It's almost time to begin. The Under-20 National Team will play tomorrow at 18:00 CEST in Gdynia to kick off their Under-20 World Cup campaign.

Italy made it to Poland after finishing second at the Under-19 European Championship in Finland. The side will be looking to improve on the performance two years ago when Albertico Evani’s side finished third in South Korea. "We’re starting with lots of enthusiasm," said Nicolato on the eve of the tournament. "We’re happy with the work done so far but aware of the difficulties that we’ll face, you can’t do anything worthwhile without overcoming obstacles. The group has worked well and the Under-19 team from last year set an example to follow, aiding the introduction of new players and helping team chemistry. We’re enthusiastic, we’re talking about a World Cup which is an event that has launched lots of great talents. We want to do well and pick up valuable experience."

After the opening fixture against Mexico in Gdynia, on Sunday 26 May in Bydgoszcz, Italy will face Ecuador before on Wednesday 29 May, Japan will be opposition in the final Group B match. "It’s a tough group," warned the Italy Coach. "No sides will lie down and there are two continental finalists in Mexico and Japan who lost to the USA and Saudi Arabia while Ecuador won the South American title against Argentina. In the first match against Mexico, we’ll be against players who’ve been working together since 23 March."

World Cup squad

Goalkeepers: Alessandro Plizzari (Milan), Marco Carnesecchi (Atalanta), Leonardo Loria (Juventus);

Defenders: Luca Pellegrini (Cagliari), Alessandro Buongiorno (Carpi), Alessandro Tripaldelli (Crotone), Luca Ranieri (Foggia), Matteo Gabbia (Lucchese), Raoul Bellanova (Milan), Davide Bettella (Pescara), Antonio Candela (Genoa), Enrico Delprato (Atalanta);

Midfielders: Salvatore Esposito (Ravenna), Davide Frattesi (Ascoli), Domenico Roberto Alberico (Hoffenheim), Andrea Colpani (Atalanta);

Forwards: Gabriele Gori (Livorno), Marco Olivieri (Juventus), Gianluca Scamacca (Sassuolo), Andrea Pinamonti (Frosinone), Christian Capone (Pescara).

Staff – Delegation Head: Massimo Paganin; National Teams Co-ordinator Maurizio Viscidi; Coach: Paolo Nicolato; Assistant Coach: Mirco Gasparetto; Secretary: Fabio Ferappi; Fitness coach: Vincenzo Pincolini; Goalkeeping coach: Matteo Mareggini; Match Analyst: Francesco Bordin; Doctors: Matteo Vitali and Luca Labianca; Physiotherapists: Nicola Sanna and Andrea Mangino; Nutritionist: Alessio Colli.

 

World Cup groups

 

Group A: Poland, Colombia, Tahiti, Senegal

Group B: Mexico, ITALY, Japan, Ecuador

Group C: Honduras, New Zealand, Uruguay, Norway

Group D: Qatar, Nigeria, Ukraine, United States of America

Group E: Panama, Mali, France, Saudi Arabia

Group F: Portugal, South Korea, Argentina, South Africa

 

Gruoup B Fixtures

 

Matchday One (23 May)

18:00 ITALY vs. Mexico (Gdynia)

20:30: Japan vs. Ecuador (Bydgoszcz)

 

Matchday Two (26 May)

15:30: Mexico vs. Japan (Gdynia)

18:00 Ecuador vs. ITALY (Bydgoszcz)

 

Matchday Three (29 May)

18:00 Ecuador vs. Mexico (Gdynia)

18:00 ITALY vs. Japan (Bydgoszcz)