Catch up with class of 2003
Saturday, 17 July 2004
By Andrew Haslam in Nottwil
Although Italy's UEFA European Under-19 Championship finals campaign has been somewhat underwhelming to date, with Paolo Berettini's side having collected one point from their first two Group A games, there is some consolation in that a number of Berettini's 18-man party look set to follow in the footsteps of last year's trophy-winning squad and make their mark in Italian league football.
Four for the future
Of the side who defeated Portugal 2-0 in the final in Liechtenstein a year ago, Berettini singled out four for special praise, and all were Serie B regulars in 2003/04. Striker Giampaolo Pazzini – who scored the semi-final winner against the Czech Republic and Italy's second goal in the final – made the biggest impact, scoring nine times in 40 league appearances to help Atalanta BC clinch fifth place in the second division and a top-flight berth.
Loan spell
AS Roma playmaker Alberto Aquilani was another whom Berettini pinpointed as a rising star, and he spent the 2003/04 campaign on loan at US Triestina Calcio, contributing four goals in 41 league appearances as Triestina finished in a respectable tenth place.
Defensive solidity
The two other players that Berrettini earmarked for the future, Andrea Mantovani and Damiano Ferronetti, both spent last season with Aquilani at Triestina. Mantovani, who joined from Torino Calcio, started 32 league games and appeared as a substitute in seven more, while defensive colleague Ferronetti also spent the season on loan from Roma and made 29 starts.
Chiellini contribution
Several other members of Italy's 2003 squad took the opportunity to establish themselves in their respective first teams last season, with midfield player Giorgio Chiellini scoring four times in 37 matches for AS Livorno.
Cup final
Chiellini's fellow midfield player Simone Padoin made 16 starts for Vicenza Calcio, while Alessandro Potenza joined Parma AC on loan from FC Internazionale in January and played 13 times. Forward Raffaele Palladino appeared only once for Juventus FC, as a substitute in the final of the Coppa Italia, which they lost.
Magic Montolivo
At the start of these finals, Berettini stated that the hopes of his squad would depend to a great extent on the performances of a number of individual players. "Our key players will be [Antonio] Nocerino, [Riccardo] Montolivo - the star of the Atalanta side that won promotion last season and the brightest prospect in Italian football - [Daniele] Galloppa, [Michele] Canini and goalkeeper [Emiliano] Viviano," the Italy coach told uefa.com.
Second division games
Montolivo and Nocerino are the most experienced of this group. The former started 21 league games last season, and made 20 more appearances as a substitute, scoring four goals in the process as Atalanta returned to Serie A. Meanwhile, Nocerino, a combative midfield player, was booked 12 times and sent off once in his 33 appearances for US Avellino.
European experience
"In addition, Tonino Sorrentino played for Parma [AC] in the UEFA Cup in 2003/04 and scored twice [in the second round against SV Austria Salzburg], while Andrea Alberti was among the replacements at Brescia [Calcio] last season," Berettini continued. "Like all the others, these players grew up together with the national side and have international experience."
Bright prospects
Although Italy have reason to feel disappointed with their results from the first two games, the way forward for the squad appears to be clear. If they can follow the lead of the class of 2003 and take their first steps towards solid professional careers, their experience in Switzerland is sure to stand them in good stead.
___________________________
uefa.com
Montolivo and Padoin might be ones to watch,this time in real life
Saturday, 17 July 2004
By Andrew Haslam in Nottwil
Although Italy's UEFA European Under-19 Championship finals campaign has been somewhat underwhelming to date, with Paolo Berettini's side having collected one point from their first two Group A games, there is some consolation in that a number of Berettini's 18-man party look set to follow in the footsteps of last year's trophy-winning squad and make their mark in Italian league football.
Four for the future
Of the side who defeated Portugal 2-0 in the final in Liechtenstein a year ago, Berettini singled out four for special praise, and all were Serie B regulars in 2003/04. Striker Giampaolo Pazzini – who scored the semi-final winner against the Czech Republic and Italy's second goal in the final – made the biggest impact, scoring nine times in 40 league appearances to help Atalanta BC clinch fifth place in the second division and a top-flight berth.
Loan spell
AS Roma playmaker Alberto Aquilani was another whom Berettini pinpointed as a rising star, and he spent the 2003/04 campaign on loan at US Triestina Calcio, contributing four goals in 41 league appearances as Triestina finished in a respectable tenth place.
Defensive solidity
The two other players that Berrettini earmarked for the future, Andrea Mantovani and Damiano Ferronetti, both spent last season with Aquilani at Triestina. Mantovani, who joined from Torino Calcio, started 32 league games and appeared as a substitute in seven more, while defensive colleague Ferronetti also spent the season on loan from Roma and made 29 starts.
Chiellini contribution
Several other members of Italy's 2003 squad took the opportunity to establish themselves in their respective first teams last season, with midfield player Giorgio Chiellini scoring four times in 37 matches for AS Livorno.
Cup final
Chiellini's fellow midfield player Simone Padoin made 16 starts for Vicenza Calcio, while Alessandro Potenza joined Parma AC on loan from FC Internazionale in January and played 13 times. Forward Raffaele Palladino appeared only once for Juventus FC, as a substitute in the final of the Coppa Italia, which they lost.
Magic Montolivo
At the start of these finals, Berettini stated that the hopes of his squad would depend to a great extent on the performances of a number of individual players. "Our key players will be [Antonio] Nocerino, [Riccardo] Montolivo - the star of the Atalanta side that won promotion last season and the brightest prospect in Italian football - [Daniele] Galloppa, [Michele] Canini and goalkeeper [Emiliano] Viviano," the Italy coach told uefa.com.
Second division games
Montolivo and Nocerino are the most experienced of this group. The former started 21 league games last season, and made 20 more appearances as a substitute, scoring four goals in the process as Atalanta returned to Serie A. Meanwhile, Nocerino, a combative midfield player, was booked 12 times and sent off once in his 33 appearances for US Avellino.
European experience
"In addition, Tonino Sorrentino played for Parma [AC] in the UEFA Cup in 2003/04 and scored twice [in the second round against SV Austria Salzburg], while Andrea Alberti was among the replacements at Brescia [Calcio] last season," Berettini continued. "Like all the others, these players grew up together with the national side and have international experience."
Bright prospects
Although Italy have reason to feel disappointed with their results from the first two games, the way forward for the squad appears to be clear. If they can follow the lead of the class of 2003 and take their first steps towards solid professional careers, their experience in Switzerland is sure to stand them in good stead.
___________________________
uefa.com
Montolivo and Padoin might be ones to watch,this time in real life
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