Overview

• Italy Under-21s begin their European Championship campaign tonight in Trnava against Romania, aiming to reach their first final since 2013.
• Coach Carmine Nunziata has touted his squad’s mental strength after a 10-day training retreat but must adapt without injured top scorer Francesco Pio Esposito.
• Nunziata warned of Romania’s physical, compact style and lethal counterattacks, stressing the need for defensive discipline and focus.
• The senior national team remains without a permanent coach following Italy’s defeat to Norway, with Rino Gattuso now the leading candidate for the role.
• Juventus has secured Randal Kolo Muani and Francisco Conceiçao for the Club World Cup and is pursuing Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres under new director general Damien Comolli.