Favo's U19 debuts in Ancona: Lontani joins after senior national team stint
The young Italians begin the European qualifier Round 2 in the Marche region, where their coach previously played and managed. Among the squad's new additions is Parma's midfielder, fresh from two days at Coverciano with the senior national team.
The Under 19 national team's international campaign gets underway in the Marche region, a territory with special significance for coach Massimiliano Favo. The manager spent formative years there, both as an Ancona player between 1998 and 2002 and as the club's coach from 2011 to 2013. At the Del Conero stadium, where Favo spent considerable time, the coach now reconnects with his past: "I was pleased with the choice to play these matches in the Marche. We'll do it here, at my home, with significant attention on the Italian shirt and these young players. The stadium already stirred emotions in me, and I'll have my wife and nephews behind me."
Among Favo's selections for this campaign is Simone Lontani, Parma's midfielder, who arrives directly from Coverciano after two days with Roberto Mancini's senior squad. Alongside him is Samuel Wiafe, already fielded by De Rossi in Serie A. This generation claimed bronze at the U17 World Cup in Qatar a year ago and continues its international journey through continental qualifiers.
The debut is scheduled for Wednesday at Del Conero against Romania, with kickoff at 15:30. Subsequent matches follow against Ukraine in Fano on Saturday, November 14, and Israel in Fermo on Tuesday, November 17. Three victories will secure Italy's passage to the decisive phase in March.