Two countries with four World Cups (Italy:4, Uruguay:2) between them will face off when they meet at the Allianz Riviera in Nice at 20:45 CEST tomorrow. It’s the penultimate match of the season for the Azzurri ahead of the World Cup qualifier with Liechtenstein in Udine.
Without Verratti who has left the squad with an adductor issue, Gian Piero Ventura has no doubts about the psychological state of his Juventus players following defeat to Real Madrid at the Champions League final in Cardiff. “I’ve always argued that great players are ready to turn a new page 48 hours after a match because there are new things waiting for them whether they have won or lost. We know the professionalism and desire that these players have and they’ve rediscovered that immediately. I have no doubts, there won’t be any issues in this regard.”
Ventura also gave some indications about the tomorrow’s team. “Donnarumma will play in goal,” he revealed. He also responded to reports linking him with a move to China. “There’s nothing to explain, it’s flattering if there’s been interest as Suning are one of the main economic powers in the sport. But, the fact is that I’m the Italy manager and we’ve started on a project with a generational change that I wanted and I believe that the logical conclusion will be to carry that forward. It was discussed with the Federation whether we can reach the European Championship with these guys, to bring consistency in the medium and long term. All of the rest is part of our world and I accept that but this is the naked truth.”
Italy’s record against South American sides isn’t the best but Ventura is regarding this as motivation. “It’s an important test because Uruguay are a tough side for us, they’re not afraid of anybody. Therefore, I don’t think the discussion is of an ordinary friendly.” Italy have two more matches before the end of the season but Ventura’s focus is naturally floating towards the decisive match against Spain. “There’s a will among the boys to play these games and to develop together. While they’ll deserve their holidays, they will all be focused. My worry is about conditioning as we’ll face Spain after two league matches and there’s a risk the players won’t be at their top but otherwise I believe that all of the players want to test themselves against a strong side at a difficult venue like the Santiago Bernabeu. There’s the conviction that they’re all capable of doing something important now, but above all, later. The withdrawal of Verratti was decided on for this reason. We have two important qualifying matches ahead of us but the Spain one above Liechtenstein.”
Without Buffon, Daniele De Rossi will take the captain’s armband. “The Uruguay match is an important one. It’s clear that we have to get points from key qualifiers ahead of the World Cup but we also have to get our ranking as high as possible. As we’ve seen in the past, this can be decisive in the drawing of the groups at a World Cup finals. Therefore, a win tomorrow would help us a lot. We often talk about appearances and statistics for Italy. The last time when I matched Zoff I didn’t finish the game so I’ll avoid it…seriously though, I’m now close to Pirlo so we’re talking about greats of Italian football who have made their mark. To be around certain names makes me very happy.”
Italy vs. Uruguay: Italy will be playing for the second time in Nice. The Allianz Riviera will see two of the most successful teams in world football meet. Italy can boast of four World Cups, one European Championship while Uruguay have won two World Cups, 15 Copa Americas and two Olympic gold medals.
Italy vs. Liechtenstein: Four days after the match in France, Italy will be back in European Qualifying action. Liechtenstein can’t be underestimated as the Azzurri look to remain at the top of Group E with Spain who face FYR Macedonia at the same time in Skopje. Albania will face Israel in Haifa. It will be the last match of the season for the Azzurri in Udine before they return against Spain in Madrid on 2n September in a crucial fixture.
Udine Città Azzurra. For the match, the Friulian city will welcome Italy with a number of events promoted by the FIGC and the council to bring together fans, promote grassroots football and the positive values of sport. The World Cup trophies will also be on display along with the Under-21s’ three European Championships at Palazzo Morpurgo.
Social Responsibility. The FIGC will work together with the UNHCR for the match as part of the ‘Together with Refugees’ scheme on with the International Day of the Refugee on 20th June. UNHCR representatives will also be in attendance at UNHCR to see the the final of the Goal! Project.
Squad Numbers for Uruguay Friendly
Goalkeepers: 1 Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), 12 Gianluigi Donnarumma (Milan), 24 Simone Scuffet (Udinese);
Defenders: 13 Davide Astori (Fiorentina), 15 Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), 19 Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), 3 Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), 2 Andrea Conti (Atalanta), 21 Danilo D’Ambrosio (Inter), 4 Matteo Darmian (Manchester United), 25 Gian Marco Ferrari (Crotone), 14 Leonardo Spinazzola (Atalanta);
Midfielders: 16 Daniele De Rossi (Roma), 8 Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), 18 Riccardo Montolivo (Milan), 5 Lorenzo Pellegrini (Sassuolo);
Wingers: 20 Federico Bernardeschi (Fiorentina), 6 Antonio Candreva (Inter), 22 Stephan El Shaarawy (Roma), 7 Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli);
Forwards: 9 Andrea Belotti (Torino), 17 Eder Citadin Martins (Inter), 23 Manolo Gabbiadini (Southampton), 11 Ciro Immobile (Lazio).
Schedule
Tuesday 6th June MD-1
h. 10.30 Training (first 15 minutes open to the press)
h. 17.00 AZ charter flight from Florence to Nice
h. 18.10 Arrive in Nice and travel to Stadio Allianz Riviera
h. 18.45 Walk Around
h. 19.00 Press conference for coach and one player
Uruguay’s schedule
h. 10.00 Training at the Allianz Riviera (first 15 minutes open to the press)
h. 11.15 Press conference at the Allianz Riviera
Wednesday 7th June MD
h. 20.45 FRIENDLY MATCH ITALY vs. URUGUAY
Meeting with the media after the match, before then travelling back to the hotel
Thursday 8th June
h. 11.00 AZ charter flight from Nice to Florence
h. 12.05 Arrive in Florence and travel to Coverciano
h. 17.00 Training (first 15 minutes open to the press)
Friday 9th June
h. 10.30 Training (closed door)
h. 13.00 Access for the media
h. 13.45 Meeting the media (players)
h. 17.00 Training (first 15 minutes open to the press)
Saturday 10th June MD-1
h. 10.30 Training (first 15 minutes open to the press)
h. 17.45 Charter flight from Florence to Trieste
h. 18.45 Arrive and travel to the Stadio Friuli in Udine
h. 19.45 Walk around
h. 20.00 Press conference for coach and one player
Liechtenstein’s schedule at the Stadio Friuli:
h. 18.00 Liechtenstein’s press conference
h. 18.30 Liechtenstein training session (first 15 minutes open to the press)
Sunday 11th June MD
h.20.45 QUALIFIER ITALY vs. LIECHTENSTEIN
Meeting the media after the match
Source: figc.it