A versatile attacking player with a refined left foot, Federico Bernardeschi was born on 16 February 1994 in Carrara. After starting out as a youngster at Atletico Carrara, his talent was immediately recognised by Fiorentina, who brought him to the Tuscan capital at the age of ten. He got his first taste of professional football in 2013 when the Viola loaned him out to Crotone in Serie B. He immediately made his mark, scoring twelve goals in 39 appearances as the Calabrian side qualified for the playoffs. After returning to Fiorentina, Montella gave him his Serie A debut in Fiorentina 0-0 Genoa on 14 September 2014. He scored his first Viola goal shortly afterwards, netting against Guingamp in the Europa League. His first goal in Serie A came against Chievo on 31 May 2015. The following season, he wore the No.10 shirt. This was confirmation of his importance to the team, with Montella lining him up in various positions and watching him perform to very high standards wherever he played. In the summer of 2017, Federico joined his current club Juventus.

On an international level, he was first called up to the Under-21 team by Di Biagio on 28 February 2014, following which he made his debut against Northern Ireland in a European Championship qualifying match on 5 March. His first goal came on 9 September 2014 as the Azzurrini thumped Cyprus 7-1. In March 2014, Head Coach Prandelli decided to call him up for a training camp held for young Italian prospects. His first call-up to the senior side came when Conte was in charge: on 19 March 2016, he was named in the squad for Italy’s upcoming friendlies against Spain and Germany ahead of the European Championship. His National Team debut came against La Roja on 24 March. He was part of the Euro 2016 campaign, playing on one occasion. So far, Bernardeschi has scored four goals in 24 appearances for the Azzurri.

Angelo Peruzzi was born in Blera (VT) on 16 February 1970. A World Cup-winning goalkeeper who played for Roma, Juventus, Inter and Lazio during his playing career, he’s currently the latter’s Club Manager. A man who was particularly effective when racing off his line, Peruzzi came through Roma’s youth ranks and made his Serie A debut for the Giallorossi on 13 December 1987 at the young age of 17. He then joined Juventus ahead of the 1991/92 campaign and became a key player as Lippi’s side won every trophy on offer, both in Italy and abroad. After a spell at Inter, he moved to Lazio, where his career would come to an end following the 2006/07 season.

As for Italy, he was involved in two Under-21 European Championships in 1990 and 1992, the latter of which the Azzurrini won. He made his senior debut on 25 March 1995 as Italy beat Estonia 4-1 during their Euro ’96 qualifying campaign. He was a starter during the tournament in England but missed out on the 1998 World Cup due to injury. Peruzzi was the Azzurri’s third-choice goalkeeper for Euro 2004 and was also called up by Lippi for the 2006 World Cup, which Italy won on German soil. In total, he made 31 appearances for the National Team. He was part of Marcello Lippi’s staff for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa during the Head Coach’s second spell in charge, while he then became assistant coach of the Under-21s with Ferrara at the helm.