The Under-21 National Team have begun their preparations for their European Championship qualifying matches against Iceland and the Republic of Ireland, scheduled respectively on Friday 9 October at Víkingsvöllur in Reykjavik and Tuesday 13 October at Arena Garibaldi-Romeo Anconetani in Pisa. Both matches will kick off at 17:30 CEST and be streamed live on Rai 2.

Hellas Verona Matteo Lovato, who originally received his first Azzurrini call-up, is no longer part of the group due to an injury he picked up while playing club football. Paolo Nicolato has called up Cagliari defender Alessandro Tripaldelli in his place. Meanwhile, in compliance with guidelines from the health authorities, Juventus defender Gianluca Frabotta will undergo the relevant assessments and must obtain authorisation before joining up with the squad.

All the players and staff were subject to swabs this morning, and they all came back negative. Following their first group defeat on 8 September in Sweden, the Under-21 National Team are second in the Group 1 rankings with 13 points, three behind Ireland having played a game less. The Azzurrini have two double sessions scheduled for tomorrow and Wednesday, while on Thursday morning the team will leave for Reykjavik, where, in the afternoon, they will put the finishing touches to their preparations at Víkingsvöllur, the stadium that will play host to their clash with Ireland.

Squad list

Goalkeepers: Marco Carnesecchi (Atalanta), Alessandro Plizzari (Reggina), Alessandro Russo (Virtus Entella);

Defenders: Claud Adjapong (Lecce), Alessandro Bastoni (Inter), Raoul Bellanova (Pescara), Nicolò Casale (Empoli), Enrico Delprato (Reggina), Gianluca Frabotta (Juventus), Matteo Gabbia (Milan), Riccardo Marchizza (Spezia), Marco Sala (Spal), Alessandro Tripaldelli (Cagliari), Marco Varnier (Pisa);

Midfielders: Andrea Colpani (Monza), Davide Frattesi (Monza), Giulio Maggiore (Spezia), Youssef Maleh (Venezia), Samuele Ricci (Empoli), Sandro Tonali (Milan), Niccolò Zanellato (Crotone);

Forwards: Patrick Cutrone (Fiorentina), Andrea Pinamonti (Inter), Gianluca Scamacca (Genoa), Riccardo Sottil (Cagliari).

Schedule

Monday 5 October

10:30 - Training (behind closed doors)

17:30 - Allenamento (behind closed doors)

Tuesday 6 October

10:30 - Training (behind closed doors)

17:30 – Training (behind closed doors)

Wednesday 7 October

10:30 - Training (behind closed doors)

17:30 - Training (open to RAI TV)

Thursday 8 October

10:00 - Charter flight Pisa-Reykjavik 

15:30 (l.t.) - Training session at Víkingsvöllur (first 15 minutes open to the public)

Friday 9 October

15:30 (l.t.) - ICELAND  VS. ITALY Víkingsvöllur in Reykjavik (followed by a press conference)

Saturday 10 October

10:00 (l.t.) - Charter flight Reykjiavik-Pisa and subsequent transfer to the CPO in Tirrenia

18:30 - Training session (behind closed doors)

Sunday 11 October

11:00 - Training

Monday 12 October

10:30 - Training (behind closed doors)

18:30 - Training at the Arena Garibaldi – Romeo Anconetani in Pisa (first 15 minutes open to the public)

Tuesday 13 October

17:30 – ITALY VS. REPUBLIC OF IRELAND, Arena Garibaldi – Romeo Anconetani in Pisa (followed by press conference and the team's return home)