The stadium lights glared bright against the early evening sky as the broadcast feed from Rai Sport flickered onto screens across Italy.
The camera panned over the pitch at Stadio Tre Fontane, gliding across the 4000+ capacity stands packed with waving flags and the hum of anticipation.
A graphic slid onto the screen, Italy U21 Starting XI, Formation: 3-5-2—as each player's name and position appeared in clean white text over clips of them stepping onto the pitch.
Starting in goal was Caprile with Pirola, Viti, and Scalvini forming the back three while Bellanova stayed wide right and Udogie on the left; Rovella, Fagioli, and Vignato patrolling midfield; and up front was Carlo Regutti and Colombo, both looking sharp and focused.
"Buonasera a tutti," the lead commentator began with a bubbly tone.
