“Two wins and development as a group, we have the potential to do that. These are our objectives for the next two matches.” Cagliari defender Luca Pellegrini looked to motivate the side ahead of the next two qualifiers for the 2021 Under-21 EURO against Iceland at the Stadio Paolo Mazza in Ferrara on Saturday at 18:30 CET and against Armenia on Tuesday 19th November at the Stadio Angelo Massimino with kick-off at 18:30 CET in Catania.

A year on from his Under-21 debut on 11 October 2018 in Udine against Belgium, the player has also gained experience in the senior set-up after being called up Roberto Mancini for the two EURO 2020 qualifiers against Armenia and Finland.

“The senior team was something that I had been dreaming of since the age of four or five but I like to think about the present above all,” he added. “Wearing the Azzurri’s shirt is always an honour. Ours is a united group and this period will certainly help us to become even closer and understand each other even better on the pitch.”

Currently third in Group 1, two points behind Iceland and three points behind the Republic of Ireland who have played one and two games more respectively, the Azzurrini have the opportunity to make the most of home advantage to move up a position and keep up in the race for qualification. The first of the two matches will be against Iceland. Unbeaten and with a clean sheet after three matches, the Italy Under-21s are ready for the challenges that the next two matches will throw up. “It doesn’t matter who the opponent is, the six points up for grabs are what matter and we need to look to finish as high as possible,” Pellegrini added. “Also by making mistakes because you improve by making errors.”

This is a positive time for Luca Pellegrini with his Cagliari side third in the table, level with Lazio and only behind Inter and the leaders Juventus. “Everyone’s a bit surprised but I'm not. That’s because I see how humbly and professionally we work in the week because we’re a real family with leaders on the pitch who make us understand what to do. We approach all of our matches with a sense of happiness and enthusiasm, the group gives strengths to the individual. For me, it’s really satisfying and I’m enjoying our league position during this international break.”

Today, the Under-21 National Team had a double training session. Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni returned to his club due to an injury and Paolo Nicolato has called up Venezia defender Nicolò Casale to replace him and it’s his first Under-21 call-up.

Squad List

Goalkeepers: Marco Carnesecchi (Trapani), Mattia Del Favero (Piacenza), Alessandro Plizzari (Livorno);

Defenders: Claud Adjapong (Hellas Verona), Nicolò Casale (Venezia), Davide Bettella (Pescara), Enrico Delprato (Livorno), Matteo Gabbia (Milan), Luca Pellegrini (Cagliari), Luca Ranieri (Fiorentina), Marco Sala (Virtus Entella);

Midfielders: Marco Carraro (Perugia), Davide Frattesi (Empoli), Manuel Locatelli (Sassuolo), Giulio Maggiore (Spezia), Fabio Maistro (Salernitana), *Salvatore Esposito (Chievo Verona), Niccolò Zanellato (Crotone);

Forwards: Patrick Cutrone (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Moise Bioty Kean (Everton), Andrea Pinamonti (Genoa), Gianluca Scamacca (Ascoli), Riccardo Sottil (Fiorentina).

Staff – Delegation head: Massimo Paganin; Coach: Paolo Nicolato; Accompanying director: Vincenzo Marinelli; Secretary Manfredi Martino; Assistant Coach: Mirco Gasparetto; Fitness Coach: Vincenzo Pincolini; Goalkeeping Coach: Gian Matteo Mareggini; Match analyst: Francesco Bordin; Doctors: Angelo De Carli and Vincenzo Santoriello; Physiotherapists: Emiliano Bozzetti and Nicola Sanna; Hosteopath: Cristiano Pompili; Physician: Cristian Osgnach.

*replaces Sandro Tonali (Brescia)

Schedule

Tuesday 12th November

10:00 - Training at the Stadio Comunale in Abano Terme (first 15 minutes open to the media)

13:15 - Press meeting with one player at La Residence & Hidrokinesis

16:30 - Training at the Stadio Comunale in Abano Terme (closed)

Wednesday 13th November

10:00 - Training at the Stadio Comunale in Abano Terme (first 15 minutes open to the media)

13:15 - Press meeting with one player at La Residence & Hidrokinesis

16:30 - Training at the Stadio Comunale in Abano Terme (closed)

Thursday 14th November

10:00 - Training at the Stadio Comunale in Abano Terme (first 15 minutes open to the media)

13:15 - Press meeting with one player at La Residence & Hidrokinesis

17:00 - Travel from Ferrara c/o Unaway Hotel Occhiobello (Via Eridania 36 – 45030 Santa Maria Maddalena (Ro)

Friday 15th November

15:30      (tbc) - Paolo Nicolato’s press conference at the stadium in Ferrara

16:30 - Training at the stadium in Ferrara (first 15 minutes open to the media)

 Saturday 16th November

10:00 - Training (closed)

11:00 - Exclusive RAI TV interview with Paolo Nicolato

18:30 ITALY vs. Iceland followed by the post-match press conference and dinner at the hotel.

 Sunday 17th November

10:00 - Training (closed)

16:00 - V7 1264 flight Venice-Catania

17.55 - Arrival in Catania and transfer to the Una Hotel Palace di Catania (Via Etnea 218 - 95131 Catania)

Monday 18th November

15:30 (tbc) - Paolo Nicolato’s press conference at the Stadio Angelo Massimino

16:30 (tbc) - Official training at the Stadio Angelo Massimino (First 15 minutes open to the media)

Tuesday 19th November

10:00 - Training (closed)

11:00 - Exclusive RAI TV with Paolo Nicolato

18:30 –ITALY vs. Armenia,  followed by the post-match press conference and dinner at the hotel.

 Wednesday 20th November

Return to club sides.