They are our two most admired full-backs, even abroad, for their ability to combine both defensive and attacking sides of the game, as modern-day football requires them to do: Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Federico Dimarco were guests this morning on ‘Azzurri Live’, a programme run on the FIGC's social media channels live from Coverciano, where Spalletti's group of players are preparing for their upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and England.

“The next two games are key and wearing the shirt that represents your country is something very special," Dimarco said to hosts Federico Mosca and Barbara Cirillo in the programme staged by the FIGC's media house. "The full-back role? Over time it has evolved and it's a lot more enjoyable now; you find yourself playing further up the pitch.”

“It's always great to come back here to Coverciano and experience camp with my teammates," Di Lorenzo said. "It's really exciting to know that we'll have a full house at Bari on Saturday and they'll give us a big boost. Getting to wear this shirt is a dream and winning the Euro final was something really special and will stay with us forever. Going back to Wembley will be emotional; I will defenitely be reliving some great moments, not only from that evening but also from the journey I'm on."

In relation to next Tuesday's fixture against Gareth Southgate's side, the original leather ball used in the first-ever meeting between Italy and England was shown to two players - and viewers connected to FIGC's social channels - during the transmission. The game was played in Rome over 90 years ago, on 13 May 1933, and the ball is just one of the pieces of historic memorabilia that can be seen on display at the Museo del Calcio (Italy's football museum); it is found in the first room. The Azzurri's temporary lead – in a game that ended 1-1 - was provided by Giovanni Ferrari's goal, with the item being donated to the museum by the same Ferrari family.