After being held to a 1-1 draw by the Czech Republic in their opening European Championship match, the Under-21 National Team have a vital match against Sapin coming up in Maribor tomorrow, with kick-off scheduled for 21:00 CET. Paolo Nicolato will be without Tonali (three matches), Marchizza and Gabbia (one match each), all of whom are suspended for the clash.

Italy will thus be short on numbers against the Spaniards, who ran out 3-0 winners in their opening group match against Slovenia. Tomorrow’s clash pits together the most successful Under-21 sides in Europe, with both having won the Euros on five occasions. It’s a decisive showdown as the Azzurrini look to progress to the quarter-final stage: Spain currently lead the group with three points, followed by Italy and the Czech Republic (one point each) and then Slovenia (zero).

“We’ve watched so many of Spain’s matches,” Nicolato explained at his press conference on the eve of the game, “We know that a really tough test awaits us tomorrow, and I hope that we can approach it in a relaxed state of mind. My team mustn’t be afraid of anyone: if we aren’t as good as them, then all credit to the opposition, but I want an Italy side that shows its qualities without worrying about anything.”

The message is clear. “We will need to have patience and mental robustness to counter their very efficient possession game, but we will have to try and tire them out when we have the ball,” the Head Coach concluded. “Spain have made it to four of the last five finals in this tournament and have won three of those: it’s in our interests to face them without fear, otherwise we won’t be going anywhere.”

Calendar, results and Group B standings 

First Matchday (24 March)
Czech Republic 1-1 ITALY
Slovenia 0-3 Spain
Standings: Spain 3 points, ITALY and the Czech Republic 1, Slovenia 0

Second Matchday (27 March)
18:00 Slovenia vs. Czech Republic
21:00 ITALY vs. Spain

Third Matchday (30 March)
21:00 Spain vs. Czech Republic
21:00 ITALY vs. Slovenia

Schedule

Friday 26 March
11:00 CET – Training at the Ob Jezeru City Stadium, Slovenia (first 15 minutes open to the press)
14:00 CET – Press conference via Zoom (Nicolato + one player)
19:00 CET – Team walkaround at the stadium

Saturday 27 March
19:00 CET - Technical meeting and subsequent departure for the stadium (Maribor)
21:00 CET - SPAIN VS. ITALY. Post-match press conference via Zoom (Nicolato + two players) and return to hotel

Sunday 28 March
10.45 CEST – Video analysis followed by training (no press access)
14:00 CEST – Press conference at the Grand Hotel Primus
16:00 CEST – Technical meeting

Monday 29 March
11:00 CEST – Training at the Ob Jezeru City Stadium (first 15 minutes open to the press
14:00 CEST – Press conference via Zoom (Nicolato + one player)
16:00 CEST – Technical meeting
19:00 CEST – Team walkaround at the stadium

Tuesday 30 March
19:00 CEST – Technical meeting and subsequent departure for the stadium (Maribor) 21:00 CEST – ITALY VS. SLOVENIA. Post-match press conference via Zoom (Nicolato + two players) and return to hotel  

Wednesday 31 March
Chartered flight from Maribor to Milan Malpensa Airport and then another chartered flight from Milan Malpensa Airport to Fiumicino

Group stage

Group A: Hungary, Germany, Romania, Netherlands
Group B: Slovenia, Spain, Czech Republic, ITALY
Group C: Russia, Iceland, France, Denmark
Group D: Portugal, Croatia, England, Switzerland

The Azzurrini’s fixtures
24 March: Czech Republic vs. ITALY (18:00 CET Celje)

27 March: Spain vs. ITALY (21:00 CET, Maribor)

30 March: ITALY vs. Slovenia (21:00 CEST, Maribor)