Currently sitting second place in their group following three wins and a draw (one point behind Sweden, who have played a game more), the Under-21 National Team are ready to resume their European journey, with their fifth match in qualifying coming up against the Republic of Ireland at the Tallaght Stadium in Dublin at 18:30 CET on Friday. Italy will be looking to extend their lead over Montenegro and the Irish below them, both of whom have collected seven points so far.

The Azzurrini arrived in Tirrenia last night and began their preparations today. Roma defender Riccardo Calafiori isn’t part of the group after picking up an injury. In his press conference today, Paolo Nicolato had the following to say: “Ireland are a particularly tough outfit to play on the road, which is the biggest difficulty that we face. I’d be happy to see a repeat of our most recent performances. I like how the team are playing. I hope they’ll continue in this fashion and, in the process, improve where this is required. I hope that the quality of our players come to the fore on a difficult pitch away from home.”

The team’s last match against Sweden and alleged racist abuse from an Italy player is now a thing of the past, with UEFA having dismissed the case: “I don’t think that this affair is deserving of further comment. We have respect for everyone and are always very mindful in the way we act.”

Compared to the matches in October, Tonali, who has been called up to the senior side, won’t be part of the group. He was a key player in the team’s victory away to Bosnia and Herzegovina: “The absence of Tonali is significant, especially because we’re talking about an area of the pitch where we don’t have a huge amount of options. However, I don’t think there will be big chances. We’ll try to build on our recent performances. We still need to try to improve the team’s identity but carry on going down the same path that led us to these results in doing so. We need to bolster the squad, but, for the moment, I don't think there is much room for this, although we’re working on it.”

Squad list

Goalkeepers: Marco Carnesecchi (Cremonese), Alessandro Russo (Alessandria), Stefano Turati (Reggina);
Defenders: Raoul Bellanova (Cagliari), Andrea Cambiaso (Genoa), Andrea Carboni (Cagliari), Gabriele Ferrarini (Perugia), Matteo Lovato (Atalanta), Caleb Okoli (Cremonese), Lorenzo Pirola (Monza), Giacomo Quagliata (Heracles Almelo), Giorgio Scalvini (Atalanta);
Midfielders: Salvatore Esposito (Spal), Nicolò Fagioli (Cremonese), Filippo Ranocchia (Vicenza), Samuele Ricci (Empoli), Nicolò Rovella (Genoa), Iyenoma Destiny Udogie (Udinese);
Forwards: Matteo Cancellieri (Hellas Verona), Lorenzo Colombo (Spal), Lorenzo Lucca (Pisa), Samuele Mulattieri (Crotone), Roberto Piccoli (Atalanta), Emanuel Vignato (Bologna).

Schedule (all times CET unless stated otherwise)

Monday 8 November 2021

10:30 Training (behind closed doors)

14:00 Press conference – Head Coach Nicolato (RAI in attendance, otherwise broadcast via zoom)

17:30 Training (open to RAI)

Tuesday 9 November 2021

10:30 Training (open to RAI)

13.30 Press conference – player (RAI in attendance, otherwise broadcast via zoom)

17:30 Training (behind closed doors)

 

Wednesday 10 November 2021

10:30 Training (behind closed doors)

17:00 Charter flight Pisa – Dublin and subsequent transfer to The Address City West (formerly the Kingswood Hotel) Naas Road, Kingswood, Dublin 22

 

Thursday 11 November 2021

10:30 (l.t.) Training (behind closed doors)

14:00 (l.t.) Press conference – Head Coach Nicolato (RAI in attendance, otherwise broadcast via zoom)

18:30 (l.t.) Visit to the Tallaght Stadium in Dublin

     

Friday 12 November 2021

09:00 (l.t.) Exclusive RAI interview – Nicolato

10:30 (l.t.) Training (behind closed doors)

17:30 (l.t.) Tallaght Stadium in Dublin: REPUBLIC OF IRELAND VS. ITALY  

Post-match press conference to follow (RAI in attendance, otherwise broadcast via zoom)

    

Saturday 13 November 2021

10:30 (l.t.) Charter flight Dublin - Pisa and subsequent transfer to Tirrenia Olympic Training Centre

17:30 Training (behind closed doors)

 

Sunday 14 November 2021

10:30 Training (behind closed doors)

13:30 Press conference – Player (zoom for everybody)

17:30 Training (behind closed doors)

Monday 15 November 2021

09:00 Charter train Livorno – Frosinone and subsequent transfer to Silva Hotel Splendid, Fiuggi

14:00 Press conference – Head Coach Nicolato (RAI in attendance, otherwise broadcast via zoom)

17:30 Training at the Stadio Benito Stripe in Frosinone (first 15 minutes open to the press)  

Tuesday 16 November 2021

09:00 Exclusive RAI interview - Nicolato

10:30 Muscle workout

17:30 Stadio Benito Stripe in Frosinone: ITALY VS. ROMANIA

Post-match press conference (RAI in attendance, otherwise broadcast via zoom) and return to respective clubs to follow