Having already qualified for the European Championships in Slovakia, the U21s' focus can now turn to training and preparations. In Tirrenia, Carmine Nunziata’s lads were at work on the first day of their training camp ahead of the double friendly test. On Friday 15 at Stadio Carlo Castellani in Empoli (16:15 CET, live on RaiSport) and Tuesday 19 November at Stadio Alberto Picco in La Spezia (18:15 CET, live on Rai 2) the Azzurrini will face France and Ukraine respectively - opponents who - like Italy - have already booked their ticket for the finals phase. Having picked up a knock, Edoardo Bove has left the camp whilst Luca Koleosho is undergoing tests to assess whether he will be available for the two games. Simone Pafundi will join the camp in Tirrenia having initially been called up for the U20s.

In the opening press conference, Nunziata spoke: “It has been a positive journey so far, a great journey. We have scored 27 goals and conceded only four, we are in a good place. Playing against big sides gives us a benchmark to improve on. The aim of this week is to improve on the few things we haven’t done well and affirm all the good things we have done. I would like to give some space to those who have been with us but have picked up fewer minutes”.

Italy has chosen to face other sides already qualified for the Euros: “These two games will give us a good assessment of our current level. We will work on all aspects of our game, also because we want to go to the Euros as one of the best and try to go all the way”.

In recent months, several players from the Under-21 side have received senior call-ups. “This is a pleasure for us: as well as working on getting results, the other fundamental thing is for lads to make it to the senior team, seeing some of them progress is a great source of pride. Our group is made up of 30 or 31 players, if someone has to be added in, we’re right to do so. We are here to improve the side. We’re following many lads: Camarda, who is in the U19s but not only. The international break in March could be the right time for them to try it out”.

Squad list

Goalkeepers: Sebastiano Desplanches (Palermo), Jacopo Sassi (Modena), Gioele Zacchi (Latina);
Defenders: Nicolò Bertola (Spezia), Giovanni Bonfanti (Pisa), Diego Coppola (Hellas Verona), Daniele Ghilardi (Hellas Verona), Gabriele Guarino (Carrarese), Michael Olabode Kayode (Fiorentina), Marco Palestra (Atalanta), Lorenzo Pirola (Olympiacos), Matteo Ruggeri (Atalanta), Riccardo Turicchia (Catanzaro), Mattia Zanotti (Lugano);
Midfielders: Tommaso Baldanzi (Roma), Alessandro Bianco (Monza), Cesare Casadei (Chelsea), Giovanni Fabbian (Bologna), Fabio Miretti (Genoa), Cher Ndour (Besiktas), Matteo Prati (Cagliari);
Forwards: Giuseppe Ambrosino (Frosinone), Francesco Pio Esposito (Spezia), Wilfried Gnonto (Leeds), Luca Koleosho (Burnley), Simone Pafundi (Losanna), Cristian Volpato (Sassuolo)

Schedule

Tuesday 12 November
10:30 CET: training (open to the media)

Wednesday 13 November 
10:30 CET: training (closed to the media)
14:00 CET: player press conference (Zoom and in person)

Thursday 14 November
10:30 CET: training (first 15 minutes open to the media)
14:15 CET: Nunziata press conference (Zoom and in person)

Friday 15 November
16:15 CET: ITALY vs. France, Stadio Carlo Castellani in Empoli (live onRaiSport)
Media activities and return to the CPO in Tirrenia

Saturday 16 November
11:00 CET: training (closed to the media)
Exclusive interviews on figc.it

Sunday 17 November 
11:00 CET: training (open to the media)
Interviews exclusive to Rai - La Domenica Sportiva

Monday 18 November
11:00 CET: training (first 15 minutes open to media)
14:15 CET: Nunziata press conference (Zoom and in person)

Tuesday 19 November 
18:15 CET: ITALY vs. Ukraine, Stadio Alberto Picco in La Spezia (live on Rai 2)
Media activities and departure