Paolo De Ceglie
Alongside Spain, Italy are amongst the favourites to win the upcoming Under-21 European Championships. Whilst we all know about Mario Balotelli and Sebastian Giovinco, here is a guide to five of their less well-known players.
Andrea Consigli
Position: Goalkeeper
Birth date: 27.01.1987
Height/Weight: 1.89m / 80kg
Club: Atalanta Bergamo
Andrea Consigli is considered to be one of the most talented young goalkeepers in Italy today. Consigli has lots of talent; very sharp reflexes, good aerial ability and he is brave and excellent when dealing with one on one situations. He is talented but he still needs to improve his skills and to get stronger physically in order to truly command the sixteen yard box at the highest levels.
Salvatore Bocchetti
Position: Central Defender, Left Defender
Birth date: 30.11.1986
Height/Weight: 1.78m / 70kg
Club: Genoa CFC
Salvatore Bocchetti is an extremely talented young defender. Bocchetti has become well known all over Italy for his strong tackling and no-nonsense style of defending but he also possesses a cultured left foot and lung bursting energy which enables him to perform as a marauding left back as well as his favored role as a centre back. Although he is not a tall defender he has a very good aerial ability, and has been compared in Italy to Fabio Cannavaro in that he compensates for his lack of height with excellent timing and a spectacular leap. He is a very promising young defender, who is considered to be one of Italy's hottest prospects for the future.
Luca Cigarini
Position: Central midfielder, Attacking midfielder (central)
Birth date: 20.06.1986
Height/Weight: 1.75m / 72kg
Club: S.S.C Napoli
Luca Cigarini is known as one of the best young midfielders in Italy of his generation, a true playmaker who likes to orchestrate the play from the middle of the pitch. Cigarini has excellent technical skills, great positioning and movement on the pitch makes him a great playmaker. Cigarini also has a lethal shot from distance and he is comfortable with both feet and he is also usually the penalty taker for his club. His style of play is often compared to that of Andrea Pirlo.
Paolo De Ceglie
Position: Left defender, Left midfielder
Birth date: 17.09.1986
Height/Weight: 1.84m / 75kg
Club: Juventus FC
Paolo De Ceglie is one of the best young talents in Italy today. He is a left back who can also play well as a left midfielder, almost as is its his natural position. De Ceglie has excellent technical skills, he is strong and well built, very fast with great pace and has very good passing and crossing skills with his excellent left foot. He was in the Italian squad at the Olympics Games in China 2008.
Claudio Marchisio
Position: Central midfielder, Attacking midfielder (central)
Birth date: 19.01.1986
Height/Weight: 1.79m / 66kg
Club: Juventus FC
Marchisio is an excellent midfielder who has been playing for Juventus since the age of seven. He has great technical skills, excellent passing and great vision of the field, a true playmaker. Marchisio is often compared to the former Juventus midfielder Marco Tardelli.