One month on, Italy Under-21 return to Reykjavik, where, in October, they were constrained to remain in the hotel and airport, never setting foot on a football pitch. UEFA postponed the game against Iceland after local authorities requested that the Italy delegation remain in quarantine due to positive COVID-19 cases for two players and one member of the Azzurrini’s coaching staff. This time, the game must be played. The Under-21s take on their Icelandic counterparts at the Víkingsvöllur at 14:15 CET.

It’s an all-important clash with qualification implications against a side that have won all four of their home matches in the group. Italy, meanwhile, are still top of Group 1 on 16 points, level with the Republic of Ireland - though the Azzurrini have a game in hand over the Boys in Green. Sweden and Iceland are just one point behind after eight and seven matches played respectively. A win would mean Nicolato’s men are all but guaranteed a place at the tournament in March 2021, which is to be hosted by Hungary and Slovenia. The top five second-placed teams in qualifying will also join the group winners and the two host nations.

In an interview with Rai Sport, Nicolato said, “in these times, we need to give all that we’ve got. We need to get used to facing these problems, which are faced not only by us. We’re conscious of the fact that the situation in the group is complicated because it’s the tightest one of them all. Four teams can still finish top; just one point separates these sides so it’s all to play for. I expect a tough game against a team that have won all of their home games. They aren’t the ideal opposition to face in these circumstances. They never stopped and, like Sweden, kept playing without any interruption - like we had. We’ll need to play with humility, try to play good football and get a result.”

In October, after the postponement of the game against Iceland and the emergence various positive cases of COVID-19 in Nicolato’s squad, the FIGC was forced to send Bollini’s Under-20 side in action against Ireland in their place. This decision ultimately paid off as the younger Azzurrini won 2-0 (with goals from Sottil and Cutrone - two of the four Under-21 players allowed to play). As such, for the final three group stage games against Iceland, Luxembourg (Sunday 15 November in Differdange) and Sweden (Wednesday 18 November in Pisa), the Federation has decided to call up an Under-21 ‘B’ team, coached by Bollini with the supervision of Maurizio Viscidi, coordinator of the National Youth Teams of Club Italia. Under-21 ‘B’ are training at Tirrenia at present, so that they are ready to respond in good time in case they are required.

Nicolato confirmed that there will be changes to the team. “There will likely be some debutants. What interests me is that the lads behave in the right, competitive way, with a hunger to do, to get the most out of themselves in a tough situation. We have players, who didn’t arrive, some, who are in the First Team and others, who are still injured. What’s certain is that we’ll play with the most competitive side possible.”

Nicolato's squad for the game against Iceland:

Goalkeepers: Marco Carnesecchi (Atalanta), Michele Cerofolini (Reggiana), Alessandro Russo (Virtus Entella);
Defenders: Raoul Bellanova (Pescara), Alessandro Buongiorno (Torino), Giuseppe Cuomo (Crotone), Enrico Delprato (Reggina), Gianluca Frabotta (Juventus), Matteo Gabbia (AC Milan), Matteo Lovato (Hellas Verona), Marco Sala (SPAL), Marco Varnier (Pisa), Alessandro Vogliacco (Pordenone);
Midfielders: Marco Carraro (Frosinone), Davide Frattesi (Monza), Youssef Maleh (Venezia), Filippo Melegoni (Genoa), Tommaso Pobega (Spezia), Samuele Ricci (Empoli), Nicolò Rovella (Genoa), Niccolò Zanellato (Crotone);
Forwards: Sebastiano Esposito (Spal), Andrea Pinamonti (Inter), Gianluca Scamacca (Genoa), Riccardo Sottil (Cagliari).