"Some loves never end, they make immense journeys and then return," goes a famous song that today, more than ever, perfectly encapsulates the relationship between Filippo Pagnucco, the Under 19 national team defender, and his beloved Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Tomorrow (16:30 CET, live streaming on the FIGC website), he will take to the field in Udine against his counterparts from the Czech Republic who, in the previous round, defeated Georgia 1-0 thanks to an early goal (4') by Zdeněk Toman.

"I'm returning to 'Friuli'," shares an excited Azzurrini player, born on 9 February 2006, in San Vito al Tagliamento, Pordenone province, "where it all began since, after starting to play football with Sanvitese (October 2011, note), I joined the very Academy of Udinese (August 2014, note): my heart's team." A dream, that of wearing the jersey of his idols, made possible by his mother Renata ("she decided to gift me a summer camp as a reward for my excellent school results"). His first time at the stadium as a fan, however, is thanks to his father Alessandro and uncle Ivano: "They took me with them - he recalls with a smile -: I was thrilled. The match was Udinese-Genoa 2-0: Di Natale and Floro Flores scored (6 May 2012)." Totò Di Natale, then captain of the bianconeri, was Pagnucco's idol who, before being picked up by Pordenone and adapted to the role of left-back at Juventus by Corrado Grabbi, played as a forward: "I always looked up to him - he admits. Today, on the other hand, I pay close attention to Andrea Cambiaso, whom I'm fortunate to admire up close at Juve. We share some characteristics and I really like his way of interpreting the role: the latest example, last night in the national team (Venezuela 1-2 Italy)." Speaking of the national team, his current coach in the Under 19s, Bernardo Corradi, also has a connection with Udinese, having played there for two seasons (from 2009 to 2011): "I've been a fan of his - he confesses - and, for two years, I've been lucky enough to be coached by him: he's a person who gives me a lot, both on and off the field."

Tomorrow afternoon, given the suspension due to the accumulation of yellow cards of AC Milan's Davide Bartesaghi, it might well be Pagnucco who has to give that something extra, both to his coach and to 'his' public: "My parents, my little sister (Giorgia) and all my friends will be there: the people who have always been close to me. I particularly care about doing well should I be chosen by the Coach."

The squad list:

Goalkeepers: Renato Bellucci Marin (Roma), Federico Magro (Lazio);

Defenders: Wisdom Amey (Bologna), Davide Bartesaghi (Milan), Fabio Cristian Chiarodia (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Christian Corradi (Hellas Verona), Filippo Calixte Mane (Borussia Dortmund), Filippo Pagnucco (Juventus), Marco Palestra (Atalanta);

Midfielders: Aaron Ciammaglichella (Torino), Luca Di Maggio (Inter), Jonas Harder (Fiorentina), Luca Lipani (Sassuolo), Mattia Mannini (Roma), Marco Romano (Genoa), Kevin Zeroli (Milan);

Forwards: Lorenzo Anghelè (Juventus), Giulio Misitano (Roma), Simone Pafundi (Lausanne), Diego Sia (Milan).

Staff - Head of delegation: Gianfranco Serioli; Coordinator of Youth Nationals: Maurizio Viscidi; Coach: Bernardo Corradi; Assistant coach: Mirco Gasparetto; Goalkeeping coach: Graziano Vinti; Fitness coach: Marco Montini; Match analyst: Francesco Donzella; Doctors: Paolo Manetti and Cristiano Benelli; Physiotherapists: Giuliano Gepponi and Tommaso Cannata; Nutritionist: Micol Purrotti; School tutor: Gabriele De Fraia; Press officer: Alessandro Paoli; Secretary: Aldo Blessich.

Schedule, results, and standings of Group 5 of the Elite Phase

First day (Wednesday, 20 March)

Georgia 0-1 Czech Republic

Scotland 1-3 ITALY

Standings: Italy and Czech Republic 3, Georgia and Scotland 0.

Second day (Saturday, 23 March)

16:30 CET: Czech Republic v ITALY (Friuli Stadium of Udine)*

12:00 CET: Scotland v Georgia (Giuseppe Morigi Stadium of Manzano)

Third day (Tuesday, 26 March)

14:30 CET: ITALY v Georgia (14:30 CET, Guigo Teghil Stadium of Lignano Sabbiadoro)*

14:30 CET: Czech Republic v Scotland (14:30 CET, Giuseppe Morigi Stadium of Manzano)

*live streaming on the FIGC website.