After finishing fourth in the World Cup in June, the Under-20 National Team are set to go again: on Thursday 5 September at 17:00 CEST, they’ll play their opening fixture of the 8 Nations Tournament against Poland in Caldiero before then facing the Czech Republic in Prestice on Monday 9 September (16:00 CEST). The following teams are involved in the tournament, which is now in its third iteration (after the previous formula with four teams): Poland, Czech Republic, England, the Netherlands, Germany, Portugal and Switzerland.

The match against the Poles will be the first time that Daniele Franceschini has taken charge of the Under-20 National Team: the new Head Coach has taken the place of Paolo Nicolato, who is now leading the Under-21s. Under Nicolato’s guidance, the Under-20s saw off Poland at the World Cup thanks to Andrea Pinamonti’s dinked penalty, a result which saw the Azzurrini qualify for the quarter-finals.

22 players have been called up by Franceschini, who is feeling emotional ahead of his new challenge: “There’s a lot of enthusiasm ahead of this new experience, not so much on a personal level as continuing to work as a team as part of the Italy setup.” This is an adventure which began four years ago, when he was the assistant for the Under-17 National Team led by Emiliano Bigica. He then coached the Under-18s for two years, eventually moving on up to the Under-20s. “There is the objective to do well out on the pitch, but above all we want the lads to gain international experience and grow technically and mentally with the ultimate aim of giving a new lease of life to the senior National Team and the Under-21s.”

Among those called up, there are two new faces: Venezia youngster Alessandro Fiordaliso and Parma player Alessandro Minelli. The team will get together on Sunday 1 September in Padua and, after the match against Poland, then depart for the Czech Republic on Friday 6 September.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Leonardo Loria (Juventus), Simone Ghidotti (Pergolettese);
Defenders: Gabriele Ferrarini (Pistoiese), Alessandro Fiordaliso (Venezia), Gabriele Bellodi (Crotone), Gabriele Corbo (Bologna), Filippo Delli Carri (Juventus), Alessandro Minelli (Parma), Mattia Pitzalis (Olbia), Gianluca Frabotta (Juventus);
Midfielders: Manolo Portanova (Juventus), Lorenzo Gavioli (Venezia), Salvatore Esposito (Chievo Verona), Andrea Danzi (Hellas Verona), Andrea Colpani (Trapani), Tommaso Pobega (Pordenone);
Forwards: Giacomo Raspadori (Sassuolo), Marco Olivieri (Juventus), Gianluca Gaetano (Napoli), Domenico Roberto Alberico (Hoffeneim), Christian Capone (Perugia), Emanuel Vignato (Chievo Verona).

Staff – Head Coach: Daniele Franceschini; Delegation Head: Filippo Corti; Assistant Coach: Elvis Abbruscato; Secretaries: Fabio Ferappi and Alessandro Lulli; Goalkeeper Coach: Antonio Chimenti; Fitness Coach: Luca Coppari; Match Analyst: Riccardo Manno; Doctors: Emanuele Fabrizi and Lorenzo Ticca; Nutritionist: Alessio Colli; Physiotherapist: Andrea Cantera.

Italy’s 8 Nations Tournament fixture list

5 September: Italy vs. Poland
9 September: Czech Republic vs. Italy
10 October: Italy vs. England
15 October: Portugal vs. Italy
18 November: Italy vs. Switzerland
27 March: Germany vs. Italy
31 March: Italy vs. Netherlands