The Under-17 National Team’s European adventure is about to begin, with Bernardo Corradi having selected the 20-man squad for the Azzurrini’s three qualifying round fixtures in Belfast: “For a coach, the hardest thing is telling young players that they haven’t made it for now. I know how difficult it is, but, at the same time, we’re trying to create a board group. I’ve told them that they’ll continue to be part of the Azzurri family and to stick at it because, as was the case with Matteo Pessina in the senior setup, their time can always arrive. The important thing is to always be ready.”

Satisfied with how the training camp has gone, Corradi underlined just how important international experience is for a young player: “This will represent a first step for them after missing out on competitive action at U15 and U16 level due to the pandemic. However, they will soon learn, and this first European outing consisting of knockout matches will make them grow quickly. They all have the technical ability, and we’ve given them more tools so they can believe in the potential they have.”

The Azzurrini, who have been placed in Group 12, will play Albania (27 October), Northern Ireland (30 October) and Scotland (2 November).  The 13 group winners, the 13 runners-up and the four third-placed teams with the best record against the first and second-placed teams in their group advance to the elite round. “We’ll discover the strength of our opponents out on the pitch, but I know that three competitive and physical battles await. Furthermore, the game against Northern Ireland will be played on synthetic turf, but we know all this already. We also know that, at youth level, the strength of a team often doesn’t depend on prestige. I have confidence in my lads and am sure that they’ll play to the best of their abilities in all of our matches, but,through this first big test, I’d like them to learn to have confidence in themselves and their teammates.”

Squad list

Goalkeepers: Federico Magro (Lazio), Paolo Raimondi (Inter);

Defenders : Fabio Chiarodia  (Werder Bremen), Saverio Domanico (Juventus), Mattia Malaspina (Milan), Filippo Calixte Mane (Sampdoria), Alessandro Milani (Lazio), Filippo Saiani (Spal), Nicolò Serra (Torino);

Midfielders: Bruno Kevin (Sassuolo ), Aaron Ciammaglichella (Torino), Marco Delle Monache (Pescara ), Luca Di Maggio (Inter), Luca Lipani (Genoa), Vincenzo Onofrietti (Borussia Dortmund), Fabio Parravicini (Spal;

Forwards: Alessandro Bolzan (Roma), Valentin Carboni (Inter), Giacomo Marconi (Parma), Alessio Vacca  (Juventus).

Staff: National Youth Team Coordinator: Maurizio Viscidi; Head Coach: Bernardo Corradi; Assistant Coach: Massimiliano Favo; Goalkeeping Coach: Davide Quironi; Fitness Coach: Luca Coppari; Match Analyst: Mirko Magistro; Doctors: Paolo Manetti and Alessio Rossato; Physiotherapist: Giuliano Gepponi; Nutritionist: Andrea Valigi; Secretary: Massimo Petracchini.

U17 European qualifying - Group 12: Albania, Northern Ireland, ITALY, Scotland

Calendar 

Wednesday 27 October

ITALY vs. Albania, Shamrock Park Stadium – Portadown, 20:00 CEST

Northern Ireland vs. Scotland

Saturday 30 October

Northern Ireland vs. ITALY, Invern Park – Larne, 16:00 CEST

Scotland vs. Albania

Tuesday 2 November

ITALY vs. Scotland, Shamrock Park Stadium – Portadown, 16:00 CET

Northern Ireland vs. Albania