At 14:00 CET tomorrow, the Under-20 National Team will face Romania, who currently lead the Elite League standings (even if they’ve played a game more). For Bollini’s side, it’ll be the fifth match in a tournament that has seen them pick up one win, draw on two occasions and lose once so far, with their only defeat coming in their last outing against the Czech Republic in Pesaro three days ago. The Romanian youngsters are currently led by former goalkeeper Bogdan Lobont, who played for Fiorentina in 2006/07 and then Roma between 2009 and 2018.

“A tough team to play: they are strong physically and good technically,” said Alberto Bollini when commenting on tomorrow's opponents. “We need to continue building on the intensity of our play and our team spirit, something which we’ve never lacked. Statistically, we’re a dangerous side, but if the outcome on the pitch isn’t a reflection of this, these numbers remain just numbers. We need to improve in the final third and make the most of the opportunities we’ve managed to create during matches.”

Squad list

Goalkeepers: Ludovico Gelmi (Feralpi Salò), Semuel Pizzignacco (Vicenza);

Defenders: Federico Bergonzi (Feralpi Salò) Edoardo Pierozzi (Alessandria), Nicolò Armini (Piacenza), Andrea Papetti (Brescia), Christian Dalle Mura (Cremonese), Diego Stramaccioni (Juventus), Federico Bonini (Gubbio);

Midfielders: Edoardo Bove (Roma), Emmanuel Gyabuaa (Perugia), Giuseppe Leone (Juventus), Alessandro Bianco (Fiorentina), Franco Daryl Tongya Heubang (Olympique Marsiglia), Tommaso Pantaleo Milanese (Alessandria), Alessio Riccardi (Roma);

Forwards: Gaetano Pio Oristanio (Volendam), Gianmarco Cangiano (Bologna), Giuseppe Di Serio (Benevento), Nikola Sekulov (Juventus), Luca Moro (Catania), Edoardo Vergani (Salernitana).

Staff: Head Coach: Alberto Bollini; Delegation Head: Evaristo Beccalossi; Secretary: Giulio Massi; Assistant Coach: Enrico Battisti; Fitness Coach: Marco Montini; Goalkeeping Coach: Graziano Vinti; Match Analyst: Francesco Donzella; Nutritionist: Cristian Petri; Doctors: Luca Labianca and Sofia Calaciura Clarich; Physiotherapists: Tommaso Cannata and Andrea Cantera. 

Results and standings

2 September: Poland 0-2 ITALY; Romania 2-1 Portugal; Czech Republic 0-2 Germany;

6 September: Germany 1-1 Norway; England 6-1 Romania;

7 September: Portugal 0-0 Poland;

7 October: England 1-1 ITALY; Portugal 1-2 Norway; Romania 2-1 Czech Republic; Poland 0-0 Germany

11 October: Czech Republic 0-5 England; Germany 4-0 Romania; Norway 1-5 Poland;

12 October: ITALY 1-1 Portugal

11 November: Portugal 2-0 England; Romania 2-1 Poland; ITALY 1-2 Czech Republic

Standings: Romania 9 points; Germany 8; England 7; ITALY, Poland and Portugal 5; Norway 4; Czech Republic 3