On 4 June 2014, Italy and Luxembourg met in Perugia in their final warm-up match before the FIFA World Cup in Brazil. The game ended 1-1, with Claudio Marchisio opening the scoring in the early stages from a Mario Balotelli assist before Chanot equalised in the 85th minute. Twelve years on, the Azzurri cross paths with the Red Lions once again, but tomorrow's fixture (20:45 CEST, referee is Kooij of the Netherlands) at the Stade de Luxembourg will unfortunately not serve as a World Cup send-off. Instead, it represents the first building block in the reconstruction of Italy's future. “The lads have trained exceptionally well,” Head Coach Silvio Baldini said in his pre-match press conference. “They are a fantastic group. They have worked with heart and with the excitement of knowing they will be at the heart of it tomorrow evening and will represent the Italian people.”

ITALY'S YOUNG GENERATION. The average age of the Azzurri squad is just 20 years and six months, with Gigio Donnarumma the only player born before 2004. It is an Italy side younger than ever before, one that will look to show tomorrow that the country is not short of talent, but perhaps only of the courage to place trust in it. “These lads are the future of Italian football. If they are here, it means they are currently the best. They have progressed from the Under-15s all the way to the senior national team. We want to show how they have developed throughout that journey.”

Several players in the Azzurri squad were born in Italy to foreign-born parents. “Italy is a country where immigration has increased significantly over the last twenty years, and we must follow the course of history. Our people include these young men who come from different backgrounds, but I see a great deal of integration. That gives me hope that they have found a country capable of welcoming them.”

The Head Coach deliberately chose not to show the team any analysis of Luxembourg. “We have not looked at anything, not out of disrespect, but because I do not want to put pressure on the lads. I want them to play freely. They will need to be smart enough to adapt to their opponents during the match.”

Silvio Baldini in his pre-match press conference before the Luxembourgh game
Silvio Baldini in his pre-match press conference before the Luxembourgh game

FIRST MATCH IN CHARGE. Many of the youngsters are set to make their senior international debuts, just as Silvio Baldini will make his first appearance as Italy Head Coach. Since the training camp began, however, he has put any emotion to one side. “Once I arrived at Coverciano, I felt the responsibility of being useful to them (the players, ed.). I feel immense joy in representing our people. What matters most to me is that the lads are proud to wear this shirt, but above all that they have the courage and freedom to express themselves without fear.”

When asked to whom he would dedicate his first match as Head Coach, Baldini did not hide his emotion. “Not to a person, but to my children's dog, especially my daughter's. He was a Maremma Sheepdog.”

Luca Lipani in training ahead of his Italy debut
Luca Lipani in training ahead of his Italy debut

LIPANI READY FOR HIS DEBUT. Luca Lipani could also make his senior Italy debut tomorrow evening. Captain of the Under-21s, European champion with the Under-19s three years ago and FIFA Under-20 World Cup runner-up, the Sassuolo midfielder is preparing for his first experience with the senior national team. The aim, naturally, is to return to Coverciano regularly in the years ahead, but for now he is determined to enjoy the moment. “I remember the first time I wore an Italy shirt, with the Under-15s, and even then it was a dream come true. Having the chance to play for the senior national team fills me with pride. It is an incredible feeling.”

He will not be the only debutant tomorrow. “I have the advantage of having come through all the youth national teams. I grew up alongside many of my teammates.”

SQUAD LIST

Goalkeepers: Giovanni Daffara (Avellino), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City), Lorenzo Palmisani (Frosinone);

Defenders: Honest Ahanor (Atalanta), Davide Bartesaghi (Milan), Fabio Chiarodia (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Pietro Comuzzo (Fiorentina), Costantino Favasuli (Catanzaro), Niccolò Fortini (Fiorentina), Filippo Mane (Borussia Dortmund), Marco Palestra (Cagliari), Luca Reggiani (Borussia Dortmund);

Midfielders: Tommaso Berti (Cesena), Matteo Dagasso (Venezia), Giacomo Faticanti (Juventus), Luca Lipani (Sassuolo), Cher Ndour (Fiorentina), Niccolò Pisilli (Roma);

Forwards: Francesco Camarda (Lecce), Luigi Cherubini (Sampdoria), Jeff Ekhator (Genoa), Francesco Pio Esposito (Inter), Seydou Fini (Frosinone), Samuele Inacio (Borussia Dortmund), Luca Koleosho (Paris FC).