Two matches against Romania, Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina and then Croatia. Italy are on a new path under Alessio Musti and preparing for the most important engagement of the first year which is the Main Round of World Cup qualification. It will be at the PalaSele in Eboli starting from 24 October with matches against Hungary, England and Belarus. The top two sides will qualify for the subsequent Elite Round. It’s a long road to Lithuania 2020 but the Italy side is ready. “We can’t wait to play,” said Alessio Musti. “In these months, we’ve played in some big matches but they’ve always been friendlies. In Eboli, it will be totally different and we’re motivated for this Main Road.” 

With Musti on the bench, Italy have won three, drawn two and lost one. “We’ve been developing consistently and we want to test ourselves at a competitive level without changing our ideas and while valuing the players who developed in our youth systems,” the Coach continued. “We’re happy to arrive at the Main Round of World Cup qualification with the highest number of homegrown players with the project providing a number of useful players for this project in under a year. The project is still young with three training camps and 20 sessions so far, time will be needed but we need to go again while being as competitive as possible with the players who have provided the foundations over the past years and the players who have raised the technical standard with the help of the more experienced players.” 

Italy already have an identity and clear plan. “Certain situations have to be perfected and improved on following the two Croatia games,” added Musti. “In Eboili, we’ll have an intense week of work to best prepare for the game.” Eboli and the PalaSele can also help the team: “We’ve picked this location because of the warmth that they’ve always shown. I’m sure that the crowd will play a big role. Playing at home in World Cup qualification can also create pressure and expectations and we’ll have to do well in the first game above all to deal with it.”