After the convincing 3-0 win over hosts Scotland on Wednesday, Italy U18 — bronze medallists at the Qatar U17 World Cup held in November — drew 1-1 with Poland at the Kirkintilloch Community Sports Complex in Glasgow on Matchday 2 of Group A2 in League A of Round 1 of qualification for next season’s Euro U19.

The Azzurrini opened the scoring in the 16th minute through Thomas Campaniello, the Empoli forward, before Poland equalised in the 67th minute with a goal from Legia Warsaw midfielder Pascal Mozie.

With this result, Italy move top of the group with four points and secure their place in League A for the second round of European qualifying, scheduled for next year.

“If we look at all the chances we created, the draw is a bit misleading,” said head coach Massimiliano Favo. “Today our attacking index was higher than in the match we won 3-0 against Scotland. We went one-on-one with their goalkeeper twice — first with Arena and then with Lo Monaco — while in the second half Charuży was forced to make decisive saves against Ballanti and Campaniello. Poland mainly caused us problems from set pieces, where we struggled in part due to the wind. Overall, though, I’m satisfied because the team gave everything, despite many changes.”

Italy will return to action on Tuesday at 20:00 CEST, again at the Kirkintilloch Community Sports Complex, to face Ireland, who previously drew 3-3 with Scotland.

Top, left to right: Longoni, Iddrisa, Arena, De Paoli, Campaniello and Borasio. Bottom, left to right: Lo Monaco, Marini, Prisco, Maccaroni and Ballanti.

Italy vs Poland 1–1

Italy (4-3-1-2): Longoni; Iddrisa (58’ Mambuku), Borasio, De Paoli, Marini (90’ Ridolfi); Ballanti, Prisco, Maccaroni; Lo Monaco (58’ Baralla); Arena (90’ Fogliaro), Campaniello.
Substitutes: Cereser (GK), Bovio, Dottori, Bonacina, Damiano.
Head coach: Massimiliano Favo.

Poland (3-4-3): Charuży; Epia, Mackiewicz, Lauryn; Zawadzki (62’ Rostek), Mozie, Przybyłko (60’ Gmur), Ligocki; Burkiewicz (60’ Delikat), Szczygieł (78’ Skorb), Hoy (60’ Dudek).
Substitutes: Bienduga (GK), Cegliński, Juśkiewicz, Rosół.
Head coach: Radosław Sobolewski.

Referee: Rareș Vidican.
Assistants: Alexandru Corb and Michael MacDermid.
Fourth official: Jamie Wilkie.

Goals: 16’ Campaniello (Italy), 67’ Mozie (Poland).

Booked: Ballanti (35’), Prisco (38’), Mackiewicz (45’+1), Hoy (45’+2), Maccaroni (56’), Szczygieł (71’), Epia (82’), Ligocki (85’).

Added time: 1’ first half, 4’ second half.

UEFA European U19 Championship Czechia 2027 – Round 1 | League A

Group A2: Italy, Ireland, Poland, Scotland

Matchday 1 – Wednesday 25 March
Poland 1-1 Ireland
Italy 3-0 Scotland

Matchday 2 – Saturday 28 March
Italy 1-1 Poland
Ireland 3-3 Scotland

Standings: Italy 4, Poland 2, Ireland 2, Scotland 1.

Matchday 3 – Tuesday 31 March
20:00 CEST – Ireland vs Italy, Kirkintilloch Community Sports Complex
20:00 CEST – Scotland vs Poland, Excelsior Stadium