Six months ago, Italy U19s’ only defeat – 2-0 against hosts England in the third matchday of the Elite Round – meant Italy did not secure a place in the 2019 European Championships. Five victories in their first five matches were not enough for the Azzurrine. After two defeats in their recent friendly matches in Spain, the journey to the next U19 European Championships kicks off at the Tirrenia Olympic Training Centre. The national team will meet on Tuesday 24 September to prepare for their European qualifiers.

24 players have received the call up from head coach Enrico Sbardella, who will announce the final squad of 20 players on Monday 30 September. Italy will play all three of their matches at the Artemio Franchi stadium in Siena and will commence on 2 October against Estonia. On Saturday 5th October, they come up against Slovenia and on Tuesday 8th October, they line up against Russia. The top two sides from each group plus the four third-placed teams with the best record against the top two in their group will qualify for the elite round draw.

Provisional squad

Goalkeepers: Beatrice Beretta (Juventus), Camilla Forcinella (Hellas Verona Women), Valentina Soggiu (Juventus);

Defenders: Paola Boglioni (Empoli Ladies), Margherita Brscic (Juventus), Heden Corrado (AS Roma), Michela Giordano (Juventus), Sara Novelli (Sassuolo), Francesca Quazzico (Inter), Chiara Ripamonti (Fiorentina Women’s), Martina Zanoli (Orobica Bergamo);

Midfielders: Anna Catelli (FC Inter), Sofia Colombo (FC Inter), Azzurra Corazzi (Fiorentina Women’s), Caterina Fracaros (FC Inter), Lucia Pastrenge (FC Inter), Ludovica Silvioni (Juventus), Silvia Zanni (Sassuolo);

Forwards: Federica Anghilleri (Empoli Ladies), Melissa Bellucci (Juventus), Asia Bragonzi (Juventus), Teresa Fracas (Sassuolo), Eleonora Galli (FC Inter), Serena Landa (Roma Calcio Femminile).

Coaching staff – Head coach: Enrico Maria Sbardella; Head of the delegation: Patrizia Recandio; Assistant coach: Elena Proserpio Marchetti; Athletic coach: Adalberto Zamuner; Goalkeeping coach: Davide Quironi; Match analyst: Simone Contran; Nutritionist: Alessio Colli; Physiotherapist: Camillo Piastra; Tutors: Monica Tamburri and Alessandro Milani.

Schedule for Group 8

ITALY vs. Estonia (15:00 - ‘Artemio Franchi’ stadium in Siena)
Slovenia vs. Russia (11:00 - ‘Santi Tiezzi’ stadium in Cortona)Matchday two (05 October)

ITALY vs. Slovenia (15:00 - ‘Artemio Franchi’ stadium in Siena)
Russia vs. Estonia (12:00 - ‘Santi Tiezzi’ stadium in Cortona)Matchday three (08 October)

ITALY vs. Russia (15:00 - ‘Artemio Franchi’ stadium in Siena)
Slovenia vs. Estonia (15:00 - ‘Santi Tiezzi’ stadium in Cortona