Italy Under-21 faces Armenia with Poland showdown looming
The Italy Under-21 national team departed for Yerevan this morning for a match that could define their European Championship qualifying campaign. Tomorrow's fixture against Armenia, kicking off at 18:30 Italian time at the FFA Academy Stadium, represents the penultimate hurdle in Group E before a decisive home clash with group leaders Poland.
Head coach Silvio Baldini has overseen a ten-day training camp at the Olympic preparation centre in Tirrenia, using the extended period to build team cohesion through twice-daily sessions, friendly matches against Primavera sides, and team dinners. The approach yielded dominant results in warm-up games: a 15-0 victory over Empoli's youth team followed by a 10-0 win against Spezia's Primavera.
Raimondo withdraws through injury
Antonio Raimondo will not travel with the squad. The Frosinone striker, on loan from Bologna, was assessed as unavailable and has left the training camp after reporting a problem with his right Achilles tendon. Medical staff have diagnosed an insertional tendinopathy and the player has already begun rehabilitation.
Raimondo had started the current Serie A season strongly, scoring four goals in five appearances for Frosinone, including braces against Fiorentina and Venezia. His absence removes a central attacking option from Baldini's ranks.
The stakes in Group E
Poland currently sits top of Group E with 27 points from nine matches, three points ahead of Italy, who have played one game fewer. The group winner qualifies directly for the finals in Albania and Serbia in 2027, while the runner-up with the best record across all groups also advances automatically. All other second-placed teams enter November play-offs.
Goal difference could prove decisive. Poland holds a +24 goal difference with 26 scored and two conceded. Italy trails at +20, having scored 25 and conceded five.
Poland plays Sweden this evening before hosting Italy on Monday 5 October at the Adriatico stadium in Pescara. Kick-off is scheduled for 18:15.
Baldini's message: play freely
Speaking before departure, Baldini told reporters his players must approach the Armenia match with the same intensity they would bring against Poland.
"If we have paura [fear] of the result we might also win, but we won't have expressed ourselves at our maximum. [...] They must make the performance, feel free and happy: the most dangerous enemy is themselves and never the opponent."
The coach emphasised that his squad should not treat Armenia lightly despite their position at the bottom of the group. Armenia has zero points from eight matches, with four goals scored and 23 conceded.
Ndour expects difficult test
Cher Ndour, speaking from Tirrenia, described the unique nature of this training camp.
"It's the first time we've faced such a long raduno, staying together so many days. It's beautiful because we had the possibility to work well in view of two decisive matches."
The midfielder warned that Armenia present specific challenges.
"With Armenia it will be difficult, because we face a team that defends well and stays compact. We have to be good at imposing our rhythm, putting in desire and intensity, trying to unlock them as soon as possible."
A history of heavy defeats
Italy won the reverse fixture 5-1 at the Zini stadium in Cremona, with goals from Dagasso, Fini, and a brace from Camarda, plus Ekhator. In October 2019, Italy won 1-0 in Yerevan courtesy of a Gianluca Scamacca goal, before a 6-0 victory in Catania a month later.
According to ANSA, the qualifying picture is straightforward: Italy must win both remaining matches to overtake Poland and claim automatic qualification. Anything less means relying on goal difference or the play-off route.
What happens next
A victory tomorrow keeps Italy's fate in their own hands before Monday's Pescara showdown. A draw or defeat would leave Poland needing only to avoid defeat at the Adriatico to top the group.
The Italy Under-21 have not played at the Adriatico since a 2-0 friendly defeat to England four years ago. For Baldini, the venue holds additional significance: his last club role was in Pescara before taking the Under-21 post.
