Rolando Mandragora, who made five Serie A appearances with Genoa last season, was born in 1997 and so is the youngest member of the Azzurrini squad. “We’re a great group,” said the Pescara midfielder in an interview with VivoAzzurro (click here for the whole interview). “There are many individuals with great quality such as Bernardeschi, Cataldi, Romagnoli and Rugani. We’re a close-knit group. The match against Slovenia is only our first game, but we’ll play it as if it’s the most important game of the season.”
Mandragora is hoping to emulate Marco Verrattim who also made his breakthrough in Pescara. “We’re different players. It would be great though if I could follow in his footsteps.” The 18-year-old said this when asked to describe what type of player he was: “I’m a midfielder who loves to be on the ball a lot. I have good technique but I also carry out defensive tasks. My role model would be a player like Thiago Motta. I always try to give 100% for the team.”
Schedule (all times CEST)
Friday 4th September
17.00 – training (closed to the press)
Saturday 5th September
13.15 – meeting with press (players)
17.00 – training (open to the press) Sunday 6th September
10.00 – training (closed to the press)
16.05 – travel by train from Rome to Reggio Emilia and check into Hotel “Dei Medaglioni”- Correggio (RE) Monday 7th September
13.00 – lunch
13.15 – meeting with press at the Hotel “Dei Medaglioni
19.00 – training at “Mapei – Città del Tricolore” stadium (open to the press for the first 15 minutes) Tuesday 8th September
17.00 – Italy U21 vs Slovenia U21
at “Mapei – Città del Tricolore” stadium – RE
After the game there will be a press conference with the players   ]]>