The Under-19 National team, reigning champions of Europe, continune their preparations ahead of the first phase of Euro qualifying, which sees them take on hosts Sweden, as well as Switzerland and Liechtenstein. After playing two friendlies against Northern Ireland in Prato in September (a 3-2 win) and the Netherlands (a 2-0 defeat), the Azzurrini will next fly off to Serbia for another two friendlies to face the home side.

For the two games, scheduled for Wednesday 11 (18:00 CEST) in Gornji Milanovac and Saturday 14 October (16:00 CEST) at the Serbian Federal Centre in Stara Pazova, Head Coach Bernardo Corradi has called up 22 players: 18 from the class of 2005 and four from the class of 2006 (Bakoune, Mannini, Cisse and Pafundi).

Among those selected are two young rising stars who have risen quickly through the ranks: the first is 17-year-old and Udinese forward Simone Pafundi, who on 16 November 2022, at the age of just 16 years, eight months and 2 days, became the youngest debutant for Italy's senior team since 1911; the second is Bologna defender Wisdom Amey, who on 12 May 2021, at the age of 15 years and 274 days, became the youngest-ever player to debut in Serie A history. Two weeks ago, after just turning 18 years old on 11 August, Amey received Italian citizenship, and consequently, his first international call-up.

 

Squad List

Goalkeepers: Alessandro Calligaris (Inter), Federico Magro (Lazio);
Defenders: Wisdom Amey (Bologna), Adam Bakoune (Milan), Davide Bartesaghi (Milan), Fabio Cristian Chiarodia (Borussia Monchengladbach), Christian Corradi (Hellas Verona), Filippo Calixte Mane (Borussia Dortmund), Marco Palestra (Atalanta), Filippo Saiani (SPAL);
Midfielders: Thomas Berenbruch (Inter), Luca Di Maggio (Inter), Luca Lipani (Sassuolo), Mattia Mannini (Roma), Fabio Parravicini (SPAL), Diego Ripani (Juventus);
Forwards: Lorenzo Anghelè (Juventus), Alphadjo Cisse (Hellas Verona), Marco Delle Monache (Sampdoria), Giulio Misitano (Roma), Simone Pafundi (Udinese), Kevin Zeroli (Milan).

Staff – Head Coach: Bernardo Corradi; Assistant Coach: Mirco Gasparetto; National Youth Setup Coordinator: Maurizio Viscidi; Fitness Coach: Marco Montini; Goalkeeping Coach: Graziano Vinti; Match Analyst: Francesco Donzella; Doctors: Paolo Manetti and Sebastiano Porcino; Nutritionist: Micol Purrotti; Physiotherapists: Giuliano Gepponi and Giorgio Giannini; Secretary: Aldo Blessich.