“The first game will be a very difficult one. We play in Bosnia, against a very well-shaped and difficult team who drew with Sweden and lost against Ireland. The match will be very complicated, mainly because it’s the first of the two, against a very well organised and physical team, in a distinctive atmosphere” said the Under 21 coach Paolo Nicolato in his press conference that kicked off the Azzurrini’s training camp at the Tirrenia Olympic Training Centre.

A month on from the two wins against Luxembourg and Montenegro, the Azzurrini are ready to resume their European journey with two more qualifying matches for Euro 2023, first next Friday in Zenica, the home of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and then on the 12th against Sweden in Monza.

“We will see how it goes against Sweden who, on paper, are one of our major competitors for the first two places in the group” continued the coach. “In the meantime, we’ve got our minds on Bosnia, there is no time to relax”.

Preparations for this double commitment began today with a double training session: the only absentee was AC Milan midfielder Sandro Tonali, who will join his teammates in the afternoon. “I have no doubts about this guy - said Nicolato, answering a direct question - the first time he wore the blue jersey, he did it with me for the Under 18s, so I have known him and his qualities for a long time. I have to pay him a special compliment because Sandro, who has already had playing experience with the senior side, had the not indifferent ability to then return to the Under 21s. It’s not an easy thing from an emotional point of view, and it is not given enough credit. I have no doubts about him, he's good, he has a great personality and he's also a guy with whom I have a special admiration for”.

Squad list

Goalkeepers: Semuel Pizzignacco (Vicenza), Alessandro Russo (Alessandria), Stefano Turati (Reggina);

Defenders: Raoul Bellanova (Cagliari), Riccardo Calafiori (Roma), Andrea Cambiaso (Genoa), Simone Canestrelli (Crotone), Andrea Carboni (Cagliari), Gabriele Ferrarini (Perugia), Matteo Lovato (Atalanta), Kaleb Okoli (Cremonese), Lorenzo Pirola (Monza), Iyenoma Destiny Udogie (Udinese);

Midfielders: Marco Brescianini (Monza), Salvatore Esposito (Spal), Nicolò Fagioli (Cremonese), Filippo Ranocchia (Vicenza), Samuele Ricci (Empoli), Nicolò Rovella (Genoa), Sandro Tonali (Milan);

Forwards: Matteo Cancellieri (Hellas Verona), Lorenzo Colombo (Spal), Sebastiano Esposito (FC Basel), Lorenzo Lucca (Pisa), Samuele Mulattieri (Crotone), Roberto Piccoli (Atalanta), Emanuel Vignato (Bologna),  Kelvin Yeboah (Sportklub Sturm Graz).

 

Schedule (all times CEST)

Monday 4 October 2021

10:30 Training (footage to be filmed by RAI)

14:00 Press conference – Head Coach Nicolato (RAI in attendance, otherwise broadcast via zoom)

17:30 Training (behind closed doors)

 

Tuesday 5 October 2021

10:30 Training (footage to be filmed by RAI)

13:30 Press conference – player (RAI in attendance, otherwise broadcast via zoom)

17:30 Training (behind closed doors)

 

Wednesday 6 October 2021

10:30 Training (behind closed doors)

17:00 Charter flight Pisa – Sarajevo and subsequent transfer to Zenica Hotel (approx. 1 h.)

 

Thursday 7 October 2021

10:30 Training (behind closed doors)

14:00 Press conference – Head Coach Nicolato (RAI in attendance, otherwise broadcast via zoom)

17:30 Technical meeting

19:00 Visit to the FF BH Football Training Centre

     

Friday 8 October 2021

09:00 Exclusive RAI interview – Nicolato

10:30 Training (behind closed doors)

12:55 Technical meeting

17:30 FF BH Football Training Centre

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA VS. ITALIA 

Post-match press conference to follow (RAI in attendance, otherwise broadcast via zoom)                               

Saturday 9 October 2021

11:00 Charter flight Sarajevo – Milan Malpensa and subsequent transfer to Novarello Villaggio Azzurro via Dante Graziosi,1 Granozzo con Monticello

17:30 Training (behind closed doors)

 

Sunday 10 October 2021

10:30 Training (behind closed doors)

14:00 RAI interview with Nicolato for La Domenica Sportiva

17:30 Training (behind closed doors)

20:10 Technical meeting

 

Monday 11 October 2021

10:30 Training (behind closed doors)

14:00 Press conference – Head Coach Nicolato (RAI in attendance, otherwise broadcast via zoom)

16:00 Departer for hotel in Monza area

19:00 Visit to Stadio Brianteo in Monza

 

Tuesday 12 October 2021

09:30 Exclusive RAI interview – Nicolato

10:30 Muscle workout

12:40 Technical meeting

17:30 Stadio Brianteo

ITALY VS. SWEDEN

Post-match press conference to follow (RAI in attendance, otherwise broadcast via zoom) and subsequent return to respective clubs