Italy U21s coach Luigi Di Biagio said: “It is an important game. We’re playing against the team who is in first place at the moment and we have to make sure we play well and win the game. Slovenia have talented forwards and perhaps are in better condition than us at the moment. Slovenia players have won 160 caps including league and cups, while my players have played just 20-30. They are a tough opponent but we have improved and I am feeling optimistic“. Italy and Serbia are joint favourites for first place in the table but there is also a potential dark horse: “Every team can get points against us or against Serbia. Slovenia is one of those. Lithuania, Sovenia and Republic of Ireland look like they won’t be able to win the group but maybe in six months they’ll be on top. Play Republic of Ireland on the road is very difficult, for example“ continued Di Biagio, who has asked the Citizens of Reggio Emilia to attend the game and support Italy: “I hope to see many spectators at the stadium and that the result is similar to the last time we played at ‘Mapei Stadium’. In the last games we have scored three times, it will be nice if we continue this streak. The goal is to improve all aspects. Hopefully we will play well and if so, the result will come“. “Two years ago, the four players who were able to play for the U21 were in the senior national team. Those four players are now with us. The hope is that the players that play for the U21s can reach the senior national team and stay there permanently. I have many players who do not play regularly. We had seven or eight training sessions during those days and the improvement, which i saw, makes me happy. The results will show if we are on the right track or not“ said Di Biagio.
Gaetano Monachello is the new name in the Italian squad and will hope to make his debut tomorrow: “I’m very proud to get my first call-up and to be part of this squad. The experience, which I had in foreign countries may potentially help me. I played in different leagues and I know different cultures. I’m ready for the debut. The coach has the final say“. Schedule (all times CEST) 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 GAMES PLAYED BY THE UNDER-21 SIDE IN REGGIO EMILIA
The U21s have won all their four matches played in Reggio Emilia. Italy 1-0 Greece
7th February 1990, Friendly
Italy 3-1 Sweden
24th March 2011, Friendly
Italy 3-0 Northern Ireland
14th November 2013, European qualifiers
Italy 3-1 Slovakia
14th October 2014, Qualifying Play-off to the EUROs     
 
ITALY vs. SLOVENIA: HEAD-TO-HEAD
Italy and Slovenia have played each other 5 times: The Azzurrini have won 4 of these encounters and drawn the other one. The Under-21 side will take to the pitch twice in October: There will be the away game against Slovenia and then the match against the Republic of Ireland at the stadio ‘Romeo Menti’ in Vicenza. Here are the details of all matches between Italy and Slovenia. Slovenia 1-1 Italy
8th September 1994, European qualifiers, Nova Gorica
Italy 1-0 Slovenia
7th September 1995, European qualifiers, Vicenza
Italy 5-0 Slovenia
17th January 2001, Friendly, San Benedetto del Tronto
Slovenia 0-3 Italy
8th October 2004, European qualifiers, Nova Gorica
Italy 1-0 Slovenia
7th October 2005, European qualifiers, Vicenza UEFA 2017 UNDER-21 EUROPEAN QUALIFIERS. GROUP 2, AZZURRINI’S SCHEDULE
8th September 2015: Italy vs. Slovenia
8th October 2015: Slovenia vs. Italy
13th October 2015: Italy vs. Republic of Ireland
13th November 2015: Serbia vs. Italy
17th November 2015: Italy vs. Lithuania
24th March 2016: Republic of Ireland vs. Italy
29th March 2016: Andorra vs. Italy
2nd September 2016: Italy vs. Serbia
6th September 2016: Italy vs. Andorra
11th October 2016: Lithuania vs. Italy TICKETS
The prices are as follows:
 
•    OFFICIAL GALLERY            Euro 10,00
•    DISTINTI                                  Euro   5,00 ]]>