Paolo Nicolato’s adventure in charge of the Under-21 National Team has already begun. The Coach who was appointed by the FIGC to replace Luigi Di Biagio after his excellent results with the Under-19 and Under-20 sides has taken charge of his first training session in Catania. The Azzurrini will play Moldova there in a friendly at 18:30 CEST on Friday 6th September at the Stadio Angelo Massimino in Catania.

The friendly against Moldova will help the team to prepare for the start of European qualifiers against Luxembourg on 10 September in Castel di Sangro ahead of EURO 2021. “The match on Friday will help us to get to know one another better,” Nicolato explained. “This group has a good capacity to learn, it’s made me very happy and I hope it will continue to do so. I’m confident, we need to start well on a new journey, especially in terms of our attitude.”

The squad features 12 players who have been called up for the first time while Kean and Zaniolo are also back having played for the senior side and at the Under-21 European Championship. “They’re guys who’ve developed through our national youth teams,” added the Coach. “They spent three years with me and I’m happy to have them because they’re clearly good players. It’s right that they follow the correct path, reflect on their decisions and we’re here for them with this.”

Patrick Cutrone who was a key player at the last Under-21 European Championship asked not to be called up after moving from AC Milan to Wolverhampton Wanderers. “The lad made this request because he wants to settle in at his new club better, we’ve taken account of this and are thinking about it. He’s certainly an important player for us, we’ll make more evaluations in October.”

Finally, Nicolato on Catania and Sicily which will host the Men’s and Women’s National Teams in coming months. “It’s wonderful when you come to these places, the hospitality is always excellent. We’re happy to be here, the training facilities are top class and meet all our needs.”

 

Squad List

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

Defenders: Claud Adjapong (Verona), Alessandro Bastoni (Inter), Raoul Bellanova (Bordeaux), Davide Bettella (Pescara), Enrico Del Prato (Livorno), Matteo Gabbia (Milan), Riccardo Marchizza (Spezia), Luca Ranieri (Fiorentina), Marco Sala (Virtus Entella), Alessandro Tripaldelli (Sassuolo);

Midfielders: Marco Carraro (Perugia), Davide Frattesi (Empoli), Manuel Locatelli (Sassuolo), Giulio Maggiore (Spezia), Niccolò Zanellato (Crotone), Nicolò Zaniolo (Roma);

Forwards: Moise Kean (Everton), Andrea Pinamonti (Genoa), Gianluca Scamacca (Ascoli), Riccardo Sottil (Fiorentina), Marco Tumminello (Pescara).

Staff – Coach: Paolo Nicolato; Delegation Head: Massimo Paganin; Accompanying Director: Vincenzo Marinelli; National Youth Team Director: Maurizio Viscidi; Assistant Coach: Mirco Gasparetto; Secretary: Manfredi Martino; Fitness Coach: Vincenzo Pincolini; Goalkeeping Coach: Gianmatteo Mareggini; Match analyst: Francesco Bordin, Doctors: Angelo De Carli abnbd Vincenzo Santoriello; Physiologist: Cristian Osgnach; Physiotherapists: Emiliano Bozzetti and Nicola Sanna.

Under-21 National Team Schedule (All times CEST) 

 

Tuesday 3 September

10:00 - Training at C.S. Torre del Grifo (closed)

13:15 - Press event (one player) at the C.S. Torre del Grifo

17:00 - Training at the  C.S. Torre del Grifo (first 15 minutes open to the press)

Wednesday 4 September

10:00 - Training at the C.S. Torre del Grifo (closed)

13:15 - Press event (one player) at the C.S. Torre del Grifo

17:00 - Training at the C.S. Torre del Grifo (First 15 minutes open to the press)

Thursday 5 September

10:00 - Training at the C.S. Torre del Grifo (first 15 minutes open to the press)

13:30 - Press conference (Coach) at the C.S. Torre del Grifo

Friday 6 September

10:30 - Training (closed)

18:30 - ITALY vs. MOLDAVA at the Stadio “Angelo Massimino” in Catania. Press conference to follow.

Saturday 7 September

9:00 - Flight from Catania to Rome Fiumicino and transfer to the Sport Village Hotel & Spa -Castel di Sangro AQ

13:15 - Press event (one player) at the Sport Village Hotel & Spa

17:00 - Training at the “Teofilo Patini” (open to the press)

Sunday 8 September

10:00 - Training at the “Teofilo Patini” (closed)

17:00 - Training at the “Teofilo Patini” (First 15 minutes open to the press)

Monday 9 September

16:45 - Press conference (Coach) at the “Teofilo Patini” in Castel di Sangro

17:30 - Training at the stadium (First 15 minutes open the press)

Tuesday 10 September

18:30 - ITALY vs. LUXEMBOURG at  Stadio“Teofilo Patini” in Castel di Sangro. Post-match press conference to follow and delegation to disperse.

 

N.b. Training and press conference times are subject to change.