From Pisa to the U21s, Barbieri: “It’s a dream to wear the blue uniform. Juventus? I think about the present”

It’s from Tommaso Barbieri this is a new name only on the national team call list Up to 21 years old, which in Romagna is preparing a double qualifier for the 2025 European Championship against San Marino (Thursday, 18:30 in Serravalle) and Ireland (Tuesday 21st in Cork, same kick-off time). Many have known Barbieri for several years, ever since Simone Banchieri allowed him to make his professional debut at the age of 17 in a club shirt. Novaraplayed in Serie C, but played friendly matches against Milan and Juventusand the latter later became his team (with which he made his debut in Serie A and the Champions League) not only because Tommaso made a great impression that day.

He also knew Barbieri Carmine Nunziata, who called him up in 2019 for the Under-17 World Cup in Brazil (when the hosts eliminated the Azzurrini in the quarter-finals) and whom he remembered for that double commitment with the Under-21s. “For me it’s a dream to be here to represent Italy,” admits the defender Pisa -. I will do my best to help my teammates and that is a goal I try to achieve every day with my club.” Alberto Aquilani: “An excellent coach who pays a lot of attention to possession. Nunziata, on the other hand, pays a lot of attention to developing his attacking game. But my task on the field remains the same.”

The long journey of Barbieri, born in Magenta (Milan), raised in Gambolo (Pavia), and passing through Vigevano and Sparta Novara before arriving in Novara and now in Pisa, on loan from Juventus, after three seasons in Next Gen. : “Obviously I’m thinking about Juventus and getting to that club is a dream, but more than the future, I want to focus on the present. Of course, playing with the big boys right away helped me.”

However, apart from starting as a child a few meters in front, his role has never changed – that of a low right winger: “I obviously play where the coach wants me to, I can also do it on the left, maybe missing a few awnings”. (laughs, ed.), but they are obviously at the disposal of the coaches. Defenders are important in both the defensive and attacking phase: Nunziata forces us to cross a lot. My starting point? At the moment Joao Cancelo, even if it is difficult to reach his level.”