From Uruguay to Poland. Less than a month after the U20 World Cup final in Argentina, another decisive match is on the horizon for Francesco Pio Esposito, Giacomo Faticanti and Niccolò Pisilli. At 18:00 CEST on Sunday, Italy will play for a semi-final place at the European Under-19 Championship in Malta. Standing in the Azzurrini’s way are Poland, who Alberto Bollini’s side already met during the qualification process before the finals. Indeed, in September, Italy ran out 1-0 winners in Gdynia through a Vignato penalty, thanks to which they progressed to the Elite Round by virtue of being the best third-place side.

Four players who were part of the U20 World Cup squad are currently in Malta, but Luca Lipani, who was sent off against Portugal, won’t be at Bollini’s disposal. However, Roma player Pisilli will be available: “We initially did well against Portugal,” he said. “Certain incidents affected the match, but we needed to stay in the game. Against Poland, we’ll need to display sacrifice and a ruthless streak; then, it’ll be about our individual quality making the difference.” Pisilli will be up against Jordan Majchrzak, his Roma teammate and one of the Poles played in the Primavera division in Italy last season. This also applies to Verona defender Wiktor Matyjewicz (who, however, is out through suspension following his red card against Malta), SPAL man Dawid Bugaj, Bologna midfielder Kacper Urbanski and Parma attacker Mateusz Kowalski.

Having scored more goals across the first two group games (five compared to Poland’s two), Italy would progress with a draw (in which case they would then likely meet Spain, who sit on maximum points in Group B). After conceding five goals against Portugal, the Azzurrini are looking to make amends, including goalkeeper Davide Mastrantonio: “I remember the qualifying round match well,” said the shot-stopper, who played for Triestina in 2022/23. “Poland are a really good team and it’ll be difficult to beat them, but we really want to make it through. We can’t wait to get back out on the pitch after the defeat to Portugal.”

Group A fixtures and standings

Monday 3 July
Poland 0-2 Portugal
Malta 0-4 ITALY

Thursday 6 July
Portugal 5-1 ITALY
Malta 0-2 Poland
Standings: Portugal 6, ITALY and Poland 3, Malta 0

Sunday 9 July
ITALY vs. Poland, 18:00 CEST, National Stadium, Ta'Qali
Portugal vs. Malta, 18:00 CEST, Gozo Stadium, Xewkija

Squad list

Goalkeepers: Davide Mastrantonio (Triestina), Lorenzo Palmisani (Frosinone);
Defenders: Andrea Bozzolan (Milan), Fabio Christian Chiarodia (Borussia M.), Alessandro Dellavalle (Torino), Lorenzo Dellavalle (Juventus), Michael Olabode Kayode (Fiorentina), Filippo Missori (Sassuolo), Iacopo Regonesi (Atalanta);
Midfielders: Lorenzo Amatucci (Fiorentina), Giacomo Faticanti (Roma), Luca Lipani (Genoa), Cher Ndour (Benfica), Niccolò Pisilli (Roma);
Forwards: Luca D'Andrea (Sassuolo), Francesco Pio Esposito (Inter), Luis Hasa (Juventus), Luca Warrick Daeovie Koleosho (Espanyol), Nicolò Turco (Juventus), Samuele Vignato (Monza)

Staff – Head Coach: Alberto Bollini; National Youth Team Coordinator: Maurizio Viscidi; Delegation Head: Evaristo Beccalossi; Assistant Coach: Enrico Battisti; Goalkeeping Coach: Davide Quironi; Fitness Coach: Marco Montini; Match Analyst: Francesco Donzella; Doctors: Paolo Manetti and Andrea Redler; Nutritionist: Micol Purrotti; Physiotherapists: Giuliano Gepponi and Angelo Cartocci; Press Officer: Giuseppe Ingrati; Administration: Andrea Ottaviani; Secretary: Luca Gatto