The Azzurri completed their first training session in Coverciano on Monday (23/3). Coverciano, also known as Casa Italia, located in Florence, is the central training ground and technical headquarters of the FIGC, the Italian Football Association.

Facilities in Coverciano include four football pitches, multipurpose gym, swimming pool and two tennis courts. It is the primary training ground for all Italy national football teams from the U-15 age group and above. In addition, there is also library, hotel, conference hall and restaurant located on site.

Antonio Conte’s squad are preparing for their Euro 2016 qualifier on 28th March and for their friendly match against England in 31st March at the ‘Juventus Stadium’ in Turin. The Napoli forward, ManoloGabbiadini also trained with the squad in spite of sustaining a light injury during a game with Atalanta. “Gabbiani was subbed off after feeling a twinge in his left adductor muscle,” said head of medical Enrico Castellacci. Furthermore Castellaci ensured that Gabbiani will remain with the team for the time being and medical team will monitor his condition over the next few days.

Another interesting news about Azzurri’s training in Coverciano was Fiorentina striker Giuseppe Rossi visited the team during the session but did not speak to reporters. The 28-year-old striker was an Italy regular, but his long moments of injuries have so far prevented him from playing in a European Championships or a World Cup. As Azzurri squad trained on Saturday (21/3), Rossi was seen slipping a visit to the training grounds.

Furthermore, some media started to speculate that the striker have consorted with the technical staff of the national team, with a view to discuss the possibility to return to the pitch as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, Azzurri has to deal with the fact that they are not going to have Claudio Marchisio for Italy’s Euro 2016 qualifier with Bundesliga with a potentially long-term injury that he sustained during their training at Coverciano. Concerning the cruciate ligament injury, Azzurri doctors fearing that the midfielder could be facing a long spell on the sidelines.

The condition would be a major blow for the Bianconeri, who will already be without Paul Pogba for next month’s Champions League Quarter Final against Monaco.

There has been no further explanation or confirmation as yet to the nature and the extent of the injury, and Juventus will be hoping that the blow is not as bad as the reports in the media are suggesting.