The FIGC can officially confirm that a friendly double-header between Italy and France’s Under-17 sides will take place at the start of December: the matches will be played on Tuesday 7 (14:30 CET) and Thursday 9 December (11:00 CET) at the Coverciano Federal Technical Centre.

Next up for Bernardi Corradi’s side will be the ‘Torneo dei Gironi’, which is scheduled to take place from 25 to 28 November at the Novarello sports centre. This three-day event will see 54 players, all of whom were born in 2005, get involved in in-house training matches as part of a three-way tournament that will give federal coaches the chance to assess youngsters who could make a contribution in the second phase of European qualifying in March.

Should certain players impress, they could get the chance to feature in the friendlies now scheduled against the French at Coverciano. The Under-18 National Team recently faced France in a double-header, with both teams recording a victory apiece. There have been twelve meetings between Italy and France at Under-17 level: five wins for the Azzurrini, six for the French and a draw.