Blucerchiati on international duty

Sampdoria have seven players away on international duty this week, involved in European qualifiers, prestigious tournaments and friendlies. Eder and Roberto Soriano played in Italy’s 1-0 win over Malta at the Stadio Artemio Franchi last night. It was a tight match but a crucial result for Antonio Conte’s side, who now sit top of Group H.

David Ivan’s Slovakia Under-21 beat Turkey Under-23s on penalties in the final of the Trophy Challenge.

Edoardo Oneto was a unused substitute, as he watched his Italy Under-20 team-mates go down to 2-0 to their Germany counterparts in the final of the Four Nations tournament in Lucca.

Federico Bonazzoli et al were involved in a goalless draw. The Azzurrini’s match against the Netherlands finished 0-0. The signs from the friendly  remain positive nonetheless.

Pedro Pereira won the bragging rights at the training ground, as his Portugal side beat a Slovakia Under-18s team featuring Denis Baumgartner 3-2 in the Swedish competition in preparation for the European championships.