Alberto Bollini's Under-20 National Team is heading back to Ascoli, where preparations have already begun for their match against Germany, the penultimate of this season’s Elite League, which will be played on Thursday 24 March at 17:00 CET at the 'Cino e Lillo Del Duca' stadium.

This morning, in the Sala De Carolis e Ferri of Arengo Palace, there was a press conference to present the match, which marks the Azzurrini’s return to the capital of the Marche region after the match back in 2014 against Poland. “We are proud to once again host the national team because Ascoli has a long-standing football tradition and such events are important for the entire area,” Mayor Marco Fioravanti stated. “In recent weeks, we have invited schools and football clubs to ensure that there is a large number of children and young people cheering for the Azzurrini in the stands on Thursday. It will be a highly anticipated match, and we hope to bring some luck to the young team.”

“In recent years, many major sporting events have been held in Ascoli and we are happy to be given the opportunity to further our great relationship with the FIGC,” added Sports Councillor Domenico Stallone. “The Azzurri delegation will stay in the city centre for the rest of the week, and we want to make our admiration known to the staff and players so that they can create an environment in which they can express themselves in the best possible way.” A sentiment also felt by the General Director of Ascoli Calcio, Claudio Tanzi, who underlined how this match has “a strong value for the entire community, since the stadium is part of the social fabric and therefore needs to be utilised by the fans for both cultural and sporting events and not only for the Bianconeri’s home fixtures.” Marche Councillor for Sport, Giorgia Latini, also wanted to give her support: “The city and the region are set to shine on the international stage again. This match represents a beautiful collaboration and will give prestige and coverage to the whole community.”

While waiting to take the first training session and to step onto the pitch, Alberto Bollini had the following to say: “We are playing in a prestigious tournament and the boys know this. The mood of the team is very good; here everyone is aware of the weight of the Azzurri shirt. We are sure the public will give us the encouragement to express ourselves in the best possible way, and in these days we will work to ensure that we are ready for the challenge.”

For the match against Germany, given Simone Panada and Daniel Maldini’s unavailability, Bollini decided to call up Crotone striker Gianmarco Cangiano, who has already joined up with the rest of the group.

Media accreditation - Until 12 noon on Wednesday 23 March, journalists and photographers can request accreditation by sending an email to n.gaetani@figc.it.

Squad list

Goalkeepers: Denis Franchi (Paris Saint-Germain), Alessandro Russo (VV Sint-Truiden), Alessandro Sorrentino (Pescara);

Defenders: Tommaso Barbieri (Juventus), Riccardo Calafiori (Genoa), Andrea Carboni (Cagliari), Alessandro Circati (Parma), Christian Dalle Mura (Pordenone), Davide Angelo Ghislandi (Turris), Andrea Papetti (Brescia), Alessandro Pio Riccio (Juventus), Matteo Ruggeri (Salernitana);

Midfielders: Alessandro Bianco (Fiorentina), Jean Freddi Pascal Greco (Catania), Giuseppe Leone (Juventus), Tommaso Pantaleo Milanese (Alessandria), Nikola Sekulov (Juventus), Cristian Volpato (Roma), Emanuele Zuelli (Juventus);

Forwards: Gianmarco Cangiano (Crotone), Riccardo Ciervo (Sassuolo), Sebastiano Esposito (Basilea), Luca Moro (Catania), Gaetano Pio Oristanio (Volendam), Edoardo Vergani (Salernitana).

Staff: Head Coach, Alberto Bollini; Delegation Head, Evaristo Beccalossi; Secretaries, Fabio Ferappi and Giulio Massi; Assistant Coach, Enrico Battisti; Fitness Coach, Marco Montini; Goalkeeping Coach, Graziano Vinti; Match Analyst, Francesco Donzella; Nutritionist, Andrea Carolina Striglio; Doctors: Emanuele Fabrizi and Matteo Vitali; Physiotherapists, Tommaso Cannata and Andrea Cantera.