Italy vs. Poland will be the Under-20's home opener in the Elite League, but above all it will be a festival. Thousands of fans are expected at the stadio Nicola Ceravolo in Catanzaro to cheer on the Azzurrini, with local junior football clubs and students prepared to make it an unforgettable afternoon for those present (kick-off is at 18:00 CEST, live also on figc.it). Following a draw with Germany and a win over Czech Republic, Alberto Bollini's squad are preparing for the fixture in Lamezia Terme, where this afternoon they will have a civic reception with city mayor Paolo Mascaro, while the pre-match press conference was held at Calabria's regional HQ.

"I support this as a councillor, but above all as a fan," explained Catanzaro's vice-mayor Giuseppina Iemma, who passed on messages on behalf of mayor Nicola Fiorita. "Having the National team return to the stadio Ceravolo is a great experience for everyone: we are ready to welcome these types of international events. We've done an excellent job in upgarding the stadium in order to be able to host this game, in which the Polish community will also be watching. Catanzaro will show to be welcoming and inclusive once again: it is a city that lives and breathes enthusiasm and loves to celebrate festivals." 

It is a big moment for the city and the Giallorossi club, who this year returned to play Serie B football after 17 years. "We are happy to host this big match," said Club president, Floriano Noto. "Catanzaro will gran the attention of all Italian football fans thanks to its teamwork with the Federation, the Regional Committee, the local administration and the club. When everyone works together as one, then the results are there for all to see. Tomorrow, there will be a lot of people at the ground to support Italy and 'our' Luca D'Andrea". In fact, the 2004-born players wears the Giallorossi shirt.

Italy vs. Poland is part of an Azzurri week in Calabria, that also sees the Women's Under-17 side in European qualifying action. "The Italian FA are putting a lot of attention into Calabria and the south of Italy, in general," said CR Calabria President and LND Vice-President, Saverio Mirarchi. In March, we had the Under-21s in Reggio Calabria, and before that the Under-19s in Crotone. This shows, thanks to the work by clubs, that our movement is alos worthwhile." 

The Nationall team, therefore, will receive a warm welcome from Catanzaro, a city in which the Under-20's Head of Delegation, Evaristo Beccalossi, knows all too well. "My journey started here, with my first game in Serie B. I'm really happy, as is the groups of players, to be here; the enthusiasm around can be felt and we want to give the Ceravolo crowd real excitement.". It's a National team composed of, for the most part, the group that won the Under-19 European Championships in Malta just a few months ago under Alberto Bollini, the current Under-20 Head Caoch. "I must thank Catanzaro, as well as Lamezia Terme who are hosting us, and I also want to take advantage of this moment to congratulate the work of the club and also Cosenza, managed by Fabio Caserta, who I had as a player at Igea Virtus," underlined Bollini. "To be able to have five days here has been great for the lads' work and development: Poland are a very physical side and we know them well (two previous games at Under-19 level - one Azzurrini win and one draw). We need to use this time as best we can, with the pleasure and honour to play in front of a great crowd." Luis Hasa was awarded the best player at the Euros in the summer and was one of the main architects of the triumph in July: "We are ready to play this game; we've been training really well: we're coming up against a physical side, an awkward one to face, but with the qualities we have I am confident we'll give a great performance and come out on top." 

TICKET INFO. Entry to the stadium on Friday for the game with Poland is free, but a ticket is needed to enter the ground, which can be downloaded from the Vivaticket site. 

Squad List

Goalkeepers: Davide Mastrantonio (Monterosi Tuscia), Lorenzo Palmisani (Olbia);
Defenders: Tommaso Barbieri (Pisa), Tommaso Corazza (Bologna), Alessandro Dellavalle (Torino), Alessandro Fontanarosa (Cosenza), Filippo Missori (Sassuolo), Iacopo Regonesi (Atalanta), Alessandro Pio Riccio (Modena), Filippo Terracciano (Verona);
Midfielders: Lorenzo Amatucci (Fiorentina), Giacomo Faticanti (Lecce), Samuel Giovane (Ascoli), Luis Hasa (Juventus), Lorenzo Ignacchiti (Pontedera), Riccardo Pagano (Roma), Niccolò Pisilli (Roma)
Forwards: Federico Accornero (Pescara), Luca D'Andrea (Catanzaro), Daniele Montevago (Gubbio), Antonio Raimondo (Ternana), Nicolò Turco (Liefering)

Staff - Head Coach: Alberto Bollini; Head of Delegation: Evaristo Beccalossi; Assistant Coach: Marco Scarpa: Fitness Coach: Nicolò Varesco; Goalkeeping Coach: Francesco Antonioli; Match Analyst: Luca Dalmasso; Doctors: Carmelo Papotto, Benedetto Carta; Physiotherapists: Angelo Cartocci, Giuseppe Galli; Nutritionist: Alessio Colli; Secretary: Luca Gatto

ELITE LEAGUE 2023-24
Thursday 12 October
18:00 CEST: Romania vs. England
18:00 CEST: Norway vs. Czech Republic
Friday 13 October
16:00 CEST: Portugal vs. Germany
18:00 CEST: Italy vs. Poland (stadio Nicola Ceravolo, Catanzaro, live on figc.it)

Monday 16 October
18:00 CEST: Norway vs. Romania

Tuesday 17 October
18:00 CEST: Germany vs. Czech Republic
19:00 CEST: England vs. Portugal 

Tables (games played in brackets): Poland (2) and Italy (2) 4, Portugal (2) and Romania (2) 3, Germany (2) 2, England (0), Norway (0), Czech Republic (2) 0

ITALY'S FIXTURE SCHEDULE
Friday 13 October: Italy vs. Poland
Thursday 16 November: England vs. Italy
Tuesday 21 November: Italy vs. Portugal 
Thursday 21 March 2024: Romania vs. Italy
Monday 25 March 2024: Italy vs. Norway 

Games already played
Thursday 7 September
Germany 1-1 Italy 
Romania 2-0 Czech Republic 
Venerdì 8 settembre
Poland 4-0 Portugal 

Monday 11 September
Polond 1-1 Germany
Czech Republic 0-1 Italy
Tuesday 12 September
Portugal 2-1 Romania