For than two years have passed since that afternoon when Marco Carnesecchi made his Italy Under-21 debut in a 4-0 victory over Moldova in Catania. It was 6 September 2019. Since then, he’s played for Trapani and Cremonese on loan and in the European Under-21 Championship for Italy, who were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Portugal. In January, he was called up to the senior side for a training camp.

Currently a starter for Cremonese in Serie B and the Azzurrini captain, Carnesecchi continues to dream: “For me, my call-up to the senior team was an indescribable feeling that will remain with me forever. I had the opportunity to work with players of a standard I never thought I’d see. I learnt so much just by watching them; it really was an important experience. Unfortunately, Donnarumma wasn’t there, but Sirigu and Meret – two great goalkeepers – were. From them, I learnt in just a few days what I might in a whole year from other people. On Thursday, we’ll see if we can organise a get-together to support the National Team. We hope that the lads will do what they’ve always done. We’re talking about a really strong team.”

He's not hiding from the fact that Serie A is on his mind, but, for now, he’s enjoying his time with Cremonese: “We’re doing really well and the season is starting to come to an end. A sort of mini tournament is beginning. We need to continue to work well, remain focused and pull out all the stops to achieve our objective. It’d represent a turning point for the careers of us youngsters and an opportunity to get back in the big time for the more experienced players, the club and our president. It’s a wonderful dream that could come true if we carry on working the way we have been doing.”

Right now, however, Carnesecchi is focusing on Italy Under-21s’ upcoming European qualifying fixtures, first against Montenegro on Friday (Gradski Stadion in Podgorica, 18:30 CET) and then against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday 29 March (Stadio Nereo Rocco in Padua, 17:30 CEST). “After a four-month break, the match against Montenegro won’t be as easy as some people think. We need to prepare for it as best we can, train as hard as possible and go there with the objective of winning in whatever way possible. At this point, playing well shouldn’t interest us: the sole aim is to return to Italy with three points.”

With this in mind, Head Coach Paolo Nicolato has placed his trust in five new faces, handing call-ups to  Candela, Viti, Bove, Cambiaghi and Gaetano. “When new players join the Under-21 setup, I’m happy for them because I remember when I did so two years ago. I really am delighted and excited for them, and I’m sure they can help us out,” the goalkeeper continued.

As regards newcomers, there’s someone whose morale is particularly high. He is Edoardo Bove, a 19-year-old who is really enjoying himself right now: the last couple of months have seen him score his first Serie A goal, make his Rome Derby debut and receive his first call-up for Italy Under-21s. “At this current moment, doing well with Italy is the only thing that counts,” he said. “We’ve got two vital matches coming up; we need to win and give our very best. We’ll do everything to win. This is a fantastic group, and I know a lot of the lads. I’ve encountered them in the various youth leagues and used to live next to Matteo Cancellieri when he was in Rome.”

Against Lazio, he played as a trequartista. Nicolato sees him as a mezzala, but Bove has clear ideas regarding his position: “I’m happy to cover all midfield roles, but I’m used to playing as a mezzala in a 4-3-3. I feel very comfortable with the National Team and want to help my teammates.”

Italy, who are second in Group F and sit one point behind the leaders Sweden (but with two games in hand), completed a double session today. The team will depart for Podgorica tomorrow afternoon.

Squad list

Goalkeepers: Marco Carnesecchi (Cremonese), Alessandro Plizzari (Lecce), Stefano Turati (Reggina);

Defenders: Raoul Bellanova (Cagliari), Antonio Candela (Cesena), Simone Canestrelli (Crotone), Matteo Lovato (Cagliari), Caleb Okoli (Cremonese), Fabiano Parisi (Empoli), Lorenzo Pirola (Monza), Giacomo Quagliata (Heracles Almelo), Mattia Viti (Empoli);

Midfielders: Edoardo Bove (Roma), Alessandro Cortinovis (Reggina), Salvatore Esposito (Spal), Nicolò Fagioli (Cremonese), Manolo Portanova (Genoa), Samuele Ricci (Torino), Nicolò Rovella (Genoa), Iyenoma Destiny Udogie (Udinese);

Forwards: Nicolò Cambiaghi (Pordenone), Matteo Cancellieri (Hellas Verona), Lorenzo Colombo (Spal), Gianluca Gaetano (Cremonese), Lorenzo Lucca (Pisa), Emanuel Vignato (Bologna), Kelvin K. Yeboah (Genoa).

Schedule 

Tuesday 22 March 2022

10:30                Training (open to RAI)

13:45                Press conference (two players) via Zoom (RAI in attendance)

16:30                Training (behind closed doors)

 

Wednesday 23 March 2022

10:30                Training (open to RAI)

17:00                Charter flight from Pisa to Podgorica

                         and subsequent transfer to the Hilton Podgorrica

Thursday 24 March 2022

10:30                Training (access for first 15 minutes)

13.45                Press conference (Nicolato) via Zoom (RAI in attendance)

18.30                Trip to the Gradski Stadion in Podgorica

 

Friday 25 March 2022

10:30                 Training (behind closed doors)

12:55                 Technical meeting

18:30                 Gradski Stadion in Podgorica: MONTENEGRO VS. ITALIA

                          followed by press conference via Zoom

22:30                 Charter flight from Podgorica to Trieste

                          and transfer to the Falisia Resort Portopiccolo – Sistiana

 

Saturday 26 March 2022

13:15                 Lunch

16:30                 Training (behind closed doors)

Sunday 27 March 2022

10:30                 Training (open to RAI)

13:45                 Press conference (player) via Zoom (RAI in attendance)

16:30                 Training (behind closed doors)

Monday 28 March 2022

08:30                Breakfast

10:30                Training (behind closed doors)

13:45                Press conference (Nicolato) via Zoom (Rai in attendance)

17:30                Trip to the Stadio Nereo Rocco in Trieste

Tuesday 29 March 2022

10:30                Training (behind closed doors)

12:40                Technical meeting

17:30                Stadio Nereo Rocco in Trieste: ITALY VS. BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA

                        followed by press conference and return to respective clubs