Mattia Caldara and Domenico Criscito. The former has moved up from the Under-21 National Team and his first call-up for the senior side was at a training camp for emerging players while the other is back 20 months since his last call-up for the matches in October 2016 agains Spain and FYR Macedonia when he didn’t feature. That also was the same year when Mattia Caldara made his debut for the Under-21s. Domenico Criscito made his first senior international appearance under Lippi in 2009 and went to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
They’re now at work for the second day of training in Coverciano at two different stages of their careers. “Last year, I had to fortune to play in the Under-21 European Championship. There are lots of players who were in that group and who are now here in the National Team,” said Caldara. “We’re very young and we know that we have to do our best to bring Italy back to where we belong. We also have the will to show what we can do.”
Three friendlies against Saudi Arabia, France and the Netherlands give the players a chance to gel together and carve out space for themselves. “Mancini has already explained the key principles to us, they’re different to those of Gasperini and I have to learn quick. He wants us to often be in goalscoring positions, he asks us to stay tight and compact, he wants aggression.”
On the day when Gaetano Scirea would have turned 65, comparisons were made between him and Caldara. “We’re talking about legend of the game, a player who was in a different category, I can’t compare myself with him. I’m expecting it to be a difficult challenge in the National Team and with Juventus. I feel ready, I don’t have time to get it wrong.”
Domenico Criscito’s return to the National Team brings up memories of events that the player is struggling to forget after he was excluded six years ago for allegations in a betting scandal for which he was acquitted. “To be honest, every time I come back here I get bad memories but this is a part of life and it helped me to develop. I’m fortunate to have had people who stuck by me at that time. Now, six years later I’m here and very happy to be here with some more experience of playing in Europe. It certainly left a scar that won’t go but you have to look ahead.
Mancini wanted him to in the Italy set-up after their time together in St Petersburg. “He knows what I can give, he made me captain at Zenit and I have to thank him for my Italy return. Now, it’s on me to show what I can do. He’s a great coach who won a lot, he’s the right man for us to start again with, one who’ll show his spirit and passion. I think he can do well for Italy. After missing the World Cup, it’s hard for team to go again but the group is strong and confident, we’re not lacking enthusiasm.
Source: figc.it
Squad list
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Milan), Mattia Perin (Genoa), Salvatore Sirigu (Torino);
Defenders: Leonardo Bonucci (Milan), Mattia Caldara (Atalanta), Domenico Criscito (Zenit San Pietroburgo), Danilo D’Ambrosio (Inter), Mattia De Sciglio (Juventus), Alessio Romagnoli (Milan), Daniele Rugani (Juventus), Davide Zappacosta (Chelsea);
Midfielders: Daniele Baselli (Torino), Giacomo Bonaventura (Milan), Bryan Cristante (Atalanta), Alessandro Florenzi (Roma), Frello Filho Jorge Luiz Jorginho (Napoli), Rolando Mandragora (Crotone), Lorenzo Pellegrini (Roma);
Forwards: Mario Balotelli (Nizza), Andrea Belotti (Torino), Domenico Berardi (Sassuolo), Federico Chiesa (Fiorentina), Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli), Matteo Politano (Sassuolo), Simone Verdi (Bologna), Simone Zaza (Valencia).
SCHEDULE
Friday 25th May
10:30 Training (Final 15 minutes open to the press)
13:00 Lunch
Meetings with press to follow
17:00 Training
Saturday 26th May
10:30 Training (Final 15 minutes open to the press.)
13:00 Lunch
Meeting with press to follow
17:00 Training
Sunday 27th May
10:30 Training
16:15 Transfer to Florence airport
17:45 AZ9001 charter flight to St Gallen
19:00 Arrive in St Gallen and transfer to the Kybunpark
19:30 Walk around
19:45 Head Coach and one player press conference
Monday 28th May
10:30 Training at the Kybunpark
20:45 Saudi Arabia vs. Italy
Meeting with press and hotel transfer to follow
Tuesday 29th May
10:45 AZ9000 flight to Florence
12:00 Arrive and transfer to Coverciano
17:00 Training (First 15 minutes open to the press.)
Wednesday 30th May
10:30 Training (Final 15 minutes open to the press.)
13:00 Lunch
Meetings with press to follow
17:00 Training
Thursday 31st May
10:30 Training
16:00 Transfer to Florence airport
17:30 AZ9001 charter flight to Nice
18:40 Arrive in Nice and transfer to the Allianz Riviera
19:15 Walk Around
19:30 Head Coach and one player press conference
Friday 1st June
10:30 Training at OGC Nice
21.00 France vs. Italy – Meetings with press and transfer to hotel after
00:45 AZ9000 charter flight to Turin
Saturday 2nd June
10:30 Training in Vinovo (Final 15 minutes open to press.)
Meetings with press to follow
17:00 Training at Vinovo
Sunday 3rd June
10:30 Training at Vinovo (Final 15 minutes open to press.)
Press conference with Head Coach and one player to follow
17:00 Training in Vinovo
Monday 4th June
10:30 Training at the Allianz Stadium
20:45 Italy vs. Netherlands – Referee: Bezborodov (Russia)
Meetings with press to follow