Italy had their second day of work today at Coverciano as they prepare for a World Cup qualifier against Liechtenstein on 12th November in Vaduz and a friendly against Germany on 15th November. After Gian Piero Ventura spoke yesterday, it was Andrea Belotti’s turn to face the press today. He is one of Italy’s most promising young players with eight Serie A goals so far and he scored away at FYR Macedonia. The Torino forward has no intention of letting up now. “I know that this is a very important chance for me, I’m in the national team’s sphere and I’ll do everything to stay here. I have to look to show my value on the pitch and I’m aware that I can give a big hand to this team.” Ventura also had words of praise for Belotti and Immobile who are two forwards that he knows well after working with them last year at Torino. “I thank Ventura, Immobile and myself, along with the rest of my teammates know that when you’re given a chance you have to show that you deserve it.” Coverciano is full of images celebrating the Azzurri’s history and past triumphs and that’s a story that Belotti wants to be a part of. “To be here and see the pictures from the 2006 World Cup win has a certain effect on you. Then, to hear stories from teammates who were there in Berlin makes you even more determined to try and experience certain things.”  Belotti’s smile is evidence that people can achieve their desires. “For me, it’s a dream come true to be where I am at the moment, I’ve always believed and I’ve never given up. I invite all young players to carry on dreaming because results will come, it’s enough to believe. You don’t need to look at how old a player is, there are lots of promising youngsters who are showing that they can do great things.” The current Italy set-up also allows younger players to look up to their more experienced colleagues. “Buffon, Bonucci and De Rossi have helped me to join the group in the best way possible and now they’re doing the same for the others. They’re showing that they’re great people as well as great players.”  Squad list
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Milan), Mattia Perin (Genoa);
Defenders: Luca Antonelli (Milan), Davide Astori (Fiorentina), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Matteo Darmian (Manchester United), Mattia De Sciglio (Milan), Alessio Romagnoli (Milan),Armando Izzo (Genoa), Daniele Rugani (Juventus), Davide Zappacosta (Torino);
Midfielders: Danilo Cataldi (Lazio), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Roberto Gagliardini (Atalanta), Marco Parolo (Lazio), Marco Verratti (Paris Saint Germain) Federico Bernardeschi (Fiorentina), Giacomo Bonaventura (Milan), Antonio Candreva (Inter), Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli), Matteo Politano (Sassuolo), Nicola Sansone (Villareal).
Forwards: Andrea Belotti (Torino), Eder Citadin Martins (Inter), Gianluca Lapadula (Milan) Ciro Immobile (Lazio), Leonardo Pavoletti (Genoa), Simone Zaza (West Ham United).
Staff: Head Coach: Gian Piero Ventura; Team Manager: Gabriele Oriali; Assistant Coaches: Salvatore Sullo, Paolo Vanoli and Gianluca Spinelli; Secretary: Mauro Vladovich; Fitness coaches: Alessandro Innocenti and Giovanni Brignardello; Match Analyst: Antonio Gagiardi; Team Doctors: Enrico Castellacci and Carmine Costabile; Physiotherapists/Masseurs: Fabrizio Scalzi, Emanuele Randelli, Alfonso Casano and Pasquale Raia, Walter Martinelli (osteopath); Nutritionist: Matteo Pincella Italy’s Schedule (All times CET) Monday 7th November
13:30 Ventura’s press conference
15:00 Training (Open to the media for the first 20 minutes) Tuesday 8th November
09:30     Training (closed doors)
13:00     Meet the press (players)
15:00     Training (Open to the press for the first 20 minutes) Wednesday 9th November 
09:30    Training  (closed doors)
13:00     Meet the press (players)
15:00     Training (Open to the press for the first 20 minutes) Thursday 10th November 
09:30     Training (closed doors)
13:00     Meet the press (players)
15:00     Training (Open to the press for the first 20 minutes) Friday 11th November (MD-1)
09:30     Training (Open to the press for the first 15 minutes)
17:00     Charter flight from Florence to St. Gallen
18:15     Arrive at St. Gallen and travel to the Rheinpark Stadium in Vaduz
19:15     Inspect the stadium
19:30     Press conference with Ventura and one player before hotel transfer
Liechtenstein’s schedule
17:00    Manager’s press conference at the Rheinpark Stadium
17:30 Training at the Rheinpark Stadium (Open to the press for the first 15 minutes) Saturday 12th November (MD)
20:45   LIECHTENSTEIN vs. ITALY – Rheinpark Stadium
Press conferences and hotel transfers to follow Sunday 13th November
10:00     Flight to Milan Malpensa
10:55     Arrive at Milan Malpensa and head to Milanello training centre
15:00    Training at Milanello (open to the media*) Monday 14th November (MD-1)
10:00     Press conference with the manager and one player at Milanello *
11:00     Training at Milandello (Open to the press for the first 15 minutes)
15:30     Training (closed doors) Germany’s schedule
14:00     Manager’s press conference at the Hotel Meliá
17:30     Training at the G. Meazza Stadium (Open to the press for the first 15 minutes)
Tuesday 15th November (MD)
20:45 ITALY vs. GERMANY Friendly – Giuseppe Meazza Stadium. Meetings with the media to follow.
*Entrance to Milanello is only permitted for media sources with accreditation for Italy vs. Germany

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