The Under 21s have started their training camp in Castel di Sangro ahead of their two friendlies on Thursday 22 September at 17:30 CEST at Adriatico-Giovanni Cornacchia stadium in Pescara against England (live on Rai 2), and on Monday 26 September at 15:30 CEST at Teofilo Patini stadium in Castel di Sangro against Japan (live on RaiSport). The games will be important tests as preparations for nest summer's European Championships start: "We have four games to prepare for the Euros, two now and then two in March. This is why I asked to face quality sides who will test us", Paolo Nicolato said in his press conference. "From these games, we'll be able to understand what we need to work on. We're coming off the back of ten games unbeaten, but we need to compare ourselves with the best. I hope the lads don't play these games as friendlies, the same for me. We know we've got some tough games ahead and I want to see how the team reacts to the opposition".

There's also satisfaction in seeing various young players getting time on the pitch with their respective clubs: "Getting the chance to play can only be a benefit", explains Nicolato, "I hope it continues because that's what they need, and I say to them that that is what they must aim for. Our selections are made from the First Team's selections, which has the priority. We base our choices based on theirs. If the First Team needs players, then those players go there. If they are fully covered, then we take them.There's a lot of time between now and the Euros but we need to be ready and have the team as competitive as possible".

During the qualification stages, the Under 21s used several systems: "i don't have a pre-set of ideas that players must adapt to, it's my job to put those players in a system that brings out the best of them for the team", explained the Head Coach, "The way we set up is based on the players we have at our disposal and their condition, and also based on the opposition's tactical setup. I always try to select players who can adapt quickly, and I'm not talking about a tactical system but a concept". 

One of the issues underlined by Nicolato "is that about finding attacking players. We're forced to find ways to develop ourselves but without those kinds of players. In any case, I believe that the right product can be made with the materials one has at their disposal. We need to raise bar of quality in general. The problem is about age but about quality: age is all relative".

TICKET INFO: Tickets for the games in Pescara and Castel di Sangro can be purchased online at figc.vivaticket.it and vivaticket.com or at Vivaticket allocated sales points. There are special reduced prices for Under 18s.

CLICK HERE for Italy vs. England tickets

CLICK HERE for Italy vs. Japan tickets

Squad List
Goalkeepers: Elia Caprile (Bari), Alessandro Plizzari (Pescara), Alessandro Sorrentino (Monza) Stefano Turati (Frosinone);
Defenders: Raoul Bellanova (Inter), Andrea Cambiaso (Bologna), Simone Canestrelli (Pisa), Alessandro Circati (Parma), Giorgio Cittadini (Modena), 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), Salvatore Esposito (SPAL), Nicolò Fagioli (Juventus), Fabio Miretti (Juventus), Filippo Ranocchia (Monza), Nicolò Rovella (Monza), Emanuel Vignato (Bologna);
Forwards: Nicolò Cambiaghi (Empoli), Lorenzo Colombo (Lecce), Sebastiano Esposito (Anderlecht), Luca Moro (Frosinone), Pietro Pellegri (Torino).