The traditional matchup between Italy and Spain’s youth sides will be renewed in January: just like in recent years, 2025 will kick off with Italy’s U19, U18 and U17 sides facing their Spanish counterparts in clashes involving two of leading countries at youth level. While Spain have long been a dominant force at international level, the work carried out by Club Italia led to the U19s and U17s winning the Euros in 2023 and 2024, respectively. In December, for the first time in history, the FIGC won the Maurice Burlaz Trophy, the prize awarded to the nation that achieved the best results in men’s youth competitions in the previous couple of years.

The first teams to take to the pitch will be the U19s and U18s on Wednesday 15 January: their matches are respectively scheduled for 11:30 CET in San Rafael and 14:30 CET at Coverciano. The Federal Technical Centre will also stage the friendly double header between the U17s on Tuesday 21 (14:30 CET) and Thursday 23 January (11:00 CET). The two sides are set to meet again four months on from the Torneo Città di Trieste, where the Spaniards emerged victorious (ahead of Italy) thanks also to a 2-0 victory over the Azzurrini at the Nereo Rocco. The U19 and U18 friendlies, as well as the first encounter between the U17s, will be shown live on Vivo Azzurro TV.

TOWARDS THE EUROS. The upcoming matches against Spain will be valuable tests for the U19s and U17s ahead of the second phase of qualification for their respective European Championships. Alberto Bollini’s U19 side will have the opportunity to closely ‘study’ Spain, who, along with France and Latvia, will be in the Azzurrini’s qualifying group (Italy will be the hosts) taking place between 19 to 25 March. The winners of the seven groups will join hosts Romania in the finals, which are scheduled between 13 and 26 June. Meanwhile, the U17s, who are the reigning European champions, will be in action from 19 to 25 March in Croatia, where they’ll face the hosts, Ukraine and Slovakia. The winners of the seven groups will progress to the final tournament, which will be held in Albania between 19 May and 1 June.

UPCOMING FRIENDLIES BETWEEN ITALY AND SPAIN

15 January (11:30 CET – live on Vivo Azzurro TV), Under 19: Spain vs. Italy (San Rafael)
15 January (14:30 CET – live on Vivo Azzurro TV), Under 18: Italy vs. Spain (Coverciano)
21 January (14:30 CET – live on Vivo Azzurro TV), Under 17: Italy vs. Spain (Coverciano)
23 January (11:00 CET), Under 17: Italy vs. Spain (Coverciano)