Nicolato enjoying Azzurrini striking riches

Italy Under-21 boss Paolo Nicolato has confessed that he is enjoying the riches he has at his disposal in attack.

Patrick Cutrone, Andrea Pinamonti and Moise Kean commanded a combined transfer fee of over €50m in the summer, while Gianluca Scamacca has hit the ground running for Ascoli this season.

“I expect it to be a complicated match against a side doing very well,” Nicolato said at a Press conference for Thursday’s European U21 qualifier with Republic of Ireland.

“They have high-quality players who are making a good impression in the Premier League too. It’s a great test to see where we’re at after just starting out.

“Meanwhile, they’ve been working together for six months. Ireland’s Under-19 side did well at the last European Championship [reaching the semi-finals], while this year their senior side and Under-21s are also performing excellently.”

Indeed, the Irish have won both of their opening qualifiers for the Finals in 2021.

“They play a modern style of football, football which is played on the ground and involves interplay between high-quality players.

“We’ll try to impose our game on the match. This needs to be an obligation for us. If there’s one thing I’m not worried about, it’s our attacking options. This team have many quality players.

“Of course, not everyone can play at the same time and someone will have to be sacrificed, but I know whoever I send out on to the pitch will make a contribution to the team.

“I hope that many will make the step up because that would mean that we have done a good job. We are one big family and our name is Italy.

“It’s clear that it’s more tiring for those who have fewer minutes under their belt. The fact that our boys have had a good amount of minutes so far gives us a bigger chance of winning something.”