From Pescara to Castel di Sangro, England to Japan. After last Thursday's defeat, the Under-21 side on Monday (15:30 CEST, live on RaiSport), at the stadio Teofilo Patini, have another friendly game as they continue their preparations for the European Championships next year. Head Coach Paolo Nicolato wants to see the Azzurrini make further improvements from the game against England: "We deservedly lost the game because we made two vital errors at the start, and you can't do that if you want to win a game against such an opposition. But all the statistics, except the percentage of the number of shots on target respect to the total number of attempts, showed our performance to be good, and that pleased me and shouldn't be taken away because of the final result."   

The group also recognised the good things to come out of the game with England: "Yes, also the lads were happy, despite the result. This set of lads has quality in it, I just ask them to try and go out and do the things we have been working on, and play with their heads held high. Having done that against England is just as pleasing as winning," Nicolato said.

From the physicality of England to the pace of Japan, the characteristics of the opposition now change: "They are a strong side. They finished third in the Asian Championships, have extremely high technical skills and are very mobile around the pitch. They bring with them the values of their people. We'll have to make a few adjustments to adapt to the way they play, and we'll change a few players, too. I'm curious to see what progress my squad makes, that doesn't necessarily mean they have to translate it into the final result, that's just a consequence of the work done."

For Nicolato, it's important that the individual and the team collectively grow, and try to correct errors made: "I spoke with Bove, after what happened in the opening stages of the game with England, but there was no need too really. Edoardo can make as many mistakes as he wants, he'll always have my personal and professional support. They are errors that can happen, but when they are done with the right intentions in mind, I consider it just part of the learning process. They are needed to be able to take that next step forward." Also, Italy finished the game with ten men after Rovella's sending-off: "I cannot give worth to a red card, because you can be combative and aggressive without being sent off. Nicolò, though, demonstrates the right spirit to the squad. At certain times, you need to stay focused and balanced, but that is also something that needs to be learned. It's better to find these issues now than in June."

Ending with the lads who Nicolato had in the Junior sides and are now on the path to the First Team: "We are lucky to have a Head Coach who is giving opportunities to young players. If we have to give up a few players for the good of the First Team, then we need to be available to do so. It's also clear that credit must go to players like Pobega, Frattesi, Scamacca, Raspadori and many others. Giacomo has technical ability, intelligence, and an attitude to work. I'm so happy to have seen him score on Friday in Milan."

Against Japan, Juventus midfielder, Fabio Miretti will not be available and has left the camp after suffering an injury to his right ankle during training yesterday afternoon.

Squad List

Goalkeepers: Elia Caprile (Bari), Alessandro Sorrentino (Monza), Stefano Turati (Frosinone);
Defenders: Raoul Bellanova (Inter), Andrea Cambiaso (Bologna), Simone Canestrelli (Pisa), Alessandro Circati (Parma), Caleb Okoli (Atalanta), Fabiano Parisi (Empoli), Lorenzo Pirola (Salernitana), Matteo Ruggeri (Atalanta), Giorgio Scalvini (Atalanta), Mattia Viti (OGC Nice), Destiny Iyenoma Udogie (Udinese);
Midfielders: Edoardo Bove (Roma), Nicolò Fagioli (Juventus), Filippo Ranocchia (Monza), Nicolò Rovella (Monza), Emanuel Vignato (Bologna);
Forwards: Nicolò Cambiaghi (Empoli), Lorenzo Colombo (Lecce), Sebastiano Esposito (Anderlecht), Luca Moro (Frosinone).