Italy will hold a double training camp on April 29-30 with young players who could go for the Under-21 or senior squads.

Coaches Roberto Mancini and Gigi Di Biagio will hold a joint Press conference on Monday April 29.

There is expected to be some crossover between the two levels of international football, as Italy are hosting the European Under-21 Championship in June.

This experiment of a joint training camp had already been held on February 4-5, when Mancini called up 32 players on the fringes of the squad.

Ex-Juventus man Claudio Marchisio claims football is too suffocating in Italy. “Gianluigi Buffon told me he would’ve gone abroad a few years earlier…”

Marchisio had been a one-club man with Juventus, barring a loan spell at Empoli, prior to his free transfer to Zenit St Petersburg last year, while Buffon joined Paris Saint-Germain after 17 seasons of service to the Old Lady.

“Buffon was right,” the midfielder told Corriere della Sera.

Antonio Conte outlined the differences he discovered between Italian and English football at Chelsea. “I am satisfied with the experience.”

The tactician sat down with Sky Italia talkshow ‘E poi c’e Cattelan’ to discuss his life in London after the Chelsea dismissal.

“I am still living in London, as we wanted to give our little girl the opportunity to learn English,” explained Conte.

Stefano Fiore turns 44 today, so Hasan Saiyid looks back at the former Udinese and Italy midfielder’s complicated career.

Giampiero Ventura has hailed Roberto Mancini for doing an ‘excellent job’ as Italy CT and believes ‘the prerequisites are there’ for the Azzurri to succeed.

Ventura left Italy’s stock at an all-time low after he failed to lead them into the 2018 World Cup, whereas Mancini has gone on to win both of his opening Euro 2020 qualifiers and blood several youngsters.

“Mancini’s doing an excellent job,” the 71-year-old told Radio Kiss Kiss.

An official statement from Valencia confirmed Italian international Cristiano Piccini was discharged from hospital this morning after “renal trauma.”

The right-back suffered a heavy impact to his right side in Los Ches 3-1 victory over Levante UD last night, was substituted and brought immediately to hospital.

Marcello Lippi believes Milan boss Gennaro Gattuso has proved that ‘he isn’t just grit, he’s done the most that could be done.’

Lippi turned 71 on Friday, and the legendary Juventus and Italy Coach was asked about Gattuso, as well as Max Allegri, Carlo Ancelotti and Azzurri successor Roberto Mancini.

“With the results he’s picked up, there’s no need to defend him,” he told Radio Sportiva.

Today is the 71st birthday of 2006 World Cup-winning CT Marcello Lippi, one of Italy’s greatest Coaches.

Born on April 12 1948 in Viareggio, Lippi began his spent most of his playing career as a centre-back with Sampdoria, captaining the Blucerchiati and making over 200 appearances.

In the summer of 1979 he joined Pistoiese, helping them to win promotion to Serie A, though they went straight back down.

The defender then ended his career in Serie C2 with Lucchese before moving into coaching.

Referee designator Nicola Rizzoli has reportedly been offered a lucrative deal to work in China.

Il Sole 24 Ore writes Rizzoli will earn a $1m (€887,000) salary if he makes the move, although it is not yet clear which role he would take up in China.

The 47-year-old retired from officiating in the summer of 2017 to become Serie A’s designator of referees.