“For me, the Under-21 National Team is a new beginning and a point of departure.” It’s been three years since he earned his first call-up to Italy’s U21s (he was named in Di Biagio’s squad for two friendlies against Slovakia and Albania but then had to withdraw through injury), and now Sandro Tonali is once again with the team – a very young one with many new faces at that.

The AC Milan midfielder, who was born in 2000, has worn the Italy shirt on various occasions, but, for him, it always feels like the first time when he does so: “It’s always emotional, it’s something you should be proud of. With fans at the stadium, everything is even better. Starting a new cycle isn’t easy, but we’re all ready to get to know each other as quickly as possible. Given we’ve only got two days to work together before taking to the pitch, this is the most important thing.”

For the Under-21s, two Euro 2023 qualifying matches are coming up: the team will face Luxembourg on 3 September at the Stadio Carlo Castellani in Empoli, while a showdown against Montenegro at the Stadio Romeo Menti in Vicenza will follow four days later. Tonali, who made his debut for the senior side at the age of 19 on 15 October 2019, is preparing to take on a leadership role. Jorginho even described him as his possible heir during his press conference at Coverciano today: “A leadership role? Yes, but this is a very compact group. Even those who aren’t playing for their clubs are trying to give their all. Everyone needs to prove they have the ability to be here.”

On Sunday, he scored his first AC Milan goal with a fantastic free kick against Cagliari, and Tonali is trying to carve out an important role with his club too: “The objectives are clear: we always aim for the maximum and try to arrive as high as possible.”

The 21-year-old then had the following to say about Head Coach Nicolato: “He’s always readily available, makes jokes and is easy-going. He’s particularly important for those involved in their first experience here.”  As regards youngsters, Tonali highlighted that “playing on a consistent basis is the difficult thing. For a younger player, this is of vital importance. It’s something that is missing in Italy at the moment, but this is normal. You need to prove that you can bring more than the experience of your teammates.” He finished by commenting on the aim of making the step up to the senior team: “It’s an objective that everyone has, but being here with the Under-21 side is vital. We’ll see what contribution I can make in the coming months.”

Meanwhile, preparations in Tirrenia continue. After undergoing tests, Bologna attacker Emanuel Vignato has left the training camp due to a muscle problem that he picked up with his club.

Squad list

Goalkeepers: Marco Carnesecchi (Cremonese), Alessandro Plizzari (Milan), Alessandro Russo (Alessandria);

Defenders: Raoul Bellanova (Girondins de Bordeaux), Riccardo Calafiori (Roma), Andrea Cambiaso (Genoa), Andrea Carboni (Cagliari), Gabriele Ferrarini (Perugia), Antonino Gallo (Lecce), Matteo Lovato (Atalanta), Andrea Papetti (Brescia), Lorenzo Pirola (Monza), Iyenoma Destiny Udogie (Udinese);

Midfielders: Marco Brescianini (Monza), Jacopo Da Riva (Spal), Nicolò Fagioli (Juventus), Filippo Ranocchia (Juventus), Samuele Ricci (Empoli), Nicolò Rovella (Genoa), Sandro Tonali (Milan);

Forwards: Matteo Cancellieri (Hellas Verona), Lorenzo Colombo (Spal), Roberto Piccoli (Atalanta), Eddie Salcedo (Inter), Kelvin Yeboah (Sportklub Sturm Graz).

Schedule (all times CEST)

Tuesday 31 August

10.30 - Training (open only for RAI TV operators)

13.30 - Player press conference (RAI in attendance, followed by a Zoom for the press)

17.30 - Training (closed)

Wednesday 1 September

10.30 - Training (open only for RAI TV operators)

13.30 - Player press conference (RAI in attendance, followed by a Zoom for the press)

17.30 - Training (closed)

Thursday 2 September

10.30 - Training (closed)

13.45 - Coach Nicolato press conference (Rai in attendance, followed by a Zoom for the press)

19.00 – Visit to Stadio Carlo Castellani in Empoli

Friday 3 September

10.00 - Coach Nicolato interview exclusive to RAI TV

10.30 - Training (closed)

17.30 – ITALY vs. LUXEMBOURG - Stadio Carlo Castellani, Empoli. Press conference post-game and return to Tirrenia

Saturday 4 September

10.30 - Training (closed)

17.00 – Transfer to Vicenza Tiepolo Hotel

Sunday 5 September

15.30 - Coach Nicolato interview with RAI TV

17.30 - Training (closed)

Monday 6 September

10.30 - Training (closed)

13.45 - Coach Nicolato press conference (RAI in attendance, followed by a Zoom for the press)

19.00 - Visit to Stadio Romeo Menti in Monza

Tuesday 7 September

10.00 - Coach Nicolato interview exclusive to RAI TV

17.30 ITALY vs. MONTENEGRO - Stadio Romeo Menti, Vicenza. Press conference post-game and return of players to their respective clubs