Carmine Nunziata summed it up perfectly yesterday: "To improve, a player needs to play." Simple and direct, it is a message that Club Italia continues to send out; just look at the latest European final reached by the Under-17s. It echoes the fact that Italy has talent at youth level and there simply needs to exist the courage to nurture it by giving young players opportunities and the space to develop. Kevin Zeroli, currently with the Under-21 squad preparing for Monday's friendly against Albania in Fontanafredda (8 June, 18:15 CEST), is one of those talented players Nunziata is referring to. Developed in Milan's academy and with Juve Stabia this season, Zeroli is one of those youngsters who, through determination and hard work, is showing that he belongs in senior football.

ZEROLI SPEAKS. "My season started well," he said from the training camp in Sacile. "Then a few injuries slowed me down, but things definitely improved once I came back. I agree with coach Nunziata: playing is the only way to grow because you gain experience and understand movements and match situations better. In that respect I feel I've grown compared to two years ago." The reference is to the UEFA European Under-19 Championship in Belfast, where he played a leading role before Italy were eliminated by Spain in the semi-finals. "Even so, in Italy it's more difficult to make the step up and become established. Clubs often prefer to rely on players who are more experienced and more developed, whereas when you come through an academy you're often seen as 'the young one' and it's difficult to feel fully part of the first-team group."

UNDER-21 AMBITION. Trust is the key factor. "The talent is there in Italy and we continue to prove it at youth level. Then it's up to us to take advantage of the opportunities we get, just as the many players who made their senior debut against Luxembourg did. They did it well and made the most of their moment." Fifteen debutants featured in that match, almost all of them coming through the Under-21 setup, where Zeroli himself took his first steps when he made his debut in the 4-1 win over Montenegro last November. "My goal is to stay with the Under-21s for as long as possible. It's a very strong group with players of a high level. I'll keep working to earn a permanent place in the squad."

ALBANIA NEXT. Looking ahead to the match against Albania, Zeroli added: "It's true that we're coming into this game at the end of the season, but it's a national-team match and you have to give everything. We know them, we know they press aggressively and it will be a tough game, but we'll go onto the pitch to win."