Under-21: double away trip in the Balkans kicks off today for the young Titani

A new international window begins for San Marino’s Under-21s. The national side coached by Head Coach Matteo Cecchetti set off today for Tirana, where tomorrow at 17:00 they will face hosts Albania in a friendly at the Air Albania Stadium – a recently built venue which also staged the 2022 UEFA Europa Conference League final between Roma and Feyenoord. Afterwards, the Biancoazzurri will move on to Pristina, capital of Kosovo, for a new European Championship qualifying fixture in their age category, scheduled for Tuesday at 18:00.

“We’re back on the pitch a month after the games with Finland and Romania,” explains Head Coach Cecchetti. “I’ve found a team in good shape, with the lads highly motivated for this new challenge. Unfortunately, we’ve had two last-minute withdrawals due to injuries to Riggioni and Montali. This means that some of the boys will need to adapt to different roles. Tomorrow’s friendly with Albania will be important for us to regain the tempo of international football and then make the most of it in Tuesday’s match with Kosovo.”

The Head Coach then turns his attention to tomorrow’s opponents: “Albania are an excellent side, who are building towards the final tournament of the European Championship, which they will play at home and for which they are already automatically qualified. They have changed formation over the past two years: they now play with a back three like we do, and I expect a match full of individual battles.”

These are the 23 players called up by Head Coach Matteo Cecchetti for the double away trip: