The match with Ukraine is the last remaining game, tomorrow at the Artemio Franchi in Siena (live on Rai Sport HD from 14:50 CEST), which will guarantee passage to the Under 17 European Championship finals, which are in Israel from 16 May to 1 June. It looks set to be a game that will be approached with an air of compassion due to the tragic events in Ukraine at the moment but the game will hopefully claw back a sense of normality and fair competition, for at least 90 minutes. The Ukrainians, despite the difficulty they endured in getting to Italy, performed on the pitch, displaying their technical ability and physical strength. Their opportunity was realised and facilitated by UEFA and the FIGC’s support. Their victory in the first match over Kosovo (2-0) and then defeat two days ago against Poland in a match where they couldn’t quite hold on, as they kept the result in the balance right to the last whistle (3-2).

Italy are coming into this off the back of two narrow victories against both Poland and Kosovo (both ending 1-0). They currently sit first in the standings, on 6 points and there will be two possible results tomorrow that will allow them to finish first in the group and start their preparations for Israel. (Poland v Kosovo will be played in Colle Val d'Elsa, once again at 15:00 CEST). Finishing top of the tree would guarantee the Azzurrini direct progression to Group A of the European Championships, where they would join the hosts, Israel, Germany and Luxembourg; a second-place finish. Should they fall to defeat against Ukraine, there would be an element of mathematical uncertainty, which could see them go straight into Group B, which would appear to be more difficult on paper, as they would join France, the Netherlands (the reigning champions) and Bulgaria. However, Azzurro coach, Bernardo Corradi has approached these games with a clear intent: "We are here to win all three games and finish top of the group." Filippo Mane, Italian centre-back added: "Tomorrow, we will need to be physically resilient and show commitment and focus: Ukraine need to win to keep their dreams alive."

Filippo Mane was born in Magenta 17 years ago to Antoine, a Senegalese father, and Silvia. He has dual citizenship, although doesn’t speak Senegalese, but he has a deep affiliation with his roots on that side of his family: "I love Senegal” says the Azzurrino boisterously “and I can’t wait to get to Dakar, to embrace my uncles and cousins ​​again. Although I don't speak their language, my uncle translates from French so that I can speak to everyone." A big lad, already 188 cm tall, plays centre defence for his national team. Filippo goes to school in a nearby town to Milan and simultaneously plays for Velamesero football school, as a result of his grandfather, Marino’s, influence. After 4 years, he moved to Novara after being scouted in a youth tournament, and then, when he was fourteen, he signed for Sampdoria, where he played in his first youth championships. His first Azzurro call-up was with Patrizia Panico's Under-15 side in 2019, for a friendly match against the same age group from Fiorentina. Then, after the interruption of the national youth programme as a result of the pandemic, he made his Under-17 debut for Corradi against Switzerland. Since then, he has been the first name on the teamsheet and featured heavily in the Duisburg International Tournament (against Belgium, Germany and Israel) and in the first qualifying phase of this European Championship. He impressed so much, that Borussia Dortmund swooped in to seal his signature from Sampdoria: “It’s a great experience, both on a football and personal level. I’ve acclimatised to being away from home from a young age and I feel truly valued here, in Germany. I am continuing my studies at the Liceo Scientifico Sportivo; with the support of my tutor, I am picking up German and trying to overcome the language barrier; with staff and friends though, I prefer to speak in English." He is also helped by friend and teammate, Dortmund's Vincenzo Onofrietti, who is in Siena at the moment for their qualifying campaign (alongside Werder Bremen’s Fabio Chiarodia, they are the small collective of three 'Germans' on show with their national teams). There is always a 'plan B': "If my career as a footballer goes to plan, I will progress to the University of Sports Sciences; otherwise, I am fascinated by the world of marketing and would be interested in studying the subject"

Whilst playing in the first match of the tournament against Poland, he looks back on his spell on the pitch with pride: "The anthem, the national colours, I am Azzurro at heart. At the beginning, I was really excited but then I controlled my emotions and am delighted to have won (1-0) alongside my teammates." He missed the second match against Kosovo, as he recovered from a minor injury; tomorrow, for the final game against Ukraine, he hopes to start, in a game with significance beyond football: "This is a great opportunity for us to progress and play in a European Championship, the first big opportunity to showcase our skills and try to win for Italy, but, unfortunately, this isn’t just any game: I have a great deal of compassion for what my Ukrainian counterparts are going through at this moment in time. I hope that we are in some way helping them to experience some normality; I truly hope that this war can end as soon as possible."

Calendar and standings

Wednesday 20 April

Italy 1-0 Poland

Kosovo 0-2 Ukraine

Saturday 23 April

Ukraine 2-3 Poland

Italy 1-0 Kosovo

Standings. Italy 6 pts, Poland and Ukraine 3, Kosovo 0

Tuesday 26 April

Ukraine v Italy, Stadio Artemio Franchi di Siena, at 15:00 CEST (live on Rai Sport HD, channel 58 of terrestrial TV, starting at 14:50 CEST)

Poland v Kosovo, Stadio Comunale Gino Manni di Colle di Val D’Elsa, at 15:00 CEST