The Maurice Revello Tournament is about to begin in Vitrolles. Having arrived in France this morning, the Azzurrini took to the training pitch in the afternoon for their one and only session before their opening fixture against Japan on Tuesday (15:00 CEST kick-off). Twelve players out of the 26-man squad at the tournament have been called up to the U21s for the first time by Carmine Nunziata, who will try out various youngsters ahead of the resumption of the team’s EURO 2025 qualifying campaign in September: “Given the period, we thought it was appropriate to let the boys decide whether they should participate in this tournament; after all, many of them have had a busy season,” said Nunziata in his pre-match press conference. “We talked to them and their clubs. We’ve got new faces with us here no, but they’re all players who are part of the U21 radar. We now have the chance to see them from up close and understand whether some of them will soon be part of the group again.”

According to Nunziata, the difficulty lies in “transmitting playing concepts in a single session. However, I’ve coached many of these players before, so they already know a few things. In any case, we’re talking about high-quality players, including those of a very young age like Fini (born in 2006, Ed.). This tournament will help them gain international experience. I don’t know what the squad will look like in September, but having options is a positive thing.” Overall, it’s been a positive season for the U21s: the Azzurrini sit top of their qualifying group (despite a late setback against Türkiye in Ferrara) and various players are getting playing time for their respective clubs: “Compared to many previous seasons, our players played a lot during the campaign just gone and were able to showcase their talents, which is undoubtedly a positive. When you play two matches in three days, it’s important to have lads in good physical condition.”

While the players may change, the team’s philosophy will remain the same: “It’s been the same for years, and it’s one that is transmitted to us by Club Italia and Maurizio Viscidi,” continued Nunziata. “Beyond playing good football, we’ve achieved important results with the U20s, U19s and U17s, and I’d like to take the opportunity to wish Massimiliano Favo and his U17 lads the best of luck for Wednesday’s final against Portugal. In the last few years, we’ve continuously qualified for final tournaments and often made it to the latter stages. This is a very important sign and the reward for our hard work.”

The Azzurrini’s opening game will be against Japan: “I’ll try to give everyone playing time because every player has shown real willingness and attachment to the National Team shirt, so it’s only right for them to wear it,” concluded Nunziata. Ukraine, Panama and Indonesia are the other teams in Italy’s group, while Saudi Arabia, Ivory Coast, France, Mexico and South Korea are in Group A. The finals to determine each team’s placing will take place between Friday 14 and Sunday 16 June.

Squad list

Goalkeepers: Jacopo Sassi (Pro Vercelli), Filippo Rinaldi (Olbia), Gioele Zacchi (Giana Erminio);
Defenders: Nicolò Bertola (Spezia), Giovanni Bonfanti (Atalanta), Christian Dalle Mura (Ternana), Alessandro Fontanarosa (Cosenza), Daniele Ghilardi (Sampdoria), Edoardo Pieragnolo (Reggiana), Riccardo Turicchia (Juventus), Davide Veroli (Catanzaro), Mattia Zanotti (St. Gallen);
Midfielders: Alessandro Bianco (Reggiana), Giovanni Fabbian (Bologna), Giacomo Faticanti (Ternana), Luis Hasa (Juventus), Cher Ndour (Braga), Niccolò Pisilli (Roma), Franco Tongya (AEK Larnaca), Cristian Volpato (Sassuolo), Federico Zuccon (Cosenza);
Forwards: Leonardo Cerri (Juventus), Sebastiano Esposito (Sampdoria), Seydou Fini (Standard Liège), Rachid Kouda (Spezia), Antonio Raimondo (Ternana). 

MAURICE REVELLO TOURNAMENT - THE SCHEDULE 
Group A: Saudi Arabia, Ivory Coast, France, Mexico, South Korea
Group B: Ukraine, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Panama

GROUP B CALENDAR
Matchday 1 - Tuesday 4 June (Vitrolles)
15:00 CEST - ITALY vs. Japan (press conference to follow)
18:00 CEST Indonesia vs. Ukraine
No game for Panama

Matchday 2 - Thursday 6 June (Aubagne)
15:00 CEST - Ukraine vs. ITALY (press conference to follow)
18:00 CEST Indonesia vs. Panama
No game for Japan

Matchday 3 - Saturday 8 June (Fos)
14:00 CEST - Japan vs. Indonesia
17:30 CEST: Ukraine vs. Panama
No game for ITALY

Matchday 4 - Monday 10 June (Aubagne)
14:30 CEST - Ukraine vs. Japan
18:15 CEST - ITALY vs. Panama (press conference to follow)
No game for Indonesia

Matchday 5 - Wednesday 12 June (Salon)
14:30 CEST - Japan vs. Panama
18:15 CEST - ITALY vs. Indonesia (press conference to follow)

Finals

Friday 14 June
14:00 CEST - 9th-10th place (Arles)
18:00 CEST - 7th-8th place (Arles)
17:00 CEST - 5th-6th place (Mallemort)

Sunday 16 June
14:30 CEST - 3rd-4th place (Salon)
18:15 CEST - 1st-2nd place (Salon)