With qualification to the Elite Round guaranteed, Alberto Bollini’s Under-19 National Team are preparing to face Slovakia tomorrow (kick-off at 15:00 CET, free admission) at the Stadio Giorgio Calbi in Cattolica where they will battle for top spot in the group.

The pressure is on the Azzurrini to emerge victorious once again in order to top the group ahead of the Slovaks who have the same goal difference as Italy after two matches played but have scored one more goal than Esposito and his teammates. A win will be crucial in securing a favourable draw for the next round of matches.

Coach Bollini spoke about the upcoming game: “Tomorrow’s match will be difficult and demanding, but we’re preparing as best as we can. There’s only one outcome from this game that lets us top the group so we have an even greater incentive to play very well.”

CHANGE OF VENUE. In view of the torrential rain that has fallen over Romagna in the past few days, the Italy vs. Slovakia fixture will be played on the artificial pitch at the Stadio Giorgio Calbi in Cattolica.

THE FORMAT OF THE COMPETITION. Italy are currently taking part in the Qualifying Round for the Under-19 European Championship. In 13 days time the top two teams from each group plus the best third-place team will progress to the Elite Round, which will take place next March. The teams will be put into seven groups and the winners of each group will take part in the final round in Northern Ireland, where they will be joined by the hosts. The final eight-team phase will also act as UEFA’s qualification for the next Under-20 World Cup, which will be held in Indonesia in 2021.

 

Squad list:

Goalkeepers: Federico Brancolini (Fiorentina), Alessandro Russo (Sassuolo);

Defenders: Nicolò Armini (Lazio), Lorenzo Colombini (Inter), Paolo Gozzi Iweru (Juventus), Michael Ntube (Inter), Memeh Caleb Okoli (Atalanta), Edoardo Pierozzi (Fiorentina), Fabio Ponsi (Fiorentina);

Midfielders: Nicolò Fagioli (Juventus), Jean Freddi Greco (Torino), Manu Emmanuel Gyabuaa (Atalanta), Federico Marigosu (Cagliari), Alessio Riccardi (Roma), Samuele Ricci (Empoli), Nicolò Rovella (Genoa);

Forwards: Sebastiano Esposito (Inter), Elia Petrelli (Juventus), Roberto Piccoli (Atalanta), Eddie Anthony Salcedo Mora (Hellas Verona).

Staff – Head of delegation: Evaristo Beccalossi; Coordinator: Maurizio Viscidi; Coach: Alberto Bollini; Secretary: Aldo Blessich; Assistant coach: Giovanni Valenti; Athletic coach: Vito Azzone; Goalkeeping coach: Graziano Vinti; Match analyst: Mirko Magistro; Doctors: Luca Labianca and Emanuele Fabrizi; Physiotherapists: Giuseppe Galli and Roberto Cardarelli; Tutors: Giorgio Orlando and Marco Lista.

*Group 6 schedule  and results (all times CET)

Matchday one (13 November)

Cyprus 1-2 Slovakia 

ITALY 2-0 Malta 

Matchday two (16 November)

Slovakia 3-0 Malta 

ITALY 2-0 Cyprus

Matchday three (19 November)

ITALY vs. Slovakia (15:00 - Cattolica)

Malta vs. Cyprus (15:00 - Santarcangelo di Romagna)

*The top two of each group along with the best third-placed side out of all the groups will progress to the Elite Round.