Italy check out U21 stars of tomorrow
Friday, March 20, 2009
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Pierluigi Casiraghi has offered a glimpse of Italy Under-21s future after naming a squad made up entirely of players who will be eligible for the 2011 UEFA U21 European Championship for their friendly against Austria.
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Pierluigi Casiraghi has offered a glimpse of Italy Under-21s future after naming a squad made up entirely of players who will be eligible for the 2011 UEFA U21 European Championship for their game against Austria in a four-nation tournament at the Franz Furst Stadion on 25 March.
Inexperienced side
Only six members of the 19-man party have played at U21 level before: Francesco Bolzoni, Alberto Paloschi, Davide Di Gennaro, Andrea Poli, Andrea Ranocchia and Andrea Seculin. A stronger Azzurrini squad, one likely to provide the majority of candidates for the 2009 finals in June, will meet the Netherlands in a friendly on 31 March.
Italy squad
Goalkeepers: Vincenzo Fiorillo (UC Sampdoria), Andrea Seculin (ACF Fiorentina)
Defenders: Lorenzo Ariaudo (Juventus), Giuseppe Bellusci (Ascoli Calcio), Alessandro Crescenzi (AS Roma), Matteo Darmian (AC Milan), Alessandro Malomo (AS Roma), Andrea Ranocchia (AS Bari), Francesco Renzetti (UC Albinoleffe)
Midfielders: Antonino Barillà (Reggina Calcio), Francesco Bolzoni (FC Internazionale Milano), Ivan Castiglia (AS Cittadella), Michael Cia (US Triestina Calcio), Davide Di Gennaro (Reggina Calcio), Cristian Pasquato (Empoli FC), Andrea Poli (US Sassuolo Calcio)
Forwards: Ciro Immobile (Juventus), Ettore Mendicino (S.S. Lazio), Alberto Paloschi (Parma FC)