The Under-21 National Team’s adventure will resume in Slovenia. Three matches against Spain, the Czech Republic and the hosts await for the Azzurrini, who are looking to progress to the final phase of the European Championship: the quarter-finals in June.

The Under-21s have made it this far after finishing first in Group 1 during the qualifying group stage. The Azzurrini finished four points ahead of Iceland and six in front of the Republic of Ireland following eight wins, a draw and a single defeat, which they suffered away to Sweden.

Across ten matches, the team scored 27 goals and conceded just five, and they’re now dreaming of becoming European Champions again 16 years on from their fifth and last triumph. Ahead of the Azzurrini’s upcoming fixtures, Head Coach Paolo Nicolato has announced a 23-man squad that will get to work once the players have met up at the Olympic Training Centre in Tirrenia on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 March.

“The splendid way in which we qualified was the result of the commitment shown by many players. All of them would have deserved the chance to play in this final phase and I’m sad that some have missed out, including those who have picked up injuries. Making these choices wasn’t easy. We’ve assembled a very young team composed predominantly of players born between 1999 and 2002: only three were born in 1998. It won’t be easy, but I’m convinced that the lads will be able to display their quality and enthusiasm, well aware of the great opportunity that lies ahead.”

Italy have been inserted in Group B and will play between 24 and 31 March in Slovenia. The top two in each of the four groups will progress to the quarter-finals, which will take place in Hungary and Slovenia from 31 May to 6 June. The Azzurrini will first take to the pitch against the Czech Republic in Celje on 24 March, while they’ll then face Spain and Slovenia in Maribor on 27 and 30 March respectively.

Squad list

Goalkeepers: Marco Carnesecchi (Cremonese), Michele Cerofolini (Reggiana), Alessandro Plizzari (Reggina);
Defenders: Raoul Bellanova (Pescara), Enrico Delprato (Reggina), Gianluca Frabotta (Juventus), Matteo Gabbia (Milan), Matteo Lovato (Hellas Verona), Riccardo Marchizza (Spezia), Lorenzo Pirola (Monza), Luca Ranieri (Spal), Marco Sala (Spal), Gabriele Zappa (Cagliari);
Midfielders: Davide Frattesi (Monza), Giulio Maggiore (Spezia), Tommaso Pobega (Spezia), Samuele Ricci (Empoli), Nicolò Rovella (Genoa), Sandro Tonali (Milan);
Forwards: Patrick Cutrone (Valencia), Andrea Pinamonti (Inter), Giacomo Raspadori (Sassuolo), Gianluca Scamacca (Genoa).

Schedule

Saturday 20 March
Players and staff members arriving on Saturday to meet up by 23:00 CET at the Olympic Training Centre in Tirrenia. SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) molecular and rapid antigen testing.

Sunday 21 March
10:45 CET - Training (no press access)
Players arriving on Sunday to meet up by 23:00 CET. SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) molecular and rapid antigen testing.

Monday 22 March
10:45 CET - Training (no press access)
19:00 CET (tbc)- Chartered flight from Pisa to Ljubljana (ETA 21:00 CET) and subsequent transfer to Hotel A - Petrovče

Tuesday 23 March
11:00 CET – Training at the Ob Jezeru City Stadium, Slovenia (first 15 minutes open to the press)
14:00 CET – Press conference via Zoom (Nicolato + one player)
19:00 - Team walkaround at the stadium

Wednesday 24 March
16:00 CET – Technical meeting and subsequent departure for the stadium (Celje)
18:00 CET – CZECH REPUBLIC VS. ITALY. Post-match press conference via Zoom (Nicolato + two players) and transfer to the Grand Hotel Primus (Pot v Toplice 9, 2251 Ptuj)

Thursday 25 March
10:45 CET – Video analysis followed by training (no press access)
13:30 CET – Press conference at the Grand Hotel Primus
16:00 CET – Technical meeting

Friday 26 March
11:00 CET – Training at the Ob Jezeru City Stadium, Slovenia (first 15 minutes open to the press)
14:00 CET – Press conference via Zoom (Nicolato + one player)
19:00 CET – Team walkaround at the stadium

Saturday 27 March
19:00 CET - Technical meeting and subsequent departure for the stadium (Maribor)
21:00 CET - SPAIN VS. ITALY. Post-match press conference via Zoom (Nicolato + two players) and return to hotel

Sunday 28 March
10.45 CEST – Video analysis followed by training (no press access)
14:00 CEST – Press conference at the Grand Hotel Primus
16:00 CEST – Technical meeting

Monday 29 March
11:00 CEST – Training at the Ob Jezeru City Stadium (first 15 minutes open to the press
14:00 CEST – Press conference via Zoom (Nicolato + one player)
16:00 CEST – Technical meeting
19:00 CEST – Team walkaround at the stadium

Tuesday 30 March
19:00 CEST – Technical meeting and subsequent departure for the stadium (Maribor) 21:00 CEST – ITALY VS. SLOVENIA. Post-match press conference via Zoom (Nicolato + two players) and return to hotel  

Wednesday 31 March
Chartered flight from Maribor to Milan Malpensa Airport and then another chartered flight from Milan Malpensa Airport to Fiumicino

Group stage

Group A: Hungary, Germany, Romania, Netherlands
Group B: Slovenia, Spain, Czech Republic, ITALY
Group C: Russia, Iceland, France, Denmark
Group D: Portugal, Croatia, England, Switzerland

The Azzurrini’s fixtures
24 March: Czech Republic vs. ITALY (18:00 CET Celje)

27 March: Spain vs. ITALY (21:00 CET, Maribor)

30 March: ITALY vs. Slovenia (21:00 CEST, Maribor)