Benassi, who participated in the 2015 Under-21 European Championship in Czech Republic, has been given the captain’s armband by manager Di Biagio: “To captain my national side…” said the Torino midfielder, “…makes me so proud. It’s an incentive to give even more every time I take to the pitch.” AC Milan defender Davide Calabria was given his first U21 call-up for these two qualifiers: “This call-up was amazing news for me,” commented Calabria, “I honestly didn’t expect it. If I’m here now, it’s because of the three appearances I made with my club AC Milan in Serie A. I wish to thank manager Mihajlovic for putting his trust in me. I’m very focussed on these two Euro qualifiers now: After the first training sessions, I can be fairly sure that we will set up in a very offensive 4-4-2 formation. I think this kind of formation can help my development as a player.” Schedule (all CET times) Tuesday, 6th October
10:00 – Training session (behind closed doors)
13:00 – Press conference at the hotel (players)
16:30 – training session (open to media)
21:25 – Flight AZ Fco/Trieste Ronchi dei Legionari and transfer to Slovenia at the “Hotel San Bernardin” –   (Koper) Wednesday, 7th October
12.45 – Press conference at the hotel (head coach)
18.30 – MD-1 training session at the SRC Bonifika stadium – Koper (open to media for the first 15’) Thursday, 8th October
18:30 Euro qualifier Slovenia vs. Italy – “SRC Bonifika” Stadium – Koper
Press conference after the match and transfer to “Felcaro” Hotel in Cormons Friday, 9th October
11:00 – Training session at the Stadio Comunale in Cormons (open to media) Saturday, 10th October
10.00 – Training session at the Stadio Comunale in Cormons (behind closed doors)     
17:00 – Training session in Cormons Sunday, 11th October
10.00 – Transfer to Vicenza at the “Tiepolo” Hotel
13.00 – Press conference at the hotel
16.30 – Training session at the stadio Comunale in Caldogno – Vicenza (open) Monday, 12th October
18.00 –   Press conference at the Stadio “Romeo Menti” in Vicenza (head coach)
19.00 – MD-1 training session at the Stadio “Romeo Menti” in Vicenza (open to the media for the first 15’) Tuesday, 13th October
17.00 Euro qualifier Italy vs. Republic of Ireland – Stadio “Romeo Menti” – Vicenza
Press conference after the match, followed by return of the players to their respective clubs.   ]]>