresi (Brescia), Davide Calabria (AC Milan), Mattia Caldara (Atalanta), Andrea Conti (Atalanta), Adam Masina (Bologna), Nicola Murru (Cagliari), Filippo Romagna (Juventus);
Midfielders: Marco Benassi (Torino), Danilo Cataldi (Lazio), Alberto Grassi (Napoli), Luca Mazzitelli (Sassuolo); Lorenzo Pellegrini (Sassuolo), Valerio Verre (Pescara);
Forwards: Domenico Berardi* (Sassuolo), Alberto Cerri (Spal), Federico Di Francesco (Bologna), Luca Garritano (Cesena), Gaetano Monachello (Bari), Vittorio Parigini (Chievo Verona), Federico Ricci (Roma), Valerio Lorenzo Rosseti (Lugano). *unavailable through injury
 
Staff – Head of Delegation: Giancarlo Antognoni; Accompanying Director: Vincenzo Martinelli; Head Coach: Luigi Di Biagio; Assistant Coach: Carmine Nunziata; Secretary: Emiliano Cozzi; Goalkeeping Coach: Antonio Chimenti; Fitness Coach: Vito Azzone; Team Doctors: Angelo De Carli and Luca Gatteschi; Physiotherapists: Enzo Paolini, Guido Mauro Ferrini and Maurizio Fagorzi; Kitmen: Claudio Gagliardi and Andrea Russo. Group 2 Table – ITALY 19 points, Slovenia 15, Serbia 13, Republic of Ireland 9, Andorra and Lituania 3 Schedule Tuesday 30th August
10:00   training (behind closed doors)
13:15   meeting with the press (players)
17:00   training (open to press) Wednesday 31st August
10:00  training (behind closed doors)
15:50  train from Rome to Padua and transfer to Vicenza Thursday 1st September
12:30 Press conference at Vicenza Council Chambers (coach)
16:30 Training at the Stadio Romeo Menti in Vicenza (first 15’ open to press)
           
Friday 2nd September
18:30 ITALY-SERBIA at the Stadio Romeo Menti in Vicenza      
Meeting with press at full-time followed by return to hotel Saturday 3rd September
10:30 training at the Stadio in Caldogno (behind closed doors) Sunday 4th September
10:30 training at the Stadio in Caldogno (open to the public)
16:30 transfer to Hotel Europa in La Spezia Monday 5th September
12:30 Press Conference at La Spezia Council Chambers (coach)
17:30 training at the Stadio Alberto Picco in La Spezia (first 15’ open to press) Tuesday 6th September
18:30 ITALY-ANDORRA at the Stadio Alberto Picco in La Spezia. Meeting with press at full-time followed by return of players to their clubs.
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Tickets can be bought at TicketOne selling points (click here) and at www.vivoazzurro.it and www.ticketone.it. Ticket prices (not including booking fees) are as follows: TRIBUNA CENTRALE                                      Euro   14
DISTINTI                                                         Euro     5 Holders of FIGC and CONI (Italian National Olympic Committee) cards valid for 2015 will be able to sit in the Tribuna Centrale (Tribuna D’onore) or in the “distinti” (tribuna) when presenting their card in person as long as they send a written request beforehand to segretaria@vicenzacalcio.com with attached scans of a valid ID document and their FIGC card before 16:00 CEST on 31st August depending on availability. Tickets for card holders can be picked up at the press accreditations box at the Stadio Romeo Menti on Friday 2nd September from 16:30 until 19:15 CEST. Squad list Goalkeepers: Alessio Cragno (Benevento), Alex Meret (Spal), Simone Scuffet (Udinese);
Defenders: Davide Biraschi (Avellino), Arturo Calabresi (Brescia), Davide Calabria (AC Milan), Mattia Caldara (Atalanta), Andrea Conti (Atalanta), Adam Masina (Bologna), Nicola Murru (Cagliari), Filippo Romagna (Juventus);
Midfielders: Marco Benassi (Torino), Danilo Cataldi (Lazio), Alberto Grassi (Napoli), Luca Mazzitelli (Sassuolo); Lorenzo Pellegrini (Sassuolo), Valerio Verre (Pescara);
Forwards: Domenico Berardi* (Sassuolo), Alberto Cerri (Spal), Federico Di Francesco (Bologna), Luca Garritano (Cesena), Gaetano Monachello (Bari), Vittorio Parigini (Chievo Verona), Federico Ricci (Roma), Valerio Lorenzo Rosseti (Lugano). *unavailable through injury
 
Staff – Head of Delegation: Giancarlo Antognoni; Accompanying Director: Vincenzo Martinelli; Head Coach: Luigi Di Biagio; Assistant Coach: Carmine Nunziata; Secretary: Emiliano Cozzi; Goalkeeping Coach: Antonio Chimenti; Fitness Coach: Vito Azzone; Team Doctors: Angelo De Carli and Luca Gatteschi; Physiotherapists: Enzo Paolini, Guido Mauro Ferrini and Maurizio Fagorzi; Kitmen: Claudio Gagliardi and Andrea Russo. Group 2 Table – ITALY 19 points, Slovenia 15, Serbia 13, Republic of Ireland 9, Andorra and Lituania 3 Schedule
Sunday 28th August
Squad to meet in Rome before 12:30 
17:00  training (behind closed doors) Monday 29th August
17:00   training (behind closed doors) Tuesday 30th August
10:00   training (behind closed doors)
13:15   meeting with the press (players)
17:00   training (open to press) Wednesday 31st August
10:00  training (behind closed doors)
15:50  train from Rome to Padua and transfer to Vicenza Thursday 1st September
12:30 Press conference at Vicenza Council Chambers (coach)
16:30 Training at the Stadio Romeo Menti in Vicenza (first 15’ open to press)
           
Friday 2nd September
18:30 ITALY-SERBIA at the Stadio Romeo Menti in Vicenza      
Meeting with press at full-time followed by return to hotel Saturday 3rd September
10:30 training at the Stadio in Caldogno (behind closed doors) Sunday 4th September
10:30 training at the Stadio in Caldogno (open to the public)
16:30 transfer to Hotel Europa in La Spezia Monday 5th September
12:30 Press Conference at La Spezia Council Chambers (coach)
17:30 training at the Stadio Alberto Picco in La Spezia (first 15’ open to press) Tuesday 6th September
18:30 ITALY-ANDORRA at the Stadio Alberto Picco in La Spezia. Meeting with press at full-time followed by return of players to their clubs.

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