First came qualification for the European Championship, then a friendly win in France. Italy’s Under-21s have had plenty to celebrate over the past 45 days. Cisse struck in the last minute in Armenia before an emphatic 6-2 win over Poland in Pescara booked Italy’s place at the 2027 finals in Albania and Serbia. The draw takes place in Belgrade on 26 November.

Friday’s 2-1 win in Laval made it six in a row for Silvio Baldini’s side, or eight including the two June victories when the Under-21s stepped up to represent the senior team. The Azzurrini are now two wins short of the record set under Cesare Maldini in 1992, the year Italy won the first of a record three consecutive Under-21 European Championships.

BALDINI IN HIS PRE-MATCH PRESS CONFERENCE. Italy will aim for a seventh straight win tomorrow against another strong side in Belgium, who won 2-1 away to Germany just two days ago. “We’re in good shape and everyone’s available,” Baldini said at his pre-match press conference. “I hope they can play with the same intensity tomorrow as they did in France. I’m convinced the only thing that can hold them back is their own mindset. If they stay calm, they have what it takes to put in a top performance.”

THE STARTING XI. As usual, Baldini named his starting XI on the eve of the match, making five changes to the side that beat France. Daffara replaces Palmisani in goal, Lulli takes Mane’s place on the right and Faticanti comes in for Amatucci as the deep-lying playmaker. Inacio and Cherubini start alongside Camarda, who continues to lead the line. “We have a clear identity as a team, so I’ve kept the changes limited,” Baldini added. “I always tell the lads to be consistent in the way they play. They’ve been fantastic so far, even in the defeat in Poland. I expect that to continue. I want a team that takes the initiative, always goes for the win and fears no one. I think these players are special, and I’m sure they’ve taken that attitude on board. Being here is a privilege. I’m the one getting the reward. They’re so good that I feel lucky to work with them.”

LULLI TO START. Roma’s Emanuele Lulli is among the starters. Baldini praised him in recent days for fitting in straight away, “as if he’d always been part of the group”. “It’s been a really positive start to the season for me,” Lulli told reporters. “I’ve had some incredible moments. I’m happy with how things are going and I need to keep my feet on the ground. I want to thank Gasperini for the faith he’s shown in me. My teammates and my family deserve credit too. I’m honoured and grateful to be part of this Under-21 squad as well. Everyone here has made me feel incredibly welcome. We’re up against a very strong team tomorrow, and I’m sure it’ll be a good game.”

THE UNDER-21s AND ROMA. Lulli also spoke about the similarities between how Roma and Italy’s Under-21s play. “There’s a lot in common, from how aggressively we press as soon as we lose the ball to the way we defend man-to-man. Both suit my game. Playing in a back four is different from playing as a wing-back. Learning to adapt and do the job as well as I can is part of my development.”

THE SQUAD

Goalkeepers
Giovanni Daffara (Parma), Diego Mascardi (Torino), Lorenzo Palmisani (Frosinone), Massimo Pessina (Bologna)

Defenders
Davide Bartesaghi (AC Milan), Fabio Chiarodia (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Pietro Comuzzo (Torino), Eddy Kouadio (Monza), Emanuele Lulli (Roma), Filippo Mane (Borussia Dortmund), Brando Moruzzi (Avellino)

Midfielders
Lorenzo Amatucci (Deportivo La Coruña), Tommaso Berti (Cremonese), Matteo Dagasso (Venezia), Giacomo Faticanti (Avellino), Luca Lipani (Sassuolo), Mattia Mannini (Benevento), Kevin Zeroli (Südtirol)

Forwards
Alessio Cacciamani (Torino), Francesco Camarda (AC Milan), Luigi Cherubini (Benevento), Simone D’Uffizi (Ascoli), Jeff Ekhator (Juventus), Seydou Fini (Frosinone), Samuele Inacio (Borussia Dortmund)