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After our great first game against the Czech Republic (2-1 win at the Niko Dovana in Durazzo), the Italy Under-17s, and reigning European champions, are preparing to face Neil Ryan’s England, who drew 1-1 in their first game against Belgium. They will face off on Friday 23 May (20:30 CEST, live on RaiPlay and UEFA TV) at the Arena Egnatia in Rrogozhinë for Matchday 2 of Group B in the EUROs final in Albania. There is much more than three points to play for: first place in the group is up for grabs, which is key in qualifying for the semi-finals.

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There is good news for the Azzurrini as 2009-born Juventus forward Destiny Onoguekhan Elimoghale is back available after serving his suspension against the Czech Republic. It will be a special game for the 2008-born defenders Laurence Adam Giani and Dauda Amihere Iddirsa who both play club football across the channel with Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion respectively.

The Englishmen earned access to the EUROs finals after a clean qualification phase. The Young Lions dominated Group 1 during the first international break from 24 to 30 October in Malta, beating their hosts 4-0, before beating Latvia 4-0, and then Sweden 4-2. It was the same story in Group A7 of League A, played at home from 19 to 25 March: 2-0 win against Israel, 3-2 win against Slovenia and a 5-0 win against Northern Ireland. Their standout players are Arsenal’s 2009-born Max Robert Dowman with three goals in seven appearances. Their best goal scorer is Alejandro Jesús Gomes Rodríguez: the 2008-born Lion of Venezuelan origins is already on four goals in just as many games, the last of which came against Belgium in Rrogozhinë (1-1). Keep an eye out for Reigan Heskey, the 2008-born Manchester City forward, son of ex-England player Emile Heskey, brother of midfielder Jaden, and cousin of 2003-born Leeds United player Mateo Joseph.

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The Azzurrini manager said, "They have great individual qualities, but also flaws that we must do well to exploit. We will need a great team performance, like always”. How can we forget last year’s game, when Italy beat England in a penalty shootout in the quarter-finals thanks to Liberali’s splendid goal and a great team performance. “It’s a great memory, but it’s in the past. We are now thinking of this game: it is a huge step in terms of qualification to the semi-finals”.

The record in England and Italy’s last five games is balanced: two wins each and one draw. The first Azzurrini win dates back to 8 May 2005 with Andrea Russotto scoring the winner. Our other win was last year, in the quarter-finals, with Favo’s boys winning on penalties after a 1-1 draw in normal time. In between, England won in 2015 and 2018, with a 0-0 draw completing the balance back in 2003.

09/05/2003 - England 0-0 Italy
08/05/2005 - England 0-1 Italy | 35' Andrea Russotto
07/05/2015 - Italy 0-1 England | 47' Marcus Edwards
07/05/2018 - England 2-1 Italy | 14' Alessio Riccardi (ITA), 63' Arvin Amoakoh Appiah (ENG), 69' pen. Thomas Glyn Doyle (ENG)
30/05/2024 - Italy 1-1 England (5-4 pen.) | 16' Ethan Nwaneri (ENG), 29' Mattia Liberali (ITA)

SQUAD LIST

Goalkeepers: Andrea Maran (Modena), Sebastiano Nava (Juventus);
Defenders: Benit Borasio (Juventus), Leonardo Noah Bovio (Inter), Cristiano De Paoli (Udinese), Laurence Adam Giani (Stoke City), Dauda Amihere Iddrisa (West Bromwich Albion), Jean Tryfose Mambuku (Stade de Reims), Davide Pavesi (Cremonese);
Midfielders: Alessio Baralla (Empoli), Christian Comotto (AC Milan), Andrea Luongo (Torino), Valerio Maccaroni (Roma), Vincenzo Prisco (Napoli), Federico Steffanoni (Atalanta);
Forwards: Antonio Arena (Pescara), Thomas Campaniello (Empoli)*, Destiny Onoguekhan Elimoghale (Juventus), Samuele Inácio (Borussia Dortmund), Edoardo Zanaga (Empoli).

* he’ll join the team on Monday 19 May due to commitments with his club.

Staff - Manager: Massimiliano Favo; Italy Youth Coordinator: Maurizio Viscidi; Vice Italy Youth Coordinator: Daniele Zoratto; Assistant manager: Davide Cei; Goalkeeper coach: Davide Quironi; Fitness coach: Adalberto Zamuner; Match analyst: Andrea Loiacono; Doctors: Sofia Calaciura Clarich and Alessandro Carducci; Physiotherapists: Giorgio Giannini; Nutritionist: Claudio Pecorella; School tutor: Stefano Presciutti; Press office: Alessandro Paoli; Secretary: Massimo Petracchini.