Italy Under 21 towards Poland: they need to win with a two-goal difference to qualify directly for the 2027 European Championships

A few hours before the match against Poland, practically a final for direct access to the 2027 European Championships, the Italian Under 21 players sharpen their weapons in Tirrenia, aware that they have only one way to gain the pass, to win with at least a two-goal difference. The combinations and variables are many, but Silvio Baldini always remembers that they have destiny in their hands, regardless of how strong the opponent they face in Pescara.

If Italy were to win by just one goal, they will still have a good chance of qualifying, because Greece - the real rival for the place as best second in all the groups - will have to win by at least five goals in Northern Ireland. With a draw and a simultaneous victory for Greece, the latter would be ahead of Italy who would be forced to face the play-off in November. In case of defeat, the U.21 team should hope for an identical result as Greece and Finland to celebrate qualification.

In this rather fluid scenario, it will be important to score but also avoid conceding goals and if the offensive phase can count above all on the strength of Cisse, scorer of the decisive goal against Armenia, and Camarda, the defensive phase is in the hands of his number one, Lorenzo Palmisani, who in the last three matches has not conceded a single goal. "I have a really strong team in front of me that allows me to take few shots - admits the Frosinone goalkeeper from Tirrenia -. I have to admit that it's a good moment, perhaps even unexpected, but it's only the beginning, I want to continue like this".

After the "difficult match against Armenia, but we were good at believing in it until the end and this is one of our main characteristics, we have another complicated match ahead of us. We play a lot but we do it with serenity, aware that we have prepared it well", says the 22-year-old from Alatri with conviction. In short, the morale of the group is high: "We arrive in Pescara with great enthusiasm. We have grown a lot this year, we are more aware and this gives us the strength to go on the pitch to win: Baldini leaves us free to choose to be ourselves, this is our real weapon", he concludes.