This morning was dedicated to the official European Championships photoshoot for the Under-21 side, that starts in a week's time, as they wore Emporio Armani suits first before changing into the new adidas kit. In the afternoon, the Azzurrini were back out for training ahead of their opening game with France next Thursday. On paper, it is the team's most difficult group game against one of the favourites to win the tournament.

Meanwhile, Mauro Balata, Head of Delegation for the Under-21s and Lega B president, has arrived at Italy's CPO in Tirrenia. From today, he will be with the squad and will fly with the staff and players to Cluj, Romania, on Monday where they will play their three group games against France, Switzerland and Norway. The top two teams will automatically go through to the quarter-finals, which is also necessary to be in with a chance to obtain one of three spots for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

“We've been on an outstanding journey," underlined Balata, "with this group demonstrating lots of character, quality and moral values. We realise we've got tough challenges ahead, but we are used to those and are ready to overcome them.” The primary objective is to obviously reach the quarters: “We're in a difficult group, as France are one of the favourites to lift the trophy, and Switzerland and Norway deserve the maximum respect. Our lads, though, are inferior to no-one. They are preparing well and and I'm convinced they will represent and honour the Italy shirt in Romania like they have always done. We'll play with great convinction and determination, and look to try and reach another big achievement in qualifying for the next Olympic Games.”

NOTE FOR MEDIA - To download official photos, click here. Please insert the following Credits in the photos: Getty for Figc

Azzurrini numbers for the Under-21 European Championships

Goalkeepers: 19 Elia Caprile (Bari), 1 Marco Carnesecchi (Cremonese), 22 Stefano Turati (Frosinone)
Defenders: 12 Raoul Bellanova (Inter), 20 Andrea Cambiaso (Bologna), 14 Giorgio Cittadini (Modena), 6 Matteo Lovato (Salernitana), 15 Caleb Okoli (Atalanta), 3 Fabiano Parisi (Empoli), 5 Lorenzo Pirola (Salernitana), 2 Giorgio Scalvini (Atalanta), 13 Destiny Iyenoma Udogie (Udinese);
Midfielders: 16 Edoardo Bove (Roma), 7 Salvatore Esposito (Spezia), 21 Fabio Miretti (Juventus), 4 Samuele Ricci (Torino), 10 Nicolò Rovella (Monza), 8 Sandro Tonali (Milan);
Forwards: 23 Nicolò Cambiaghi (Empoli), 18 Matteo Cancellieri (Lazio), 9 Lorenzo Colombo (Lecce), 17 Wilfried Gnonto (Leeds), 11 Pietro Pellegri (Torino).