After four days of preparations at the Centro Acqua Acetosa Giulio Onesti in Rome, the Under-20 National Team have arrived in Biella, where they completed a training session this morning ahead of Monday’s match (14:00 CET kick-off) against Switzerland.

The match will be the Azzurri’s fifth of the 8 Nations Tournament. So far, they’ve beaten Poland, Czech Republic and Portugal and drawn with England after coming from behind, meaning they sit at the top of the standings, one point ahead of Germany. On Monday at the Stadio Lamarmora-Pozzo, Portanova and teammates will face the team at the bottom: entry will be free, with many pupils from schools in Biella set to attend and wave the 2000 Italian flags that have been produced for the occasion.

“We’re working really well, the group is united and there’s plenty of enthusiasm,” said Head Coach Daniele Franceschini ahead of the fixture. “The quality that the lads have displayed over these past few days of camp needs to be seen against Switzerland, who are a different side to what we’ve faced so far. They looked to use both their physicality and technical ability, we need to command the game and focus on our way of playing football.”

Following Juventus goalkeeper Leonardo Loria’s withdrawal, Fermana shot-stopper Luca Gemello has been called up. Meanwhile, Chievo Verona midfielder Salvatore Esposito has moved on up to the Under-21s, with Andrea Errico taking his place in the squad. Furthermore, Franceschini will have to do without Alessandro Tripaldelli, who has also joined Nicolato’s Under-21s for their matches against Iceland and Armenia. The Head Coach will thus have 22 players at his disposal.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Luca Gemello (Fermana), Simone Ghidotti (Pergolettese);
Defenders: Raoul Bellanova (Girondins Bordeaux), Alessandro Fiordaliso (Venezia), Gabriele Bellodi (Crotone), Alessandro Buongiorno (Torino), Filippo Delli Carri (Juventus), Gianluca Frabotta (Juventus), Matteo Lovato (Padova);
Midfielders: Manolo Portanova (Juventus), Alessandro Mallamo (Juve Stabia), Andrea Errico (Viterbese), Andrea Danzi (Hellas Verona), Andrea Colpani (Trapani), Hans Nicolussi Caviglia (Perugia);
Forwards: Giacomo Raspadori (Sassuolo), Gabriele Gori (Arezzo), Emanuel Vignato (Chievo Verona), Domenico Roberto Alberico (Hoffeneim), Pomilio Lima Da Silva Costa Andre’ Anderson (Lazio), Gennaro Borrelli (Delfino Pescara), Marco Olivieri (Juventus).

Staff: Delegation Head Filippo Corti; Coordinator: Maurizio Viscidi; Secretary: Fabio Ferappi; Coach: Daniele Franceschini; Assistant Coach: Elvis Abbruscato; Goalkeeping Coach: Antonio Chimenti; Fitness Coach: Luca Coppari; Match Analyst: William Mazzanti; Doctors: Lorenzo Ticca and Matteo Vitali; Nutritionist: Alessio Colli; Physiotherapist: Andrea Cantera.

8 Nations Fixtures

5 September: Italy 2-0 Poland
9 September: Czech Republic 0-2 Italy 
10 September: Italy 2-2 England 
15 October: Portugal 3-4 Italy
18 November: Italy vs. Switzerland
27 March: Germany vs. Italy
31 March: Italy vs. Netherlands 

 

Standings: Italy 10 points; Germany 9; Portugal, Netherlands and England 5; Czech Republic 4; Poland 3; Switzerland 2.