Italy’s squad, when the national team plays and everything you need to know – Corriere.it

We leave. It’s up to the Under 21s to color the summer a little blue, going in search of the European Championship which for the first three is worth a place at the Paris Olympics: an appointment that Italy achieved last time in Beijing 2008 and which it holds dear. The call-up of Tonali, Gnonto and also Scalvini, all in the senior national team, should be read in this sense. While Kean’s self-exclusion ended up uniting the group more.

Today coach Paolo Nicolato’s team leaves the training camp in Tirrenia and flies to Romania, where they will play the three matches of the first phase, which rewards the first two of the group: the most difficult to debut, Thursday 22 against France (20.45 Rai1). Then Switzerland (25 June at 18 Rai2) and Norway (28, 20.45 Rai1). The minimum goal is the semifinal. Last act on July 8 in Batumi in Georgia, in the state stadium of Kvaratskhelia, which however has given up. Building the group – explains the coach – was even simpler than expected: we are good together, this does not guarantee that results will arrive, but it increases the possibilities. I think we will be able to field a team that knows what it has to do, then we will have to deal with the quality of the opponents, the unexpected events, the episodes, but the group has done a great job, also tactically. I hope to experience strong emotions, which are what this job is for: we have the ambition to win against the best.

It could be the coach’s last experience at the helm of the Under 21 team. But he claims the importance of growth and performance regardless of the result (I won’t be Italian in this, but I think so) and wait for the opponent rather: We will come out of the match against France understanding at what level we are. We face a very strong team, but what matters is getting out of it with the right trust. I understand that there is enthusiasm around this Italy, but the level will be very high: the right humility is needed. And we mustn’t feel pressure, except to give our all. Waiting for Gnonto (I see him as a tip, less on the wing) for the starting 3-5-2 Nicolato found the Pellegri grenade, eager to prove his worth after some injuries: He deserves the blue shirt, he’s doing very well, even if he hasn’t played 90′ for some time. But I bet a lot on him. Have a good trip.

Where to see the Under 21 European Championship

Rai broadcasts the Under 21 European Championship exclusively, with reference channels Rai1 and Rai2. In streaming the matches will be visible on Rai Play.

The four groups of Euro U21

Group A: Georgia, Portugal, Belgium, Holland
Group B: Romania, Spain, Ukraine, Croatia
Group C: Czech Republic, England, Germany, Sweden
Group D: Norway, Switzerland, France, Italy.

When Italy plays

In the first phase, Italy will play against France on 22 June (8.45 pm, on Rai1), on June 25 against Switzerland (6 pm, on Rai2) and on June 28 against Norway (8.45 pm, on Rai1).

Italy squad

Goalkeepers: Caprile (Bari), Carnesecchi (Cremonese), Turati (Frosinone).
Defenders: Bellanova (Inter), Cambiaso (Bologna), Cittadini (Modena), Lovato (Salernitana), Okoli (Atalanta), Parisi (Empoli), Pirola (Salernitana), Scalvini (Atalanta), Udogie (Udinese).
Midfielders: Bove (Roma), Esposito (Spezia), Miretti (Juventus), Ricci (Turin), Rovella (Monza), Tonali (Milan).
Forwards: Cambiaghi (Empoli), Cancellieri (Lazio), Colombo (Lecce), Gnonto Pietro Pellegri (Turin).