A month on from their wins against Luxembourg and Montenegro, the Under-21 National Team are ready to resume their Euro 2023 qualifying journey: on 8 October, they’ll face Bosnia and Herzegovina in Zenica, while a clash against Sweden in Monza awaits four days later. The last time the Azzurrini played in the latter city was on 14 November 2000, when they drew 0-0 with England.

A 28-man squad has been named by Paolo Nicolato for the upcoming fixtures, with Vincenza goalkeeper Semuel Pizzignacco and Crotone defender Simone Canestrelli receiving their first call-ups. The team will meet up at the Olympic Training Centre in Tirrenia on Sunday and then begin their preparations the next day. They will fly from Pisa to Sarajevo on Wednesday afternoon.

Italy U21s have faced their Bosnian counterparts away from home on one occasion, winning 1-0 in Euro qualifying on 3 September 2010. Meanwhile, they’ve faced Sweden 19 times, with their record reading as follows: nine wins (the last one a 4-1 victory on 18 November 2020 in Pisa), six draws, four defeats.

Squad list

Goalkeepers: Semuel Pizzignacco (Vicenza), Alessandro Russo (Alessandria), Stefano Turati (Reggina);

Defenders: Raoul Bellanova (Cagliari), Riccardo Calafiori (Roma), Andrea Cambiaso (Genoa), Simone Canestrelli (Crotone), Andrea Carboni (Cagliari), Gabriele Ferrarini (Perugia), Matteo Lovato (Atalanta), Kaleb Okoli (Cremonese), Lorenzo Pirola (Monza), Iyenoma Destiny Udogie (Udinese);

Midfielders: Marco Brescianini (Monza), Salvatore Esposito (Spal), Nicolò Fagioli (Cremonese), Filippo Ranocchia (Vicenza), Samuele Ricci (Empoli), Nicolò Rovella (Genoa), Sandro Tonali (Milan);

Forwards: Matteo Cancellieri (Hellas Verona), Lorenzo Colombo (Spal), Sebastiano Esposito (FC Basel), Lorenzo Lucca (Pisa), Samuele Mulattieri (Crotone), Roberto Piccoli (Atalanta), Emanuel Vignato (Bologna),  Kelvin Yeboah (Sportklub Sturm Graz).

Schedule (all times CEST)

Sunday 3 October 2021

Team to meet up at the Olympic Training Centre in Tirrenia by 23:00 CEST

                           

Monday 4 October 2021

10:30 Training (footage to be filmed by RAI)

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

17:30 Training (behind closed doors)

 

Tuesday 5 October 2021

10:30 Training (footage to be filmed by RAI)

13:30 Press conference – player (RAI in attendance, otherwise broadcast via zoom)

17:30 Training (behind closed doors)

 

Wednesday 6 October 2021

10:30 Training (behind closed doors)

17:00 Charter flight Pisa – Sarajevo and subsequent transfer to Zenica Hotel (approx. 1 h.)

 

Thursday 7 October 2021

10:30 Training (behind closed doors)

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

17:30 Technical meeting

19:00 Visit to the FF BH Football Training Centre

     

Friday 8 October 2021

09:00 Exclusive RAI interview – Nicolato

10:30 Training (behind closed doors)

12:55 Technical meeting

17:30 FF BH Football Training Centre

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA VS. ITALIA 

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

Saturday 9 October 2021

11:00 Charter flight Sarajevo – Milan Malpensa and subsequent transfer to Novarello Villaggio Azzurro via Dante Graziosi,1 Granozzo con Monticello

17:30 Training (behind closed doors)

 

Sunday 10 October 2021

10:30 Training (behind closed doors)

14:00 RAI interview with Nicolato for La Domenica Sportiva

17:30 Training (behind closed doors)

20:10 Technical meeting

 

Monday 11 October 2021

10:30 Training (behind closed doors)

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

16:00 Departure for hotel in Monza area

19:00 Visit to Stadio Brianteo in Monza

 

Tuesday 12 October 2021

09:30 Exclusive RAI interview – Nicolato

10:30 Muscle workout

12:40 Technical meeting

17:30 Stadio Brianteo

ITALY VS. SWEDEN

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