The final training session at Coverciano is this morning for the National Team before they fly to Manchester in the afternoon a day ahead of tomorrow’s friendly with Argentina at 19:45 GMT at the Etihad Stadium. The shirt numbers have been confirmed for the 15th meeting between Italy and the Albiceleste. It’s an encounter between two of the most successful nations in history with six World Cups between them and five further final appearances. Italy are ahead in direct match-ups (six wins to three) but the last win was over 30 years ago when a friendly finished 3-1 in Zurich. In the latest four matches, there have been two draws and two Argentina wins, both at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. For Italy, it will be the second match in Manchester and the first at City’s stadium after the match at Euro 96 against Germany at Old Trafford.
Squad numbers for Argentina and England friendlies
Goalkeepers: 1 Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), 26 Gianluigi Donnarumma (Milan), 27 Mattia Perin (Genoa);
Defenders: 19 Leonardo Bonucci (Milan), 4 Matteo Darmian (Manchester United), 2 Mattia De Sciglio (Juventus), 3 Gian Marco Ferrari (Sampdoria), 24 Alessandro Florenzi (Roma), 5 Angelo Obinze Ogbonna (West Ham), 15 Daniele Rugani (Juventus), 11 Leonardo Spinazzola (Atalanta), 21 Davide Zappacosta (Chelsea);
Midfielders: 7 Giacomo Bonaventura (Milan), 23 Bryan Cristante (Atalanta), 20 Roberto Gagliardini (Inter), 14 Jorge Luiz Frello Jorginho (Napoli), 18 Marco Parolo (Lazio), 16 Lorenzo Pellegrini (Roma), 8 Marco Verratti (Paris Saint Germain);
Forwards: 9 Andrea Belotti (Torino), 6 Antonio Candreva (Inter), 25 Federico Chiesa (Fiorentina), 22 Patrick Cutrone (Milan), 17 Ciro Immobile (Lazio), 10 Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli), 12 Simone Verdi (Bologna).
Staff – Coach: Luigi Di Biagio; Assistant Coaches: Massimo Mutarelli and Carmine Nunziata; National Youth Teams Co-Ordinator: Maurizio Viscidi; Fitness Coaches: Vito Azzone and Giovanni Brignardello; Goalkeeping Coaches: Antonio Chimenti and Gianluca Spinelli; Match Analyst: ntonio Gagliardi e Filippo Lorenzon; FIGC Doctors: Enrico Castellacci and Carmine Costabile; Masseurs/Physios: Emanuele Randelli, Fabrizio Scalzi, Maurizio Fagorzi, Alfonso Casano; Osteopath: Walter Martinelli.
The Schedule
Thursday 22nd March
10:00 Training MD-1
16:45 Charter flight from Florence to Manchester
18:15 GMT Arrive in Manchester and transfer to the Etihad Stadium
19:00 GMT. Pitch inspection**
19:15 GMT Press conference MD-1 (Coach and one player)**
Friday 23rd March
19.00 GMT ARGENTINA vs. ITALY Referee: Martin Atkinson (ENG); Ass.1: Lee Betts (ENG); Ass.2: Constantine Hatzidakis (ENG) ; Fourth Official.: Craig Pawson (ENG)
To follow Post-match media activities, return to hotel
Saturday 24th March
11:00 GMT Training at MCFC Sport Centre (Closed)
Sunday 25th March
10:00 GMT Press conference (players)**
11:00 GMT Training at MCFC Sport Centre (Open to the media for the first 15 minutes)**
Monday 26th March
10:30 GMT Training at MCFC Sport Centre (Closed)
17:30 GMT Charter flight from Manchester to London Luton
18:30 GMT Scheduled arrival at Luton and transfer to Wembley Stadium
19:30 GMT Pitch inspection**
19:45 GMT Press conference MD-1 (Coach and one player)**
Tuesday 27th March
20:00 England vs. Italy
Post-match media activity and return to Italy to follow
Note
** Reserved to accredited media for the Argentina and England matches.
Source: figc.it