As was the case in the reverse fixture, Sweden and Italy U21s played out a 1-1 draw this evening. It means that Paolo Nicolato’s side sit top of Group F on 21 points, two ahead of the Republic of Ireland and three in front of Sweden, who are now out of contention to qualify for the Euro U21 finals. For Italy, direct qualification will come down to their final group game against the Irish in Ascoli Piceno on Tuesday, with the Azzurrini only needing a draw to progress to next summer’s tournament.

The 18th meeting between Italy and the Swedes was another exciting encounter, as has been the case on all the other occasions they’ve faced each other. The hosts took a ninth-minute lead through Gustafsson in Helsingborg, but the Azzurrini responded through Nicolò Rovella’s penalty in the 58th minute.

Although they managed to grab an equaliser, Nicolato’s team will perhaps feel frustrated at the outcome given how many chances they created. After the win over Luxembourg and today’s stalemate, all that’s left to do is avoid defeat to the Republic of Ireland to cap off a journey that has seen the group overcome difficulties with character and heart and display excellent technical quality in the process. 

THE MATCH – With several players missing, Nicolato was forced into making changes and altering the formation: for the first time in the past two years, the Head Coach sent his team out in a 3-5-2 formation. Due to Carnesecchi’s shoulder injury, Plizzari, who made his U21 debut in September 2019 against Luxembourg, started in goal. Okoli, Lovato and Pirola were selected in defence, while Cambiaso, Bove (who made his debut on Monday), captain Ricci, Rovella and Parisi lined up in midfield. Pellegri and Cambiaghi were the two players up top.

Sweden aren’t Luxembourg, and that was immediately clear to see. They were exactly like what Nicolato was expecting: a very physical and well-coached side with good wingers and full-backs who know how to attack. The league season is ongoing in Sweden, meaning Italy’s opponents were clearly in excellent physical shape. As for the Azzurrini, they’d taken to the pitch three days before, were fatigued and needed to adjust to the changes made.

The Head Coach was aware that it’d be a difficult 90 minutes, but he didn’t think his team would end up having to chase the game after a slow start. Indeed, in the ninth minute, a mistake at the back allowed Gustafsson to give the Swedes the lead after a deflection off Parisi.

Italy then suffered a further blow on the 20-minute mark, with Lovati being forced off with a head injury. Mattia Viti came on but the tactical system remained the same. The Azzurrini were struggling to deal with Sweden’s attacks and retain possession, while they were also falling short with their tackling. Nevertheless, they didn’t lose their heads. In the 35th minute, there were shouts for a penalty for handball in the Swedish box, but the referee wasn’t interested. Nicolato’s team were getting better as the minutes ticked by and came close through a header from Pirola that brought out a fantastic save from Brolin (36’). Two minutes later, Plizzari rushed off his line to thwart Al Haij, but it was the Azzurrini who finished the half on top: after an attempt from Cambiaghi, Rovella hit the woodwork with a header.

Italy were behind at the break but equalised 13 minutes after the restart: Holm was penalised for a foul on Parisi in the box, and Nicolò Rovella stepped up to convert the resulting penalty.

Now on level terms, the Azzurrini really began to play some high-quality football, displaying real heart in the process. As for Sweden, they knew that they had to win to give themselves a chance of making it to the Euros. However, it was Italy creating the chances. After Sebastiano Esposito had come on for Pellegri in the 76th minute, Parisi won the ball back in the opposition penalty area and let fly with a shot across goal that finished wide. Two minutes later, Brolin did well to cover his near post and turn Cambiaghi’s strike behind.

Following Holm’s sending-off in the 88th minute, Italy pushed forward in an attempt to score a winner but, despite a series of opportunities, were eventually forced to settle for a draw.

Nicolato had the following to say after the game: “It was an uphill struggle from the beginning: we conceded after making a mistake and lost a centre-back, but I think it was a great performance. Goals were missing, but this is something that has been going on for a while. The lads were extraordinary; I think it was one of the best displays I’ve seen from us.”

Next Tuesday, a decisive encounter awaits: “Obviously, we want to win, even if the boys have expended a lot of energy. Now, it’s best to rest, and then we’ll see.”

Following today’s match, Nicolato called up Pescara goalkeeper Alessandro Sorrentino in place of the injured Carnesecchi.