Preview: Switzerland Under-21s vs. Italy Under-21s - prediction, team news, lineups

Italy Under-21s head into Sunday's Group C fixture with Switzerland Under-21s knowing that they can ill-afford to suffer defeat in Cluj-Napoca.

On the same day that Italy went down 2-1 to France, Switzerland came from behind to earn a potentially-decisive victory over Norway by the same scoreline.

Match preview

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Although Italy's form over the past 12 months has not necessarily been anything to shout about, they would have been confident of earning at least a share of the spoils versus a quality French outfit.

The game was locked at 1-1 at the break - Pietro Pellegri cancelling out Arnaud Kalimuendo's opener - before Bradley Barcola scored the winner for France in the second half.

Paolo Nicolato and his side had reason to feel aggrieved, however, having failed to be awarded a goal when Raoul Bellanova's header appeared to go over the line and was seemingly cleared by the hand of a defender on the line.

With no VAR in place for the tournament, Gli Azzurrini missed out on an equaliser which could define their tournament, and it leaves them requiring maximum points from their next two games to guarantee a place in the last eight.

Italy will also hope that Sandro Tonali is free of any distractions with the AC Milan on the brink of signing for Newcastle United in a big-money transfer.

Like their next opponents, Switzerland headed into this tournament in mixed form, with a two-game losing streak being followed by a hard-fought victory over Israel.

Nevertheless, Switzerland delivered when it mattered on Thursday night, coming from behind to register a 2-1 success over Norway to give them every chance of progression.

Goals from Dan Ndoye and Kastriot Imeri ensures that Switzerland have now netted in seven matches in succession ahead of a fixture where they know a win will realistically lead to the last eight.

However, this crop of players are yet to beat one of the bigger nations in Europe, their last notable win in that bracket coming versus England in March 2021.

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Barring any injury issues, Patrick Rahmen may opt against tinkering with his Switzerland side, who rallied to put themselves ahead before the first substitution versus Norway.

That said, an attacking 4-2-2-2 formation was used last time out, and there is scope for Matteo Di Guisto or Darien Males being used as a third midfielder and one of the forwards dropping out.

While Nicolato will make alterations to his Italy side, it remains to be seen whether he is prepared to move away from a 3-5-2 formation to accommodate winger Wilfried Gnonto.

The Leeds United winger and Matteo Cancellieri could theoretically be used in the final third, with Nicolo Cambiaghi and one of Nicolo Rovella or Samuele Ricci dropping out.

Fabio Miretti is also an option to be drafted into the midfield if Nicolato opts to stick with three players in the centre.

Switzerland Under-21s possible starting lineup:

Saipi; Blum, Burch, Stergiou, Omeragic; Jashari, Sohm; Ndoye, Imeri; Rieder, Stojilkovic

Italy Under-21s possible starting lineup:

Carnesecchi; Pirola, Okoli, Scalvini; Bellanova, Tonali, Ricci, Udogie; Cancellieri, Pellegri, Gnonto

We say: Switzerland Under-21s 1-3 Italy Under-21s

On the back of their triumph over Norway, Switzerland's confidence will be up, yet they will be torn with going out all for the win when a draw may prove to be sufficient. The indecision may let in their opponents, who we feel will show a ruthless streak in the final third.

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