For almost 20 years, he worked with Daniele Arrigoni and that means they often just need to look at each other to understand one another. Luigi Corino is the assistant coach of the University National Team and he arrived in 2015 after gaining experience at lots of different Italian teams. Mexico will be the first opponents on 2 July and the Azzurrini are continuing to prepare in Rome.

“The guys have made themselves totally available, they’re conducting themselves as a team even if there’s not much time. That’s the right approach.” Before reducing the squad to 20, a lot of work was done on the mental side. “Arrigoni has had direct contact with the players, he’s spoken to them often. There’s been a lot of work behind the scenes so that we had clear ideas in place for when it’s time announce the squad. The way how the players are behaving off the pitch shows that good decisions were made. They’re showing full effort, they want to start at this tournament. Like the rest of us.” Do you and Arrigoni exchange ideas? “We’re a working group and we’ve known each other for some time. At times you don’t even need to speak, because you already understand one another.”

How will this team play? “We’ll be solid but look to strike at the right moment when it’s right to do so. We’ll adapt according to the situation but the result has to be a consequence of our strength.” A 4-4-2? “I would say that yes, that’s the foundation.”