Second day of work for the Azzurri at Coverciano ahead of their two upcoming European qualifiers against Greece (8th June in Athens) and Bosnia (11th June in Turin). These two very important games could already prove to be crucial in terms of qualification to the continental tournament.

Federico Bernardeschi spoke in today’s press conference at the Technical Federal Centre suggesting important objectives for the future: “It’s more than right to set the bar high in terms of our future objectives. We want to reach the European Championship next summer and try and win it. We will have one more year experience by next year, we want to be ready to compete by Euro 2020.”

“This is an extraordinary group,” Bernardeschi added. “It is a tight-knit group which combines veteran players with talented youngsters. I think we can all agree that this is the kind of national team we were all longing for because there are very good players, but mostly great men. Coach Roberto Mancini has done a great job since the very beginning to create this mix.”

The Juventus midfielder then spoke about his position and where he likes to play the most: “I think that players have to be able to play in multiple positions in modern football. It doesn’t matter if someone plays in a more central position, a bit ahead or a bit behind: what matters most is that a players’ performance is distinguished by running ability, quality and athleticism. Everyone has to put themselves at the coach’s disposal and give their all for the good of the team. Then again, it’s obvious that every player has a position where he can give his best.”

To play in front of goal makes it easier to score more goals in a season. When you play a bit deeper you have to run more and it often happens that you’re not very alert when you create the chance to score in front of the goal. This is an aspect I definitely want to improve.”

Finally, Bernardeschi sent a message to the Azzurre, who are set to travel to Valenciennes in France today ahead of their Women’s World Cup debut against Australia on 9th June: “I wish the women’s team good luck as they represent our country in France. I want to tell the Azzurre that we are all rooting for them, we will follow closely the tournament.”

Politano withdraws from the squad 
Matteo Politano will be unavailable against Greece and Bosnia due to a sustained left ankle injury. The Internazionale winger has left the training camp today to return to his club for necessary treatment.

 

Squad

Goalkeepers: Alessio Cragno (Cagliari), Pierluigi Gollini (Atalanta); Salvatore Sirigu (Torino), Antonio Mirante (Roma);

Defenders: Francesco Acerbi (Lazio), Cristiano Biraghi (Fiorentina), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Mattia De Sciglio (Juventus), Emerson Palmieri (Chelsea), Alessandro Florenzi (Roma), Armando Izzo (Torino), Gianluca Mancini (Atalanta), Alessio Romagnoli (Milan), Leonardo Spinazzola (Juventus);

Midfielders: Nicolò Barella (Cagliari), Federico Bernardeschi (Juventus), Bryan Cristante (Roma), Frello Filho Jorge Luiz Jorginho (Chelsea), Lorenzo Pellegrini (Roma), Stefano Sensi (Sassuolo), Marco Verratti (Paris Saint Germain), Nicolò Zaniolo (Roma);

Forwards: Andrea Belotti (Torino), Federico Chiesa (Fiorentina), Stephan El Shaarawy (Roma), Vincenzo Grifo (Friburgo), Ciro Immobile (Lazio), Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli), Moise Kean (Juventus), Leonardo Pavoletti (Cagliari), Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria).

 

Staff – Head Coach: Roberto Mancini; National Team Coordintaor: Gabriele Oriali; Assistant Coaches: Alberico Evani, Attilio Lombardo, Giulio Nuciari, Fausto Salsano; Fitness coaches: Claudio Donatelli and Andrea Scanavino; Goalkeeping coach: Massimo Battara; Match Analyst: Antonio Gagliardi; Doctors: Andrea Ferretti and Carmine Costabile; Physiotherapist: Maurizio Fagorzi, Emanuele Randelli, Fabrizio Scalzi, Luca Lascialfari, Fabio Sannino; Hosteopath: Walter Marinelli; Nutritionist: Matteo Pincella.

 

Squad schedule and media commitments

Monday 3 June

13:30 Press conference

17:00 Training (first 15 minutes open to accredited press)

 

Tuesday 4 June

11:30 Concert – “Inno svelato raccontato agli Azzurri” (open to accredited press).

13:30 Press conference (players)

17:00 Training (first 15 minutes open to accredited press)

 

Wednesday 5 June

10:00 Training (closed door)

13:30 Press conference (players)

18:30 Training (first 15 minutes open to accredited press)

 

Thursday 6 June

10:00 Training (closed door)

13:30 Press conference (players)

18:30 Training (closed door)

 

Friday 7 June

09:00 Transfer to Florence airport

10:00 Flight from Florence to Athens

13:00 l.t.* Arrival and transfer to hotel

17:30 l.t. Press conference MD-1 c/o ‘OACA Spyros Louis Stadium’

18:00 l.t. Training MD-1 c/o ‘OACA Spyros Louis Stadium’ (first 15 minutes open to accredited press)

 

Saturday 8 June

21:45 l.t. MD3 Greece–Italy - ’Spyros Louis Stadium’

 

Sunday 9 June

11:00 l.t. Training (closed door)

15:45 l.t. Airport transfer

17:00 l.t. Flight from Athens to Turin

19:00 Arrival and transfer to the hotel

 

Monday 10 June

17:30 Press conference MD-1 c/o “Juventus Stadium”

18:00 Training MD-1 c/o “Juventus Stadium” (first 15 minutes open to accredited press)

 

Tuesday 11 June

20:45 MD4 Italy–Bosnia Herzegovina - “Juventus Stadium”