Appiano Gentile - Italy

The international break at Appiano Gentile follows a familiar pattern, as players pack their bags and head off. Some remain in Europe, whilst others are off to South America. Only a handful remain at La Pinetina. And finally, there’s room to park. But every now and then, the opposite happens: the international players arrive all at once. Because this time, it’s Italy who comes to Appiano.

And it’s certainly not the first time.

Spring 1974. Italy, under Ferruccio Valcareggi, are preparing for the World Cup in West Germany. Among the Azzurri are Facchetti, Mazzola, Burgnich and Boninsegna. Four Inter players, four icons of the Nerazzurri’s history. And where is the national team training? You guessed it: at La Pinetina. For the four Inter players, let’s be honest, it’s a pretty convenient call-up. Same roads, same pitches, same dressing rooms. Only the shirt changes. And probably a few instructions from the coach.

The Azzurri first arrive at La Pinetina in April, then return between May and June. Valcareggi has to select his 22-man squad for the World Cup. For some, it’s a welcome reunion. For others, a pretty important test.

January 1987. The head coach is Azeglio Vicini, the opponents are Malta, and the team’s base is once again Appiano. L'Unità runs the headline: “Vicini chooses Ferri and Matteoli”. Zenga, Bergomi and Altobelli are there too. Five Inter players: it’s more of a Nerazzurri training session with a few extra players rather than an Italy training camp. Italy win 5-0. Altobelli scores twice, with Bergomi adding another. Three goals from Inter players: hospitality repaid.

November 2017. Gian Piero Ventura’s Italy prepare at La Pinetina for the second leg of their World Cup play-off against Sweden. Unfortunately, we all know how it ends: a 0-0 draw at San Siro and no place at the 2018 World Cup. A night that’s hard to forget. Even if you wanted to.

October 2021. A very different story. Roberto Mancini’s Italy are European champions and return to Appiano ahead of their Nations League semi-final against Spain. For Bastoni and Barella, it’s a very short trip: they just have to turn up at their usual time.

March 2025. This time it’s Luciano Spalletti who chooses La Pinetina to prepare for the clash with Germany.

And now, November 2026. Mancini is back in charge of the Azzurri and back in Appiano, a place he knows well. After facing France at San Siro, Italy will prepare here for their meeting with Belgium.

Valcareggi, Vicini, Ventura, Spalletti, Mancini. Different generations, but always the same tree-lined road.

A place where the talk is usually all about Inter, but every now and then, the colours change. Not too much, thankfully.