UEFA U-21 Championships 2013: Italy look strong in experience and tradition

Apart from the experience front which Italy would be relishing going into this summer’s showpiece event in Europe, they have a certain Lorenzo Insigne in their ranks too who, no doubt, is destined to make it big in Italian football in years to come if all goes according to plan for the diminutive yet prodigiously talented Napoli forward. Insigne has been likened to a young Gianfranco Zola due to his flexibility on the football pitch and the way he plays a multiple role from being a creative attacking midfielder to a striker. No wonder Cesare Prandelli called him to the senior squad last September and the 21-year-old made his debut for the Azzurri against Malta. And had there been no European U-21 championships this summer, ‘El Pocho’ would have been a part of Italy’s Confederations Cup calculations. Nevertheless to say, Insigne would be a big hit in Israel as he has a prolific U-21 record, having scored five times in eight caps. Napoli had a fine season and the 5ft 3in Insigne scored five goals and chipped in with seven assists. With a summer of ferocious transfer activity predicted, new Napoli manager Rafael Benitez would hope to keep hold of the talented Italian at all costs as the likes of Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur are reported to be keeping a close watch on the player for the upcoming season. Juventus’ Lucas Marrone, capped 31 times in the U-21 level and a key figure in the qualifying campaign, is another player to watch out for.

Lorenzo Insigne of Italy in action during an Italy training session at Milanello

Italy U-21 squad

Goalkeepers: Francesco Bardi (Novara Calcio), Simone Colombi (Modena FC), Nicola Leali (SS Virtus Lanciano 1924).

Defenders: Matteo Bianchetti (HellasVerona FC), Cristiano Biraghi (AS Cittadella), Luca Caldirola (Brescia Calcio), Marco Capuano (Pescara Calcio), Marco Crimi (US Grosseto FC), Giulio Donati (US Grosseto FC), Vasco Regini (Empoli FC).

Midfielders: Andrea Bertolacci (Genoa CFC), Alessandro Florenzi (AS Roma), Lorenzo Insigne (SSC Napoli), Luca Marrone (Juventus), Fausto Rossi (Brescia Calcio), Nicola Sansone (Parma FC), Riccardo Saponara (Empoli FC), Marco Verratti (Paris Saint-Germain FC).

Forwards: Fabio Borini (Liverpool FC), Mattia Destro (AS Roma), Manolo Gabbiadini (Bologna FC), Ciro Immobile (Genoa CFC), Alberto Paloschi (AC Chievo Verona).

Note: The Uefa U-21 European Championship matches are live on Neo Prime and Neo Sports and the telecast starts on June 5(IST)