Monday, June 9

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's European Under-21s Championship clash between Italy Under-21s and Romania Under-21s, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Seeking a record sixth European Under-21s Championship title, Italy Under-21s start their latest attempt to lift the trophy on Wednesday, when they meet Romania Under-21s for their first Group A fixture.

The Azzurrini last won the Euros at this age group back in 2004, while the Tricolorii Mici have yet to claim continental glory but could cause an upset after storming through qualifying.

---

Match preview

Over the next three weeks, Slovakia will host the 25th edition of UEFA's Under-21 Euros, which is played biennially - two years ago, England claimed the crown by beating Spain.

Along with their Spanish counterparts, Italy are the joint-most successful nation in the competition with five titles, but they exited in the group stage last time around and their most recent overall triumph came two decades ago.

En route to this summer's finals, the Azzurrini impressed in qualifying, conceding only four goals as they finished unbeaten in their group, with six wins and four draws.

However, since finishing off with a 1-1 draw against the Republic of Ireland, Carmine Nunziata's young squad have failed to win any of four subsequent friendlies - most recently being held at home by Denmark.

Now, three months on, they reconvene for another tilt at the trophy, kicking off their attempt by meeting Romania in Trnava.

Unbeaten in four games against the Tricolorii Mici, the last time they met competitively at this level was back in March 2001, when an Andrea Pirlo strike split the sides.

Yet, Romania have high hopes of ending that drought on Wednesday, having also finished top of their qualification group - in their case, they registered seven wins from 10 matches.

Appearing at a fourth successive Under-21 finals, they will surely be full of confidence after following that campaign up by beating both Portugal and Georgia in recent friendlies.

Daniel Pancu's side will now vie with Italy, Spain and hosts Slovakia to finish in the top two of a tough group, so getting off to a fast start could prove crucial.

Italy Under-21s form (all competitions): W D D D L D

Romania Under-21s form (all competitions): W W W L W

---

Team News

Two likely starters, Hellas Verona's Brighton-bound defender Diego Coppola and Torino midfielder Cesare Casadei, will be unavailable for Italy's opening game as they remain on duty with Luciano Spalletti's ailing senior side.

Furthermore, qualifying top scorer Francesco Pio Esposito - who scored six goals on the road to Slovakia - suffered a muscular injury in the second leg of the recent Serie B playoff final, as his Spezia side lost to Cremonese. 

In his absence, Giuseppe Ambrosino should start up front, with England-based pair Wilfried Gnonto and Luca Koleosho fighting Roma's Tommaso Baldanzi for selection in the Frosinone forward's supporting cast.

Meanwhile, Romania coach Daniel Pancu has named a largely home-based squad, plus a handful of players plucked from Italy. Most notably, Udinese goalkeeper Razvan Sava started 12 times in Serie A last season.

After scoring five goals in 10 qualifying matches, captain Louis Munteanu has just switched across from the senior squad that is playing two World Cup qualifiers this month, so he should lead the line in attack.

Italy Under-21s possible starting lineup: Desplanches; Zanotti, Pirola, Ghilardi, Ruggeri; Fabbian, Prati, Ndour; Baldanzi; Gnonto, Ambrosino

Romania Under-21s possible starting lineup: Sava; Sirbu, Ignat, M. Ilie, Borza; Mihai, Grameni; R. Ilie, Stoica, Corbu; Munteanu

---

We say: Italy Under-21s 2-1 Romania Under-21s

 

By virtue of having more experience in a top European league, an Italy team featuring some Serie A starlets is set to pip Romania to three points on the opening matchday.

Both sides excelled in qualification and both boast talented attackers, so it could be an entertaining contest for the locals in Trnava.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

---

---

 

ID:574570:1false2false3false: from db desktop :LenBod:collect6561:

Previews by email

---

Collect / Create New Data