Following the Torneo dei Gironi, which saw 54 players born in 2007 take part in a three-way in-house tournament, the Under-17 National Team are set to meet up again, with a friendly double-header against France in store. The two fixtures will take place on Tuesday 7 (14:30 CET and Thursday 9 (11:00 CET) December, with Bernardo Corradi having the following to say ahead of the meetings: “France are always France and, in every match, be it a friendly or otherwise, everyone wants to prevail. It’ll be an important test.”

The Head Coach has called up 22 players (all of whom were born in 2007) for the upcoming games, including five brand-new faces: Michele Casali (AC Milan); Giovanni D’Aprile (Crotone); Matteo Tonon, who came through AC Milan’s youth ranks but is now at Dinamo Zagreb; Inter players Thomas Berembruch and Daniele Quieto. “I’m very happy with how the ‘Torneo dei Gironi’ went,” continued Corradi. “At least three of the new additions have been called up as a result of what they did during this tournament. After all, this is the purpose of it: to assess new players and, with it, their potential. I must say that all the lads did very well. Their approach was positive, and I could see how emotional some of them felt to wear the Italy shirt.”

For the games against France, Corradi will receive precious help from 2006 World Champion Andrea Barzagli, who is now a FIGC collaborator in the National Team Youth setup.

Squad list

Goalkeepers: Edoardo Motta (Alessandria), Paolo Raimondi (Inter):

Defenders: Michele Casali (AC Milan); Giovanni D’Aprile (Crotone), Saverio Domanico (Juventus), Mattia Malaspina (AC Milan), Filippo Calixte Mane (Sampdoria), Alessandro Milani (Lazio), Filippo Saiani (Spal), Nicolò Serra (Torino);

Midfielders: Luca Di Maggio (Inter), Luca Lipani (Genoa), Matteo Tonon (Dinamo Zagreb), Fabio Parravicini (Spal), Antonio Troise (Lazio), Thomas Berenbruch (Inter);

Forwards: Daniele Quieto (Inter), Kevin Bruno (Sassuolo), Alessandro Bolzan (Roma), Valentin Carboni (Inter), Alessio Vacca (Juventus), Marco Delle Monache (Pescara).

Staff: Head Coach, Bernardo Corradi; National Youth Team Coordinator, Maurizio Viscidi; Goalkeeper Coordinator, Nicola Pavarini; Assistant Coach, Massimiliano Favo; Second Assistant Coach, Andrea Barzagli; Goalkeeper Coach, Davide Quironi; Fitness Coach, Luca Coppari; Match Analyst, Mirko Magistro; Doctors, Sofia Caliaciura Clarich and Andrea Redler; Nutritionist, Andrea Valigi; Physiotherapist: Giuliano Gepponi; Secretary, Massimo Petracchini.