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England U21 v Italy U21: All you need to know about the Azzurrini

Domenico Berardi: Italy Under-21s star man scored 15 goals for Sassuolo last season

We put Italy’s Under-21s under the microscope as they prepare to face England in Wednesday’s crucial final group game in the European Under-21 Championship in Olomouc.

For Italy, only a win will do. The Azzurrini were beaten 2-1 by Sweden in their opening group game, and after a 0-0 draw with Portugal on Sunday they sit bottom of Group B needing to beat Gareth Southgate’s men to have any hope of reaching the semi-finals.

England, by contrast, bounced back from their 1-0 defeat to Portugal by claiming three valuable points against Sweden courtesy of Jesse Lindgard’s late strike. And while Italy’s fate is out of their hands, a victory for the Young Lions would guarantee a place in the last four.

But what are England’s chances of overcoming Italy? The senior team have a poor recent record against Andrea Pirlo and co having only won one of their last seven meetings, but will Southgate’s men fare any better?

The history

Italy Under-21s have a formidable European Championship record. They boast the most tournament wins (five), the most final appearances (seven) and the most semi-final appearances (11) in the history of the competition.

Italy Under-21s side of 2004 celebrate winning their European Championship triumph
Image: Italy Under-21s side of 2004 celebrate winning their European Championship triumph

Their last success came back in 2004 and they are up against it after a poor start this time around, but there is no questioning their pedigree – especially in comparison with England, whose only tournament wins came way back in 1982 and 1984.

The Azzurri met England in the 2013 tournament in Israel, where a Lorenzo Insigne goal gave them a 1-0 win as the Young Lions crashed out with three consecutive defeats at the group stage.

Italy went on to reach the final, where they were beaten 4-2 by Spain despite goals from Ciro Immobile and Fabio Borini.

The manager

Former Roma and Inter Milan midfielder Luigi Di Biagio was appointed in the wake of the 2013 tournament, when he was promoted from his role of Under-20 boss.

Luigi Di Biagio has been head coach of Italy Under-21s since 2013
Image: Luigi Di Biagio has been head coach of Italy Under-21s since 2013

His tenure has been unspectacular so far. Italy have only won one of their last six games – and that was against an Italy Under-21 second team.

But despite their underwhelming form and perilous position at the bottom of Group B, Di Biagio is still confident of progressing. The 44-year-old was bold enough to make five changes for the Portugal game – introducing a new three-man midfield – and the result was a greatly improved display.

“It's time to focus on England now,” he said. “We have to stay hopeful because we still have a chance of going through. I'm always confident, even when something is impossible to pull off. I'll be confident ahead of our last game.”

The stars

Italy are the only side at the tournament without a single full international cap in their 23-man squad – but that doesn’t mean they are without star quality.  

Domenico Berardi celebrates his goal for Italy Under-21s against Sweden
Image: Domenico Berardi celebrates his goal for Italy Under-21s against Sweden

In attack, Domenico Berardi is a thrilling talent and certainly one to watch. The 20-year-old is co-owned by Juventus but has shone for Serie A minnows Sassuolo over the last two seasons, registering remarkable numbers for a player so young.

Berardi scored or assisted 25 of Sassuolo’s 49 league goals last season, and over the last two campaigns he has 31 goals and 16 assists in total. Unsurprisingly, it was Berardi who notched Italy’s goal against Sweden when he coolly dispatched a penalty in the first half.

It is not yet decided where he will play next season, but Berardi has shown he is good enough for Juventus and with five goals and four assists in his last six appearances for club and country – England will need to be alert to keep him out.

At the other end, Italy’s centre-back pairing of Daniele Rugani and Alessio Romagnoli will take some beating. Rugani played every minute of Empoli’s Serie A campaign last season as they finished 15th following their promotion from Serie B.

Alessio Romagnoli jumps for a header against Portugal Under-21s
Image: Alessio Romagnoli jumps for a header against Portugal Under-21s

The 20-year-old is a solid, no-frills centre-back who could also have a big future at his parent club Juventus. Rugani was partnered by Romagnoli against Portugal, who is likely to keep his place against England at the expense of Verona’s Matteo Bianchetti.

In Italy, Romagnoli is viewed as having the potential to succeed the likes of Franco Baresi and Paolo Maldini in the senior team. The Roma starlet spent last season on loan at Sampdoria, where he made 30 Serie A appearances, but he could return well play a key role for his parent club next season.

Marcello Trotta: Had spells at Man City, Fulham and Brentford
Image: Marcello Trotta: Had spells at Man City, Fulham and Brentford

As for English connections, striker Marcello Trotta has spent time in the United Kingdom. The 22-year-old, who came on as a substitute against Sweden and Portugal, now plays for Avellino in Serie B but previously spent time as a youth team player at Manchester City before joining Fulham, where he had loan spells at Wycombe, Watford, Brentford and Barnsley. 

Midfielder Cristian Battocchio, meanwhile, is on the books at newly-promoted Watford but spent last season on loan at Serie B side Virtus Entella.

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