With Thursday’s convincing win over Czechia in Znojmo behind them, the U20 National Team are ready for their first Elite League home game on the road to the 2025 World Cup in Chile. Bernardo Corradi’s side will host Germany on Tuesday at 16:00 CEST in Rieti (live on Vivo Azzurro TV, the OTT platform from the FIGC available on the App Store, Google Play at www.vivoazzurrotv.it). As with the clash against San Marino U21s last Thursday, the game is part of the agreement between the Federation and Lazio Region. Entry to the Stadio Centro d'Italia-Manlio Scopigno (Tribuna Terminillo) will be free.

The Azzurrini had a final training session this morning with the press conference in the afternoon in the Reiti Council Hall in the presence of Mayor Daniele Sinibaldi, Vice Mayor Chiara Mestichelli, Coach Bernardo Corradi and Aaron Ciammaglichella (Torino) who scored in the 2-1 win last Thursday against Czechia.

Mayor Sinibaldi spoke: “With Italy vs. Germany U20, the city of Rieti closes out a wonderful summer of football. Italy vs. Germany is an excellent clash at every level. I want to thank the Lazio Region and its representatives because this game comes from a deep collaboration with the FIGC to bring National Team games to Lazio stadiums, this is very prestigious for us. The ground in Rieti is one of the most important and we are happy to be able to host another Italy game, the National Team is one of the most important sides that could grace a ground. We are proud to welcome the U20s and we hope that all the kids from the area and local football schools will flood to the stadium”.

Back in Italy on Friday, the Italy U20s spent a few hours in the city on Sunday afternoon to get to know Rieti and its historic centre, accompanied by Vice Mayor Chiara Mestichelli: “I had the pleasure of spending time with the squad and staff, I’m very pleased about this. We have resolved a situation regarding the Stadio Scopigno and hosting a game like this one is a great source of pride. I hope the lads and the staff have been positively struck by our city: we are small but investing greatly in the potential of our city. I would also like to thank the Region who have assisted with the event, the FIGC and obviously the side who we wish good luck for the game”.

Bernardo Corradi commented: “We would like to thank Rieti and FC Rieti and President Leoncini for the warm welcome. The Federation’s mission is to bring the Azzurri all over Italy. The National Team wish to cover as much ground as possible. The city gave us a brilliant welcome, they have a great sporting tradition with athletics, basketball and football which is starting again after a difficult time. Our desire is to get people to the stadium: the lads play well, and the Italian youth get results. We will face an opponent with different aims to us, like with Czechia: Germany are looking to the U21s, we will be heading to the U20 World Cup so will field younger players who will be moulded by gaining experience”.

Ciammaglichella added: “We have felt the love from Rieti, this was a pleasure and we are sure that it will help us in the game. Over these ten days, we have prepared for two matches, but we have done well to move on to Germany after beating Czechia. They are a strong opponent but we have trained well and will go out on the pitch convinced of showing our quality”.

Forward Francesco Presta (Fiorentina) will not take part in the game and has returned to his club following an injury.

Squad list

Goalkeepers: Federico Magro (Hellas Verona), Lorenzo Torriani (Milan);
Defenders: Davide Bartesaghi (Milan), Fabio Cristian Chiarodia (Borussia Monchengladbach), Aaron Ciammaglichella (Torino), Pietro Comuzzo (Fiorentina), Christian Corradi (Verona), Riyad Idrissi (Modena), Filippo Calixte Mane (Borussia Dortmund), Marco Palestra (Atalanta);
Midfielders: Pietro Candelari (Spezia), Matteo Cichella (Frosinone), Luca Di Maggio (Perugia), Jonas Harder (Fiorentina), Luca Lipani (Sassuolo), Jacopo Sardo (Saarbrucken);
Forwards: Lorenzo Anghelè (Juventus), Giacomo De Pieri (Inter), Giulio Misitano (Roma), Dominic Vavassori (Atalanta), Kevin Zeroli (Milan)

Staff - Head Coach: Bernardo Corradi; Delegation Head: Gianfranco Serioli; Assistant Coach: Mirco Gasparetto; Goalkeeping Area Coordinator: Gaetano Petrelli; Fitness Coach: Marco Montini; Goalkeeping Coach: Graziano Vinti; Match Analyst: Francesco Donzella; Doctors: Andrea Redler, Paolo Manetti; Physiotherapists: Giuliano Gepponi, Angelo Cartocci; Nutritionist: Micol Purrotti; Secretary: Luca Gatto

ELITE LEAGUE 2024-25
Romania 2-3 Germany
Czechia 1-2 ITALY
Türkiye 1-1 England
Table: ITALY and Germany 3, Türkiye, England 1, Portugal*, Poland*, Czechia and Romania 0.
*a game in hand

Monday 9 September
Portugal vs. Poland

Tuesday 10 September
ITALY vs. Germany
England vs. Romania
Czechia vs. Türkiye

UPCOMING GAMES
Thursday 10 October
Czechia vs. Romania
ITALY vs. England
Türkiye vs. Portugal

Friday 11 October
Germany vs. Poland

Monday 14 October
England vs. Czechia
Portugal vs. ITALY

Tuesday 15 October
Poland vs. Türkiye

Thursday 14 November
Romania vs. Portugal

Friday 15 November
Poland vs. ITALY
England vs. Germany

Monday 18 November
Portugal vs. Czechia

Tuesday 19 November
ITALY vs. Romania
Poland vs. England
Türkiye vs. Germany

Thursday 20 March
Türkiye vs. ITALY

Friday 21 March
Poland vs. Romania
Czechia vs. Germany
Portugal vs. England

Tuesday 25 March
Romania vs. Türkiye
Germany vs. Portugal
Poland vs. Czechia