The azzurro blue colour is becoming a gift. Tommaso Baldanzi has tried on its various shades: first, the one of Empoli, and then, from the Under 16s and upwards for the National teams. For Baldanzi, a key player in the Under 19s' European Championships last year, his first call-up has arrived for the Under 21s for the double friendly header against Serbia and Ukraine."Baldanzi has earned it," Head Coach Paolo Nicolato said, "because he is very talented, and sees things that other players can't, as well as for his form in the league this season, so I think he deserves his chance." "Putting on the National team's shirt is emotional every time, and such a huge honour to represent the Italian people," said Baldanzi to figc.it. "I'm very happy to be here and I'm just looking to do my bit for the team."

In less than a year, Baldanzi's life has been turned upside down: his Serie A debut in May, the Under-19 call-up for the Euros in the summer (scoring his first-ever goal for the Azzurrini, against Romania), his first goal in Serie A for Empoli against Hellas Verona in August - adding three more to his tally in the meantime, including the winner against Inter at San Siro. He will celebrate turning 20 years of age in Serbia, on Thursday 23, and has already won two Scudetto titles at youth club level for the Under 16s and Primavera teams. "I'm really excited by this moment, but I'm trying to keep grounded and calm," he explains. "I need to work hard every day to improve, something which I feel I've done these past few years, earning me my place here. But I keep repeating to myself, every day, that the road is still very long. At the National team level, the Euros with the Under 19s was an unbelievable experience. It was a shame we got knocked out in the semi-finals, but we all have to believe we can feel these emotions and have these experiences again."

Tommaso is becoming an adult, and since September has been living alone in Empoli. But when he can, he is happy to go back home to see his family in nearby Castelfiorentino. "I'm also getting used to everyday life and habits. Living alone means I have to cook for myself and keep the house tidy; this is an important part of me growing up. I have a wardrobe full football shirts that I've worn these last few years: I hope to collect even more, starting from the next one with the Under 21s. My parents are extremely proud and happy, and it's really important for me to feel them close, just as it is with friends, who I meet up with as soon as I have some spare time." Empoli work and develop a lot of young players, and many have started, and passed through the National teams. "There's something very special there. Empoli are a big club, who took me under their wing, and developed me, from when I was eight years old. I will forever be grateful to every individual who has helped me on my journey to get here".

Baldanzi has met many "virtual" friends online through social media channels: "I receive lots of messages from people who compliment me, and also from fantasy football fans. I thank them for their faith, and I hope to continue to do well also for them." Also because, doing well mean getting good results, from a personal and team point of view. "I don't remember the 2006 World Cup because I was too young. But we all have that dream to bring the Azzurri back to where it belongs. There are always negative moments, in football and in life, but the most important thing is never stop working, believing and dreaming. Being a footballer has always been a dream of mine, but I'm still not there yet; I've got a long way to go."

News. After Monday's training session at CPO 'Giulio Onesti' in Rome, the Under-21 side set off for Serbia, with an afternoon training session scheduled on arrival. Goalkeeper Alessandro Sorrentino and defenders Andrea Carboni and Alessandro Zanoli have joined the group.

Live streaming. The games with Serbia and Ukraine will be shown live on the FIGC website and on the Men's National team's social network pages (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok).

Ticket Office. Tickets for the game against Ukraine on Monday 27 March can be bought at Vivaticket sales points and online at figc.vivaticket.it and vivaticket.com. Popular prices are set to remain along with discounts for Under 18s (click HERE for all the info).

Exhibition in Reggio Calabria. Reggio Calabria will be the first city to host 'Sfumature d'Azzurro' (shades of blue), the new travelling exhibition of the Museo del Calcio (Italy's Football Museum) that is to join the Under-21s in 2023. The exhibition tells the story and triumphs of the Men's National team, alongside those of the Youth and Olympic teams of the Azzurri, thanks to a selection of memorabilia and prized-objects from the Museum's collection at Coverciano. The 2006 World Cup, won in Germany, and the Euro trophy won in 2021 at Wembley, will be on show. Entry is free and for more information about dates and times, click here.

Squad List

Goalkeeper: Elia Caprile (Bari), Alessandro Sorrentino (Monza), Stefano Turati (Frosinone);
Defenders: Raoul Bellanova (Inter), Andrea Carboni (Venezia), Antonino Gallo (Lecce), Matteo Lovato (Salernitana), Caleb Okoli (Atalanta), Fabiano Parisi (Empoli), Niccolò Pierozzi (Reggina), Lorenzo Pirola (Salernitana), Matteo Ruggeri (Atalanta), Destiny Iyenoma Udogie (Udinese), Mattia Viti (OCG Nice), Alessandro Zanoli (Sampdoria);
Midfielders: Edoardo Bove (Roma), Cesare Casadei (Reading), Salvatore Esposito (Spezia), Giovanni Fabbian (Reggina), Nicolò Fagioli (Juventus), Samuele Ricci (Torino), Bruno Zapelli (Belgrano);
Forwards: Tommaso Baldanzi (Empoli), Matteo Cancellieri (Lazio), Lorenzo Colombo (Lecce), Samuele Mulattieri (Frosinone), Gaetano Pio Oristanio (Volendam)