The schedule (all CEST times) Sunday, 11th October
10:00 – Transfer to Vicenza at the “Tiepolo” Hotel
13:00 – Press conference at the hotel
16:30 – Training session at the stadio Comunale in Caldogno – Vicenza (open) Monday, 12th October
18:00 –   Press conference at the Stadio “Romeo Menti” in Vicenza (head coach)
19:00 – MD-1 training session at the Stadio “Romeo Menti” in Vicenza (open to the media for the first 15’) Tuesday, 13th October
17:00 Euro qualifier Italy vs. Republic of Ireland – Stadio “Romeo Menti” – Vicenza
Press conference after the match, followed by return of the players to their respective clubs.   ]]>

The schedule (all CEST times) Saturday, 10th October
10:00 – Training session at the Stadio Comunale in Cormons (behind closed doors)
17:00 – Training session in Cormons Sunday, 11th October
10:00 – Transfer to Vicenza at the “Tiepolo” Hotel
13:00 – Press conference at the hotel
16:30 – Training session at the stadio Comunale in Caldogno – Vicenza (open) Monday, 12th October
18:00 –   Press conference at the Stadio “Romeo Menti” in Vicenza (head coach)
19:00 – MD-1 training session at the Stadio “Romeo Menti” in Vicenza (open to the media for the first 15’) Tuesday, 13th October
17:00 Euro qualifier Italy vs. Republic of Ireland – Stadio “Romeo Menti” – Vicenza
Press conference after the match, followed by return of the players to their respective clubs. ]]>

Di Biagio lined up the team with a 4-4-2 formation; Cragno started in goal, while the defence was made up of Conti, Rugani, Romagnoli and Murru; Bernardeschi and Benassi played as wingers, Cataldi and Mandragora as central midfielders; Boateng and Cerri played up front. Italy created at least six good chances in the first half, but the Azzurrini were not clinical enough to convert.
Di Biagio’s team kept playing with the right attitude in the second half and had other big opportunities to take the lead, but Slovenian goalkeeper saved shots from Boateng and Cataldi, whilst Benassi’s attempt from the edge of the box went just wide. Di Biagio then made the decision that would change the game. He replaced Bernardeschi with Monachello. It was then Monachello who gave Italy the lead in the 71st minute, his first ever goal for the U21 side.
The lead made Italy more confident and Monachello managed to score his brace in the 84th minute through a left footed shot from the edge of the box. Captain Benassi then made it 3-0 to the Azzurrini three minutes later, after being assisted by the man who stole the show in the second half Monachello.
The Azzurrini rightly celebrated after the final whistle, but coach Di Biagio stayed grounded: “These are three important points,” admitted Italy’s manager, “we are now second, but we still need to improve. It was a similar game to the first one we played against them. We still need to adjust some things and play at a quicker pace. We’ve still got a long way to go to get to where I would like my team to look like.”
Italy’s next opponent will be the Republic of Ireland in a Euro qualifier due to take place in Vicenza next Tuesday: “It will be a tough game, like all the games against northern teams, who play with a lot of physicality. They constantly press and never give up. That’s why we need to be able to play quicker.”   ]]>

Di Biagio lined up the team with a 4-4-2 formation; Cragno started in goal, while the defence was made up of Conti, Rugani, Romagnoli and Murru; Bernardeschi and Benassi played as wingers, Cataldi and Mandragora as central midfielders; Boateng and Cerri played up front. Italy created at least six good chances in the first half, but the Azzurrini were not clinical enough to convert.
Di Biagio’s team kept playing with the right attitude in the second half and had other big opportunities to take the lead, but Slovenian goalkeeper saved shots from Boateng and Cataldi, whilst Benassi’s attempt from the edge of the box went just wide. Di Biagio then made the decision that would change the game. He replaced Bernardeschi with Monachello. It was then Monachello who gave Italy the lead in the 71st minute, his first ever goal for the U21 side.
The lead made Italy more confident and Monachello managed to score his brace in the 84th minute through a left footed shot from the edge of the box. Captain Benassi then made it 3-0 to the Azzurrini three minutes later, after being assisted by the man who stole the show in the second half Monachello.
The Azzurrini rightly celebrated after the final whistle, but coach Di Biagio stayed grounded: “These are three important points,” admitted Italy’s manager, “we are now second, but we still need to improve. It was a similar game to the first one we played against them. We still need to adjust some things and play at a quicker pace. We’ve still got a long way to go to get to where I would like my team to look like.”
Italy’s next opponent will be the Republic of Ireland in a Euro qualifier due to take place in Vicenza next Tuesday: “It will be a tough game, like all the games against northern teams, who play with a lot of physicality. They constantly press and never give up. That’s why we need to be able to play quicker.”   ]]>

 
After Slovenia, Italy will face the Republic of Ireland in Vicenza: Di Biagio knows how important these two games are for their ambitions. “We have tested two formations during the last few days, 4-3-3 and 4-4-2. We can use both of them and also swap between them during the same game. All of my players are intelligent, thy follow my hints and train with great dedication.” The Azzurrini will make their last training session this afternoon at the SRC Bonifika stadium, where they will face Slovenia tomorrow (kick-off at 18:30 CEST). “I still have a couple of doubts, I will try to make up my mind during training. Tomorrow we will be ready.” The schedule (all CEST times) Wednesday, 7th October
12:45 – Press conference at the hotel (head coach)
18.30 – MD-1 training session at the SRC Bonifika stadium – Koper (open to media for the first 15’) Thursday, 8th October
18:30 Euro qualifier Slovenia vs. Italy – “SRC Bonifika” Stadium – Koper
Press conference after the match and transfer to “Felcaro” Hotel in Cormons Friday, 9th October
11:00 – Training session at the Stadio Comunale in Cormons (open to media) Saturday, 10th October
10:00 – Training session at the Stadio Comunale in Cormons (behind closed doors)
17:00 – Training session in Cormons Sunday, 11th October
10:00 – Transfer to Vicenza at the “Tiepolo” Hotel
13:00 – Press conference at the hotel
16:30 – Training session at the stadio Comunale in Caldogno – Vicenza (open) Monday, 12th October
18:00 –   Press conference at the Stadio “Romeo Menti” in Vicenza (head coach)
19:00 – MD-1 training session at the Stadio “Romeo Menti” in Vicenza (open to the media for the first 15’) Tuesday, 13th October
17:00 Euro qualifier Italy vs. Republic of Ireland – Stadio “Romeo Menti” – Vicenza
Press conference after the match, followed by return of the players to their respective clubs. ]]>