After yesterday’s impressive 2-1 win in Poland with Pellegrini and Benassi goals, the Under-21 National Team have returned to Rome where they play Spain on Monday at the Stadio Olimpico at 21:00 CEST.

In the morning, the players trained in Krakow with warm-down drills for those who played and work on the pitch for the rest. For the match against Spain, Luigi Di Biagio has also decided to call up Juventus goalkeeper Emili Audero who featured yesterday for the Under-20 National Team against Poland and it’s his first call-up the Under-21s.

The match with Spain is particularly interesting as it sees the two most successful Under-21 countries meet (Five European Championships for Italy, four for La Furia Roja) and it will be a rematch of the final four years ago in Israel where Spain won 4-2.

The Stadio Olimpico in Rome will be hosting an Under-21 match for the third time and it’s been over 30 years since the unforgettable first leg of the final between Italy and Spain in October 1986 when the Azzurrini won 2-1 with goals from Gianluca Vialli and Giuseppe Giannini before defeat on penalties in Valladolid in the second leg.

The match at the Olimpico will also provide another opportunity for experimentation with VAR (Video Assistant Referees) in online made in collaboration with Lega Serie A according to FIFA and IFAB protocol. After the technology made its debut in the match between Gian Piero Ventura’s Italy and France in Bari on 1st September, tests were repeated in November for Italy vs. Germany (senior), Italy vs. Denmark (Under-21) in Bergamo and VAR was used in online mode for the first time in Italy at the Under-19 match in Udine between Italy and Spain. VAR was tested again in online mode on 22nd February and 8th March in Bologna and Empoli as the cities hosted the Under-19 National Team against France and the Under-18 National Team against Denmark.

Squad List 

Goalkeepers: Emil Audero (Juventus), Pierluigi Gollini (Atalanta), Simone Scuffet (Udinese);
Defenders: Antonio Barreca (Torino), Davide Biraschi (Genoa), Kevin Bonifazi (Spal), Davide Calabria (Milan), Alex Ferrari (Hellas Verona), Adam Masina (Bologna), Nicola Murru (Cagliari);
Midfielders Marco Benassi (Torino), Danilo Cataldi (Genoa), Alberto Grassi (Atalanta), Manuel Locatelli (Milan), Rolando Mandragora (Juventus), Lorenzo Pellegrini (Sassuolo), Valerio Verre (Pescara);
Forwards: Domenico Berardi (Sassuolo), Alberto Cerri (Pescara), Federico Chiesa (Fiorentina), Federico Di Francesco (Bologna), Andrea Favilli (Ascoli), Luca Garritano (Cesena), Federico Ricci (Sassuolo).

Staff – Delegation Head: Giorgio Bottaro; Accompanying Director: Vincenzo Marinelli; Coach: Luigi Di Biagio; Assistant Coach: Carmine Nunziata; Secretary: Emiliano Cozzi; Goalkeeping Coach: Antonio Chimenti; Fitness Coach: Vito Azzone; Match Analyst: Filippo Lorenzon; Doctors: Angelo De Carli and Luca Gatteschi; Phyiotherapists: Enzo Paolini and Guido Mauro Ferrini; Nutritionists: Cristian Petri.

Schedule (All times CEST) 

Friday 24th March
10:00                   Training  (closed)
17:05                   Return Flight

Saturday 25th March
16:00                   Training  (Open to the press)

Sunday 26th March
13:00             Meeting with the press at the hotel (Coach)
15:30             Training (Closed)

Monday 27th March
21:00             ITALY –SPAIN Under 21,   Stadio Olimpico

Source: figc.it

Lorenzo Pellegrini and Marco Benassi got on the scoresheet as the Italy Under-21 National Team won 2-1 away against Poland in an important friendly, three months ahead of the European Championship in the same country. A large number of withdrawals forced Luigi Di Biagio to pick an experimental side and it paid off as he looks to work out his final 23-man squad.

Despite all the absences, the Azzurrini showed that they have the legs and the brains to go far. The game wasn’t taken lightly despite being a friendly. The Azzurrini were organised in the first half with a solid formation while the new entry Federico Chiesa fitted in seamlessly. It was this new face who tested the goalkeeper from 25 metres after 22 minutes following some interplay with Alberto Cerri.

Domenico Berardi had an effort a minute later with a bicycle kick but his strike was weak and saved by Wrabel. Italy kept pressing. In the 29th minute, Berardi found Chiesa whose header set up Lorenzo Pellegrini who picked out the far post with a left-foot volley and the Azzurrini were ahead. Poland looked to bounce back with their pride wounded and they found the equaliser in the 43rd minute with a Kownacki goal after a Kapustka pass caught out Italy’s defence. Cerri almost restored Italy’s lead in stoppage time but his goal was disallowed for offside.
After the break, Federico Di Francesco came on for the other prodigal son Chiesa. It took just five minutes for Italy to go back in front with a blocked Danilo Cataldi free kick falling to Marco Benassi who took one touch before blasting the ball home from outside the area.

Italy then wrung the changes before there was a chance to extend the lead after 63 minutes as Di Francesco was fouled in the box. However, Cerri unfortunately hit the post from the spot.

The Azzurrini continued to control the match up until the final whistle and Luigi Di Biagio expressed his joy after it. “I’m very satisfied with this team, the guys are incredible,” he said. “Lots of them put themselves on show, they’ve turned up in excellent condition even if some of them haven’t played in a while. These matches are very important for our preparations ahead of the European Championship. It all counts, the result included.”

Source:   figc.it

 
Numerous withdrawals in recent days have forced the coach to revaluate his squad ahead of tomorrow’s match in Krakow at 20:45 CEST. “Tomorrow, we will have to experiment with all of these absences,” Di Biagio. “I’ll try to find a new solution so that I shake off my final doubts before naming the 23 players for the squad who will go to the European Championship.  
 
A man with clear ideas, Di Biagio knows what he wants and expects to see from his team, even in friendlies. “We have a chance to try new things in a match, Poland will make us play very well,” he added. “I’ve heard from Boniek and he confirmed to me that much is expected from them at the European Championship. Because of this, it will be an excellent test to see how the guys are developing. We have to think that results always come from good performances and we’ll aim to play a good game.”
 
“I believe that this European Championship will be the best in 20 years, we’re happy that some of my guys have been called up to the senior side,” added Di Biagio. “It’s evidence of the good work that began eight years ago with Sacchi and Viscidi on our young players. The aim is to go far, always aware that we have to have the desire to win the main prize. We’ll see about the final squad and confirm things with Ventura. President Carlo Tavecchio and CEO Michele Uva are still telling me to take the best.”
 
Squad Goalkeepers: Pierluigi Gollini (Atalanta), Simone Scuffet (Udinese);
Defenders: Antonio Barreca (Torino), Davide Biraschi (Genoa), Kevin Bonifazi (Spal), Davide Calabria (Milan), Alex Ferrari (Hellas Verona), Adam Masina (Bologna), Nicola Murru (Cagliari);
Midfielders: Marco Benassi (Torino), Danilo Cataldi (Genoa), Alberto Grassi (Atalanta), Manuel Locatelli (Milan), Rolando Mandragora (Juventus), Lorenzo Pellegrini (Sassuolo), Valerio Verre (Pescara);
Forwards: Domenico Berardi (Sassuolo), Alberto Cerri (Pescara), Federico Chiesa (Fiorentina), Federico Di Francesco (Bologna), Andrea Favilli (Ascoli), Luca Garritano (Cesena), Federico Ricci (Sassuolo).
 
 
Staff – Delegation Head: Giorgio Bottaro; Accompanying Director: Vincenzo Marinelli; Coach: Luigi Di Biagio; Assistant Coach: Carmine Nunziata; Secretary: Emiliano Cozzi; Goalkeeping Coach: Antonio Chimenti; Fitness Coach: Vito Azzone; Match Analyst: Filippo Lorenzon; Doctors: Angelo De Carli and Luca Gatteschi; Phyiotherapists: Enzo Paolini and Guido Mauro Ferrini; Nutritionists: Cristian Petri.
 
Schedule (All times CEST)  Schedule 
Wednesday 22nd March 
13:00             Meet the press in the hotel (Coach)
17:00             Training at Cracovia Stadium (First 15 minutes open to the press) Thursday 23rd March 
10:00                  Training   (closed)
 20:45                 POLAND vs. ITALY  Under-21, Cracovia Stadium
                                              Meeting with the press afterwards Friday 24th March 
10:00                   Training  (closed)
17:05                   Return Flight               
Saturday 25th March 
16:00                   Training  (Open to the press) Sunday 26th March
13:00             Meeting with the press at the hotel (Coach)
15:30             Training (Closed)
Monday 27th March
 21:00             ITALY –SPAIN Under 21,   Stadio Olimpico
                          Meetings with the press and return home to follow ]]>

The Under-21 National Team have two more fixtures ahead of the summer’s European Championship finals. Krakow and Rome will host the upcoming matches against Poland and Spain who have both also qualified and they will provide a real test for Luigi Di Biagio’s side as the coach prepares to narrow his squad down to 23.

Numerous withdrawals in recent days have forced the coach to revaluate his squad ahead of tomorrow’s match in Krakow at 20:45 CEST. “Tomorrow, we will have to experiment with all of these absences,” Di Biagio. “I’ll try to find a new solution so that I shake off my final doubts before naming the 23 players for the squad who will go to the European Championship.

A man with clear ideas, Di Biagio knows what he wants and expects to see from his team, even in friendlies. “We have a chance to try new things in a match, Poland will make us play very well,” he added. “I’ve heard from Boniek and he confirmed to me that much is expected from them at the European Championship. Because of this, it will be an excellent test to see how the guys are developing. We have to think that results always come from good performances and we’ll aim to play a good game.”

“I believe that this European Championship will be the best in 20 years, we’re happy that some of my guys have been called up to the senior side,” added Di Biagio. “It’s evidence of the good work that began eight years ago with Sacchi and Viscidi on our young players. The aim is to go far, always aware that we have to have the desire to win the main prize. We’ll see about the final squad and confirm things with Ventura. President Carlo Tavecchio and CEO Michele Uva are still telling me to take the best.”

Squad

Goalkeepers: Pierluigi Gollini (Atalanta), Simone Scuffet (Udinese);
Defenders: Antonio Barreca (Torino), Davide Biraschi (Genoa), Kevin Bonifazi (Spal), Davide Calabria (Milan), Alex Ferrari (Hellas Verona), Adam Masina (Bologna), Nicola Murru (Cagliari);
Midfielders: Marco Benassi (Torino), Danilo Cataldi (Genoa), Alberto Grassi (Atalanta), Manuel Locatelli (Milan), Rolando Mandragora (Juventus), Lorenzo Pellegrini (Sassuolo), Valerio Verre (Pescara);
Forwards: Domenico Berardi (Sassuolo), Alberto Cerri (Pescara), Federico Chiesa (Fiorentina), Federico Di Francesco (Bologna), Andrea Favilli (Ascoli), Luca Garritano (Cesena), Federico Ricci (Sassuolo).

Staff – Delegation Head: Giorgio Bottaro; Accompanying Director: Vincenzo Marinelli; Coach: Luigi Di Biagio; Assistant Coach: Carmine Nunziata; Secretary: Emiliano Cozzi; Goalkeeping Coach: Antonio Chimenti; Fitness Coach: Vito Azzone; Match Analyst: Filippo Lorenzon; Doctors: Angelo De Carli and Luca Gatteschi; Phyiotherapists: Enzo Paolini and Guido Mauro Ferrini; Nutritionists: Cristian Petri.

Schedule (All times CEST) 

Schedule

Wednesday 22nd March
13:00             Meet the press in the hotel (Coach)
17:00             Training at Cracovia Stadium (First 15 minutes open to the press)

Thursday 23rd March
10:00                  Training   (closed)
20:45                 POLAND vs. ITALY  Under-21, Cracovia Stadium
Meeting with the press afterwards

Friday 24th March
10:00                   Training  (closed)
17:05                   Return Flight

Saturday 25th March
16:00                   Training  (Open to the press)

Sunday 26th March
13:00             Meeting with the press at the hotel (Coach)
15:30             Training (Closed)

Monday 27th March
21:00             ITALY –SPAIN Under 21,   Stadio Olimpico

Source:   figc.it

available here. These friendlies offer a test for Italy ahead of the European Championship finals in Poland between 16th and 30th June. Squad Goalkeepers: Pierluigi Gollini (Atalanta), Simone Scuffet (Udinese);
Defenders: Antonio Barreca (Torino), Davide Biraschi (Genoa), Kevin Bonifazi (Spal), Davide Calabria (Milan), Alex Ferrari (Hellas Verona), Adam Masina (Bologna), Nicola Murru (Cagliari);
Midfielders: Marco Benassi (Torino), Danilo Cataldi (Genoa), Alberto Grassi (Atalanta), Manuel Locatelli (Milan), Rolando Mandragora (Juventus), Lorenzo Pellegrini (Sassuolo), Valerio Verre (Pescara);
Forwards: Domenico Berardi (Sassuolo), Alberto Cerri (Pescara), Federico Chiesa (Fiorentina), Federico Di Francesco (Bologna), Andrea Favilli (Ascoli), Luca Garritano (Cesena), Federico Ricci (Sassuolo).  
Staff – Delegation Head: Giorgio Bottaro; Accompanying Director: Vincenzo Marinelli; Coach: Luigi Di Biagio; Assistant Coach: Carmine Nunziata; Secretary: Emiliano Cozzi; Goalkeeping Coach: Antonio Chimenti; Fitness Coach: Vito Azzone; Match Analyst: Filippo Lorenzon; Doctors: Angelo De Carli and Luca Gatteschi; Phyiotherapists: Enzo Paolini and Guido Mauro Ferrini; Nutritionists: Cristian Petri.
 
Schedule (All times CEST)  Schedule  Tuesday 20th March 
13:15             Meeting with the press at the hotel (Players)
16:30             Training (Open to press)  Tuesday 21st March 
10:00             Training
18:25             Flight from Rome to Frankfurt/ Krakow, transfer to Q Plus Hotel Wednesday 22nd March 
13:00             Meet the press in the hotel (Coach)
17:00             Training at Cracovia Stadium (First 15 minutes open to the press) Thursday 23rd March 
10:00                  Training   (closed)
 20:45                 POLAND vs. ITALY  Under-21, Cracovia Stadium
                                              Meeting with the press afterwards Friday 24th March 
10:00                   Training  (closed)
17:05                   Return Flight               
Saturday 25th March 
16:00                   Training  (Open to the press) Sunday 26th March
13:00             Meeting with the press at the hotel (Coach)
15:30             Training (Closed)
Monday 27th March
 21:00             ITALY –SPAIN Under 21,   Stadio Olimpico
                          Meetings with the press and return home to follow  ]]>