After two years representing the U21s, veteran Marco Carnesecchi is ready to take his place between the posts again after his time on the sidelines thanks to injury. And he does so whilst wearing the captain's armband, chosen to lead the side yesterday by coach Paolo Nicolato after Tonali was called up for the Men’s National Team. Since he first made his debut for the U21s, on September 6, 2019, in Catania in the friendly match against Moldova, won 4-0 by the Azzurri, the Azzurrino has made several leaps in his development, moving from the youth academy of Atalanta to a regular starter for Cremonese, also spending a year on loan at Trapani.

For someone who became a goalkeeper by chance, I’m not doing too badly: "I can't wait," Carnesecchi said at the recent press conference, "to wear the captain's armband will be a special experience, unfamiliar, unforgettable and probably slightly overwhelming. I have been in the national team since the Under-17s, I have also been in the Under-19s and Under-20s".

A new look Italy, second in the standings in their European qualifying group, just one point behind Sweden. And on Friday, they will take to the field at the 'Tallaght Stadium' in Dublin (live coverage on Rai2, 6.30 pm) in the side’s fifth match against the Republic of Ireland. "It is a very important step for our development, to start afresh and show up even stronger. It will be a good match to play, we are feeling good and we can’t wait to play we hope to get the three points before another test against a good team like Romania. I'm sorry that Tonali won't be there, his presence always makes a difference, he gives us balance, physicality and quality in the middle of the park, but with that said, we are well equipped to replace him, and we are ready to play even without an important player like Sandro".

The next-generation squad, which has three victories and a draw under its belt, is still finding its feet: "It's a new Italy, we are a group of guys who are playing together for the first time, who are slowly getting to know each other and working for each other. We have a lot of room for improvement, we can do great things and reach our goals".

Carnesecchi stayed in Serie B with Cremonese in order to get as much game time as he possibly could: "We are doing well and developing nicely: I chose that club also from a personal point of view, so I could stay on the same course that we began the year before at the club”.

Many goalkeepers who have gone on to forge a place in the starting XI of topflight teams have come through the Under-17 team: "There are some very big names who have come before me, such as Meret and Audero, and this fires me up, even more, making me work harder so I can reach their level.

Squad list

Goalkeepers: Marco Carnesecchi (Cremonese), Alessandro Russo (Alessandria), Stefano Turati (Reggina);

Defenders: Raoul Bellanova (Cagliari), Andrea Cambiaso (Genoa), Andrea Carboni (Cagliari), Gabriele Ferrarini (Perugia), Matteo Lovato (Atalanta), Caleb Okoli (Cremonese), Lorenzo Pirola (Monza), Giacomo Quagliata (Heracles Almelo), Giorgio Scalvini (Atalanta);

Midfielders: Salvatore Esposito (SPAL), Nicolò Fagioli (Cremonese), Filippo Ranocchia (Vicenza), Samuele Ricci (Empoli), Nicolò Rovella (Genoa), Iyenoma Destiny Udogie (Udinese);

Strikers: Matteo Cancellieri (Hellas Verona), Lorenzo Colombo (Spal), Lorenzo Lucca (Pisa), Samuele Mulattieri (Crotone), Roberto Piccoli (Atalanta), Emanuel Vignato (Bologna).

The Itinerary

Tuesday 9th November
10.30 - Training (open to RAI)
13.30 - Player press conference (RAI in attendance, zoom for all)
17.30 - Training (closed)
Wednesday 10th November
10.30 - Training (closed)
17:00 - Departure of charter flight Pisa-Dublin and transfer to The Address City West
(Kingswood Hotel) Naas Road, Kingswood, Dublin 22
Thursday 11 November
10.30 a.m. (l.t.) - Training (closed)
14.00 (l.t.) - Nicolato press conference (RAI in attendance, zoom in for all)
18.30 (l.t.) - Visit to Tallaght Stadium in Dublin
Friday 12th November
9.00 (l.t.) - Exclusive RAI interview with Nicolato
10.30 (l.t.) - Training session (closed)
17.30 (l.t.) - Tallaght Stadium in Dublin REPUBLIC OF IRELAND VS. ITALY
followed by a press conference (RAI in attendance, zoom in for all)
Saturday 13 November
10.30 (l.t.) - Departure of flight from Dublin - Pisa and transfer to Tirrenia C.P.O.
17.30 - Training (closed)
Sunday 14th November
10.30 - Training (closed)
13.30 - Press conference 1 player (zoom in for everyone)
17.30 - Training (closed)
Monday 15th November
9.00 - Departure of charter train Livorno-Frosinone and transfer c/o Silva Hotel Splendid – Fiuggi
14.00 - Technical press conference Nicolato (RAI in presence, zoom for all)
17.30 - Training at the stadium of Frosinone (open to the press for the first 15 minutes)
Tuesday 16th November
9.00 - RAI exclusive interview with Nicolato
10.30 – Recovery session
17.30 - Frosinone stadium ITALY - ROMANIA. Followed by a press conference (RAI in attendance, zoom for all) and conclusion of the trip