The players not involved in yesterday’s action held a full training session, while the others conducted a light session, but the whole squad is aware that they will have to make up for the bad start if they don’t want to leave Czech Republic sooner than expected. The day after, Stefano Sturaro offered his apology after leaving his team a man down following a reaction towards an opponent: “I would like to publicly apologize to the team, the staff and to all the fans,” commented the Juventus midfielder at today’s press conference, “maybe I don’t deserve to wear this shirt and I feel like I have contributed to yesterday’s loss. I accept criticism, but at the same time I’m fully aware of what I can give to this team.” There is a lot of disappointment among the Azzurrini; the match was going in the right direction after Berardi’s successful penalty and the subsequent extra man, but Italy were not able to take advantage. The Azzurrini now need to be able to look forward if they want to keep their hopes of getting through to the semi-finals intact: “We’ve wasted a great chance as we lost our mind, me most of all. It’s quite obvious that if a match goes in a certain direction, you start getting tense,” continued Sturaro, “but I don’t think that we have to change our mindset. We have always managed to get up again after difficult moments. We’re a tight-knit group, we now have to analyze our mistakes and avoid making them again.” Schedule, results and Group B table
18th June ITALY 1-2 Sweden
18th June England 0-1 Portugal
21st June ITALY vs. Portugal
21st June Sweden vs. England
24th June ITALY vs. England
24th June Portugal vs. Sweden
Table: Sweden and Portugal 3 points, England and ITALY 0 Squad numbers:
Goalkeepers: 1 Bardi (Chievo Verona), 20 Leali (Cesena), 14 Sportiello (Atalanta);
Defenders: 12 Barba (Empoli), 13 Bianchetti (Spezia), 3 Biraghi (Chievo Verona), 17 Izzo (Genoa), 6 Romagnoli (Sampdoria), 5 Rugani (Empoli), 2 Sabelli (Bari), 22 Zappacosta (Atalanta);
Midfielders: 16 Baselli (Atalanta), 18 Battocchio (Virtus Entella), 15 Benassi (Torino), 21 Cataldi (Lazio), 4 Crisetig (Cagliari), 8 Sturaro (Juventus), 7 Viviani (Latina);
Forwards: 9 Belotti (Palermo), 10 Berardi (Sassuolo), 11 Bernardeschi (Fiorentina), 19 Trotta (Avellino), 23 Verdi (Empoli). Italy’s schedule Saturday, 20th June
19:45 CEST  Press conference at the “City Stadium” in Uherske Hradiste
20:30 CEST Light workout session at the “City Stadium” in Uherske Hradiste (MD-1). Sunday, 21st June
20:45 CEST  ITALY vs. PORTUGAL, “City Stadium” in Uherske Hradiste
Press conference to follow Monday, 22nd June
11:00 CEST  Training session at the C.S. Holice, in Olomouc
13:15 CEST  Press conference at the “S-port Veska” Hotel in Olomouc (players) Tuesday, 23rd June
18:45 CEST  Press conference at the “Ander Stadium” in Olomouc
19:30 CEST  Light workout session at the “Ander Stadium” in Olomouc (MD-1). Wednesday, 24th June
20:45 CEST ENGLAND vs. ITALY, “Ander Stadium” in Olomouc
Press conference to follow   ]]>

Italy head coach Di Biagio opted for a 4-3-3 formation. In the early stages of the match, centre-backs Rugani and Bianchetti did not have many problems with Sweden’s forwards Guidetti and Thelin, who were not able to get many touches of the ball in the final third. On the other hand, Italy made an aggressive start and Berardi’s first attempt came in as early as the 3rd minute. The Azzurrini kept winning corner-kicks and seemed to be in full control of the game. The only thing missing was a goal and the chance came in the 28th minute with Belotti running towards the opposition’s box. In order to stop him, Sweden’s Milosevic brought him down: Penalty and a red card for the Swedish defender. Domenico Berardi converted superbly from the spot to give Italy a 1-0 lead. Sweden were unable to react and the first half came to a close with the Azzurrini’s a goal to the good.
The second half began with a long range effort from Baselli, but then Sweden unexpectedly levelled up the game in the 56th minute through Guidetti, who tapped in from close range.
Di Biagio then brought Verdi and Cataldi on in place of Battocchio and Baselli. It was Cataldi who had a good chance, but his shot went narrowly wide. The Azzurrini, with Trotta coming on for Belotti, went in search of a winning goal, but Stefano Sturaro got sent off after reacting to a challenge from an opponent. Sweden’s second goal followed just a few minutes later: Sub Ishak was fouled in the box by keeper Bardi and Thelin converted the subsequent penalty that secured Sweden three points and condemned Italy to defeat in their opening match.
''We should have put the game to bed,” analyzed Luigi Di Biagio, “now it will be tough. We have to look forward now.” Next is Portugal and no more mistakes are allowed. Schedule, results and Group B table
18th June ITALY 1-2 Sweden
18th June England 0-1 Portugal
21st June ITALY vs. Portugal
21st June Sweden vs. England
24th June ITALY vs. England
24th June Portugal vs. Sweden
Table: Sweden and Portugal 3 points, England and ITALY 0 Squad numbers:
Goalkeepers: 1 Bardi (Chievo Verona), 20 Leali (Cesena), 14 Sportiello (Atalanta);
Defenders: 12 Barba (Empoli), 13 Bianchetti (Spezia), 3 Biraghi (Chievo Verona), 17 Izzo (Genoa), 6 Romagnoli (Sampdoria), 5 Rugani (Empoli), 2 Sabelli (Bari), 22 Zappacosta (Atalanta);
Midfielders: 16 Baselli (Atalanta), 18 Battocchio (Virtus Entella), 15 Benassi (Torino), 21 Cataldi (Lazio), 4 Crisetig (Cagliari), 8 Sturaro (Juventus), 7 Viviani (Latina);
Forwards: 9 Belotti (Palermo), 10 Berardi (Sassuolo), 11 Bernardeschi (Fiorentina), 19 Trotta (Avellino), 23 Verdi (Empoli). Italy’s schedule Friday, 19th June
11:00 CEST Training session at the C.S. Holice, in Olomouc – (behind closed doors)
13:15 CEST   Press conference at the “S-port Veska” Hotel in Olomouc (players) Saturday, 20th June
19:45 CEST  Press conference at the “City Stadium” in Uherske Hradiste
20:30 CEST Light workout session at the “City Stadium” in Uherske Hradiste (MD-1). Sunday, 21st June
20:45 CEST  ITALY vs. PORTUGAL, “City Stadium” in Uherske Hradiste
Press conference to follow Monday, 22nd June
11:00 CEST  Training session at the C.S. Holice, in Olomouc
13:15 CEST  Press conference at the “S-port Veska” Hotel in Olomouc (players) Tuesday, 23rd June
18:45 CEST  Press conference at the “Ander Stadium” in Olomouc
19:30 CEST  Light workout session at the “Ander Stadium” in Olomouc (MD-1). Wednesday, 24th June
20:45 CEST ENGLAND vs. ITALY, “Ander Stadium” in Olomouc
Press conference to follow   ]]>

It’s time. In just a few hours the U21s will take to the field in the European Championship against Sweden (kick-off 18:00 CEST). It’s time to show character and determination; two attributes what Di Biagio’s squad have.  “Motivation is high. No one can underestimate a competition like that. We have prepared for this competition for two years and we are now ready to give it our all. Sweden can give us some problems. On a personal level I have nice memories of Sweden: I scored against them in 2000,” commented Di Biagio.
The tournament is about to start but there are some questions open about the line-up: “I have three or four formations in my mind. I will decide tomorrow. I explained to my players that in a tournament like this there could be always some surprises. The game will be important but not crucial tomorrow,” added Di Biagio.
U21 captain Matteo Bianchetti is one of the most experienced players. He made his debut for the U21s in a friendly against Germany on February 2013. He also played at the 2013 European Championship in Israel, where Italy came second: “We were well prepared also two years ago like this time: a nice group, we know us and we improved a lot in the last two years. We feel ready to give it our all. This is my second European Championship but I do not feel like the leader. I feel important for the squad and part of the team, where there are many young players, who want reach the best possible,” said Bianchetti.

Squad numbers:
Goalkeepers: 1 Bardi (Chievo Verona), 20 Leali (Cesena), 14 Sportiello (Atalanta);
Defenders: 12 Barba (Empoli), 13 Bianchetti (Spezia), 3 Biraghi (Chievo Verona), 17 Izzo (Genoa), 6 Romagnoli (Sampdoria), 5 Rugani (Empoli), 2 Sabelli (Bari), 22 Zappacosta (Atalanta);
Midfielders: 16 Baselli (Atalanta), 18 Battocchio (Virtus Entella), 15 Benassi (Torino), 21 Cataldi (Lazio), 4 Crisetig (Cagliari), 8 Sturaro (Juventus), 7 Viviani (Latina);
Forwards: 9 Belotti (Palermo), 10 Berardi (Sassuolo), 11 Bernardeschi (Fiorentina), 19 Trotta (Avellino), 23 Verdi (Empoli).

Italy’s schedule

Thursday, 18th June
18:00 CEST              ITALY vs. SWEDEN, “Ander Stadium” in Olomouc
Press conference to follow

Friday, 19th June
11:00 CEST Training session at the C.S. Holice, in Olomouc – (behind closed doors)
13:15 CEST   Press conference at the “S-port Veska” Hotel in Olomouc (players)

Saturday, 20th June
19:45 CEST  Press conference at the “City Stadium” in Uherske Hradiste
20:30 CEST Light workout session at the “City Stadium” in Uherske Hradiste before kick-off (MD-1).

Sunday, 21st June
20:45 CEST  ITALY vs. PORTUGAL, “City Stadium” in Uherske Hradiste
Press conference to follow

Monday, 22nd June
11:00 CEST  Training session at the C.S. Holice, in Olomouc
13:15 CEST  Press conference at the “S-port Veska” Hotel in Olomouc (players)

Tuesday, 23rd June
18:45 CEST  Press conference at the “Ander Stadium” in Olomouc
19:30 CEST  Light workout session at the “Ander Stadium” in Olomouc before kick-off (MD-1).

Wednesday, 24th June
20:45 CEST ENGLAND vs. ITALY, “Ander Stadium” in Olomouc
Press conference to follow

The tournament is about to start but there are some questions open about the line-up: “I have three or four formations in my mind. I will decide tomorrow. I explained to my players that in a tournament like this there could be always some surprises. The game will be important but not crucial tomorrow,” added Di Biagio.
U21 captain Matteo Bianchetti is one of the most experienced players. He made his debut for the U21s in a friendly against Germany on February 2013. He also played at the 2013 European Championship in Israel, where Italy came second: “We were well prepared also two years ago like this time: a nice group, we know us and we improved a lot in the last two years. We feel ready to give it our all. This is my second European Championship but I do not feel like the leader. I feel important for the squad and part of the team, where there are many young players, who want reach the best possible,” said Bianchetti. Squad numbers:
Goalkeepers: 1 Bardi (Chievo Verona), 20 Leali (Cesena), 14 Sportiello (Atalanta);
Defenders: 12 Barba (Empoli), 13 Bianchetti (Spezia), 3 Biraghi (Chievo Verona), 17 Izzo (Genoa), 6 Romagnoli (Sampdoria), 5 Rugani (Empoli), 2 Sabelli (Bari), 22 Zappacosta (Atalanta);
Midfielders: 16 Baselli (Atalanta), 18 Battocchio (Virtus Entella), 15 Benassi (Torino), 21 Cataldi (Lazio), 4 Crisetig (Cagliari), 8 Sturaro (Juventus), 7 Viviani (Latina);
Forwards: 9 Belotti (Palermo), 10 Berardi (Sassuolo), 11 Bernardeschi (Fiorentina), 19 Trotta (Avellino), 23 Verdi (Empoli). Italy’s schedule Thursday, 18th June
18:00 CEST              ITALY vs. SWEDEN, “Ander Stadium” in Olomouc
Press conference to follow Friday, 19th June
11:00 CEST Training session at the C.S. Holice, in Olomouc – (behind closed doors)
13:15 CEST   Press conference at the “S-port Veska” Hotel in Olomouc (players) Saturday, 20th June
19:45 CEST  Press conference at the “City Stadium” in Uherske Hradiste
20:30 CEST Light workout session at the “City Stadium” in Uherske Hradiste before kick-off (MD-1). Sunday, 21st June
20:45 CEST  ITALY vs. PORTUGAL, “City Stadium” in Uherske Hradiste
Press conference to follow Monday, 22nd June
11:00 CEST  Training session at the C.S. Holice, in Olomouc
13:15 CEST  Press conference at the “S-port Veska” Hotel in Olomouc (players) Tuesday, 23rd June
18:45 CEST  Press conference at the “Ander Stadium” in Olomouc
19:30 CEST  Light workout session at the “Ander Stadium” in Olomouc before kick-off (MD-1). Wednesday, 24th June
20:45 CEST ENGLAND vs. ITALY, “Ander Stadium” in Olomouc
Press conference to follow   ]]>