“We’re building a strong group with the aim of qualifying for the next European Championship at all costs. We’re Italy and we deserve to be taking part,” this was what Lorenzo Insigne had to say during today’s press conference at Coverciano, who’s now one of the most experienced players in this Azzurri squad. Since receiving his first call-up from Prandelli back in 2012, the Napoli captain has matured into a quality attacker who’s become a regular member of the National Team.

After celebrating his 28th birthday on Tuesday, Insigne issued a rallying cry just a few days prior to the team’s upcoming qualifiers against Greece and Bosnia and Herzegovina: “We’ve been studying Greece over the past few days and it won’t be an easy game. We must start strong and look to make the most of our qualities in between the lines right from the off. I have a great desire to increase my goalscoring tally for the National Team, up until now I’ve only scored four. Obviously, considering my age and skills, it’s now the time to give even more, both for Italy and my club.”

As for the recent Serie A campaign, Insigne added: “Enjoying a great season and not winning anything is always tough. As a Neapolitan and as a captain, there’s a lot of pressure and a lot is expected of me. Sarri to Juve? It’s disappointing to hear these rumours because he did a lot for us players and the Napoli fans. He was always on our side but as he said, he’s a professional. I hope that he changes his mind in the end.” Lastly, Insigne also discussed the Azzurrini’s upcoming involvement at the European Championship: “Italy’s Under-21s have a great squad and the players that’ll join from the National Team will certainly be of massive help. I hope that they can reach the final.”

Meanwhile, Juventus defender Leonardo Spinazzola today left Coverciano due to injury. He’ll now join Politano in missing out on the upcoming matches against Greece and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Alessio Cragno (Cagliari), Pierluigi Gollini (Atalanta); Salvatore Sirigu (Torino), Antonio Mirante (Roma);
Defenders: Francesco Acerbi (Lazio), Cristiano Biraghi (Fiorentina), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Mattia De Sciglio (Juventus), Emerson Palmieri (Chelsea), Alessandro Florenzi (Roma), Armando Izzo (Torino), Gianluca Mancini (Atalanta), Alessio Romagnoli (Milan);
Midfielders: Nicolò Barella (Cagliari), Federico Bernardeschi (Juventus), Bryan Cristante (Roma), Frello Filho Jorge Luiz Jorginho (Chelsea), Lorenzo Pellegrini (Roma), Stefano Sensi (Sassuolo), Marco Verratti (Paris Saint Germain), Nicolò Zaniolo (Roma);
Forwards: Andrea Belotti (Torino), Federico Chiesa (Fiorentina), Stephan El Shaarawy (Roma), Vincenzo Grifo (Friburgo), Ciro Immobile (Lazio), Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli), Moise Kean (Juventus), Leonardo Pavoletti (Cagliari), Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria).

Staff – Head Coach: Roberto Mancini; National Team Coordintaor: Gabriele Oriali; Assistant Coaches: Alberico Evani, Attilio Lombardo, Giulio Nuciari, Fausto Salsano; Fitness coaches: Claudio Donatelli and Andrea Scanavino; Goalkeeping coach: Massimo Battara; Match Analyst: Antonio Gagliardi; Doctors: Andrea Ferretti and Carmine Costabile; Physiotherapist: Maurizio Fagorzi, Emanuele Randelli, Fabrizio Scalzi, Luca Lascialfari, Fabio Sannino; Hosteopath: Walter Marinelli; Nutritionist: Matteo Pincella.
Squad schedule and media commitments

Wednesday 5 June
10:00 Training (closed door)
13:30 Press conference (players)
18:30 Training (first 15 minutes open to accredited press)

Thursday 6 June
10:00 Training (closed door)
13:30 Press conference (players)
18:30 Training (closed door)

Friday 7 June
09:00 Transfer to Florence airport
10:00 Flight from Florence to Athens
13:00 l.t.* Arrival and transfer to hotel
17:30 l.t. Press conference MD-1 c/o ‘OACA Spyros Louis Stadium’
18:00 l.t. Training MD-1 c/o ‘OACA Spyros Louis Stadium’ (first 15 minutes open to accredited press)

Saturday 8 June
21:45 l.t. MD3 Greece–Italy - ’Spyros Louis Stadium’

Sunday 9 June
11:00 l.t. Training (closed door)
15:45 l.t. Airport transfer
17:00 l.t. Flight from Athens to Turin
19:00 Arrival and transfer to the hotel

Monday 10 June
17:30 Press conference MD-1 c/o “Juventus Stadium”
18:00 Training MD-1 c/o “Juventus Stadium” (first 15 minutes open to accredited press)
Tuesday 11 June
20:45 MD4 Italy–Bosnia Herzegovina - “Juventus Stadium”