Six goals in seven games and top of the Serie B goalscoring charts: it’s been an excellent start to the season for Pisa striker Lorenzo Lucca, who, thanks to his performances at club level, got to experience his Under-21 debut against Montenegro in Euro qualifying in September. Indeed, the 21-year-old came on for Colombo and even came close to scoring during the 20 or so minutes he spent on the pitch. He’s received many compliments recently, with the attacker also pleased to hear the words of Roberto Mancini, who mentioned his qualities and said that he’s following him with interest.

“I’m really happy with the work I’m doing and that Mancini said what he said about me,” said Lucca today. “I always try to give my all and improve week by week. My dream? I’m working to do as well as I possibly can and giving absolutely everything to achieve new objectives.”

Born in Moncalieri, which is located close to Turin, his career began in Torino’s youth ranks, where he remained until he was 16, and his development continued at Chieri and then Atletico Torino. Physically, he resembles Luca Toni, but his idol is Ibrahimovic: “Although I’m over two metres tall, I’m good with my feet, even if my main strengths are my physicality and heading ability. I played at amateur level with the aim of climbing the ladder, a path that really helped me understand the difficulties involved before reaching a professional level. In my own small way, I’ve always tried to give my all, observing better and more experienced players in the process. My point of reference? Ibrahimovic is one of the best strikers in the history of football. Now, there’s Haaland, who, like myself, is young. I really admire his physicality and the way he moves with the ball. He also scores goals, so he’s a complete forward.”

Lucca hasn’t had any problems with settling into the U21 setup: “I certainly owe a lot to my club, the city, the fans and my teammates: everyone has put their trust in me and I’m experiencing a great period. I’m calm. As regards the U21s, we’re a strong and competitive team, also because there are players who play in Serie A in addition to the many in Serie B. I have a particularly close relationship with Mulattieri, who I spoke with straight away, and Papetti. I feel that the next two matches against Bosnia and Sweden are very important. I have the fortune to be here, we’re focused and must have one objective: winning.”

Squad list

Goalkeepers: Semuel Pizzignacco (Vicenza), Alessandro Russo (Alessandria), Stefano Turati (Reggina);

Defenders: Raoul Bellanova (Cagliari), Riccardo Calafiori (Roma), Andrea Cambiaso (Genoa), Simone Canestrelli (Crotone), Andrea Carboni (Cagliari), Gabriele Ferrarini (Perugia), Matteo Lovato (Atalanta), Kaleb Okoli (Cremonese), Lorenzo Pirola (Monza), Iyenoma Destiny Udogie (Udinese);

Midfielders: Marco Brescianini (Monza), Salvatore Esposito (Spal), Nicolò Fagioli (Cremonese), Filippo Ranocchia (Vicenza), Samuele Ricci (Empoli), Nicolò Rovella (Genoa), Sandro Tonali (Milan);

Forwards: Matteo Cancellieri (Hellas Verona), Lorenzo Colombo (Spal), Sebastiano Esposito (FC Basel), Lorenzo Lucca (Pisa), Samuele Mulattieri (Crotone), Roberto Piccoli (Atalanta), Emanuel Vignato (Bologna).

Schedule (all times CEST) 

Tuesday 5 October 2021

10:30 Training (footage to be filmed by RAI)

13:30 Press conference – player (RAI in attendance, otherwise broadcast via zoom)

17:30 Training (behind closed doors)

 

Wednesday 6 October 2021

10:30 Training (behind closed doors)

17:00 Charter flight Pisa – Sarajevo and subsequent transfer to Zenica Hotel (approx. 1 h.)

 

Thursday 7 October 2021

10:30 Training (behind closed doors)

14:00 Press conference – Head Coach Nicolato (RAI in attendance, otherwise broadcast via zoom)

17:30 Technical meeting

19:00 Visit to the FF BH Football Training Centre

     

Friday 8 October 2021

09:00 Exclusive RAI interview – Nicolato

10:30 Training (behind closed doors)

12:55 Technical meeting

17:30 FF BH Football Training Centre

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA VS. ITALIA 

Post-match press conference to follow (RAI in attendance, otherwise broadcast via zoom)                               

Saturday 9 October 2021

11:00 Charter flight Sarajevo – Milan Malpensa and subsequent transfer to Novarello Villaggio Azzurro via Dante Graziosi,1 Granozzo con Monticello

17:30 Training (behind closed doors)

 

Sunday 10 October 2021

10:30 Training (behind closed doors)

14:00 RAI interview with Nicolato for La Domenica Sportiva

17:30 Training (behind closed doors)

20:10 Technical meeting

Monday 11 October 2021

10:30 Training (behind closed doors)

14:00 Press conference – Head Coach Nicolato (RAI in attendance, otherwise broadcast via zoom)

16:00 Departure for hotel in Monza area

19:00 Visit to Stadio Brianteo in Monza

 

Tuesday 12 October 2021

09:30 Exclusive RAI interview – Nicolato

10:30 Muscle workout

12:40 Technical meeting

17:30 Stadio Brianteo

ITALY VS. SWEDEN

Post-match press conference to follow (RAI in attendance, otherwise broadcast via zoom) and subsequent return to respective clubs