Di Biagio, who will have to do without suspended Cataldi, knows he can count on dangerous wingers Federico Bernardeschi and Domenico Berardi: “Bernardeschi is technically very skilful and can play in several positions. He has played on the right wing for us, but also in a five-man midfield with Fiorentina. He is quite versatile, he has understood how important it is to sacrifice for the team. Berardi is part of our group, in fact he is one of our leaders alongside Benassi. He is a shy guy, very polite, and I am very happy with him. He played a great game against Serbia, everybody expects a lot from him and he is the first to be upset when he doesn’t score. He is happy with us, obviously he would be happy to join the senior team too. Benassi, Bernardeschi, Romagnoli and Rugani are happy with us too, they are also ready for the Azzurri. I speak every day with Antonio Conte and he knows about it.”
This morning a delegation of the team has met around 200 students in Castel Di Sangro. AC Milan defender Davide Calabria and Cagliari forward Alberto Cerri explained them what it took to make their dreams come true. “To play in Serie A is the goal of every player, and to wear an AC Milan shirt is something which is very emotional for me. Nevertheless, being part of the national team is a real honour. I am proud of it and I hope you will have the same opportunity,” Calabria said to the young audience.
In the photo: the meeting between a delegation of the team and the students of the Patini-Liberatore institute in Castel di Sangro
Results and Group 2 table
Republic of Ireland 1-0 Andorra
Slovenia 4-0 Andorra
Andorra 1-0 Lithuania
Slovenia 3-0 Lithuania
Andorra 0-2 Republic of Ireland
ITALY 1-0 Slovenia
Serbia 5-0 Lithuania
Serbia 5-0 Andorra
Slovenia 0-3 ITALY
Republic of Ireland 3-0 Lithuania
Andorra 0-5 Slovenia
ITALY 1-0 Republic of Ireland
Lithuania 0-2 Serbia
Serbia 1-1 ITALY
Lithuania 3-1 Republic of Ireland
Table: ITALY and Serbia 10 points, Republic of Ireland and Slovenia 9, Andorra and Lithuania 3
Squadlist
Goalkeepers: Alessio Cragno (Cagliari), Gianluigi Donnarumma (AC Milan), Simone Scuffet (Como);
Defenders: Antonio Barreca (Cagliari), Davide Calabria (AC Milan), Mattia Caldara (Cesena), Andrea Conti (Atalanta), Cristian Dell’Orco (Novara), Alex Ferrari (Bologna), Adam Masina (Bologna), Alessio Romagnoli (AC Milan), Daniele Rugani (Juventus);
Midfielders: Marco Benassi (Torino), Nicolò Fazzi (Virtus Entella), Alberto Grassi (Atalanta), Rolando Mandragora (Pescara), Valerio Verre (Pescara);
Forwards: Domenico Berardi (Sassuolo), Federico Bernardeschi (Fiorentina), Kingsley Boateng (Bari), Alberto Cerri (Cagliari), Luca Garritano (Cesena), Gaetano Monachello (Atalanta), Alessandro Piu (Empoli).
Staff:
Head of Delegation: Giancarlo Antognoni;
Accompanying Director: Vincenzo Marinelli;
Vice Coordinator of Youth Football: Maurizio Viscidi;
Head Coach: Luigi Di Biagio;
Assistant Coach: Carmine Nunziata;
Secretary: Emiliano Cozzi;
Goalkeeping Coach: Antonio Chimenti;
Fitness Coach: Vito Azzone;
Medical Staff: Angelo De Carli and Carmine Costabile;
Masseurs: Enzo Paolini and Guido Mauro Ferrini;
Kitmen: Claudio Gagliardi and Andrea Russo.
Schedule
Monday 16th November
09:45 meeting between the FIGC delegation and students from the Istituto di
Istruzione Superiore “Patini Liberatore” in Castel di Sangro
14:00 Manager’s press conference at the Stadio T. Patini in Castel di Sangro
15:00 training at the Stadio T. Patini in Castel di Sangro (first 15 minutes open to the press)
Tuesday 17th November
17.00 match ITALY U21s – LITHUANIA U21s at the Stadio T. Patini in Castel di Sangro
Post match press meeting, squad disbands and players and staff return home.
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