Italy eager to impress

By Paolo Menicucci

A notable absentee from the FIFA World Youth Championship ever since reaching the quarter-finals in 1987, Italy are struggling for form as they seek to make an impact at this year's tournament in the Netherlands.

Search for form
As part of their preparations, Italy played the Four Nations tournament between February and April. But the Azzurrini, coached by Paolo Berrettini, failed to impress, losing to fellow World Championship qualifiers Germany and Switzerland and drawing against Austria.

Stiff opposition
Berrettini, who led his country to victory in the UEFA European Under-19 Championship in 2003, will hope for an improvement in the Netherlands, where Italy have been drawn in Group E with Canada, Syria and first opponents Colombia. His charges performed better in a friendly against Russia in March, winning 2-0.

Experienced coach
The 57-year-old coach, who has held various posts within the Italian Football Federation over the past decade, has worked with the youth teams since 1999. He has taken charge of a number of age groups ranging from U16-U20 before his success in Liechtenstein with the U19s. Berrettini also guided the side to the European U19 Championship last July but this time the Italians were unable to progress beyond the group stage - though they did enough to secure a berth in the Netherlands.

Rising stars
Of the current crop of players, Francesco Nieto, who is with Piacenza FC and appeared twice in Serie B this season, and Graziano Pellè, who played 15 games in the same division while on loan at Catania Calcio from US Lecce, have both scored in Italy's warm-up matches. Another Lecce forward, Giuseppe Cozzolino, is yet to make his Serie A debut but hit seven goals in two Serie C1 campaigns with Giulianova Calcio before moving to the Stadio Via del Mare. Fellow frontman Mario Defendi, a product of Atalanta BC's youth system, took his bow in Serie A this season.

De Martino impact
A key man in midfield is Raffaele De Martino, who left AS Roma for Swiss club AC Bellinzona in the January transfer window but has reportedly attracted the interest of several top European sides. Parma FC goalkeeper Fabio Virgili and AC Milan defender Lino Marzorati are other important figures, while midfielder Daniele Galloppa has improved and gained experience after playing 24 Serie B games while on loan at US Triestina Calcio from Roma.

Defensive linchpin
The defence is led by captain Michele Carini, a star performer for Serie C1 high-fliers SSC Sambenedettese, alongside Empoli FC defender Andrea Coda, who appeared 40 times to help his team to promotion to Serie A and is rumoured to be close to joining Italian champions Juventus FC. He and his team-mates will strive to make the most of another chance to impress in the Netherlands.