Italy U21 vs. Armenia U21 official line-ups: European Championship qualifier

FLORENCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 13: Francesco Camarda of Italy U17 looks on during the International friendly match between Italy U17 and France U17 at Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano on February 13, 2024 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Italy continue their qualifying campaign for the European Under-21 Championship by hosting Armenia with Francesco Camarda and Luca Koleosho.

It kicks off at the Stadio Zini in Cremona at 17.15 UK time (16.15 GMT).

The Azzurrini are currently joint top of Group E with Poland, as both have won all three matches played so far, but with an inferior goal difference of +6 to +9.

Armenia are rock bottom with three defeats, while Montenegro, North Macedonia and Sweden are all on three points from three games.

Simone Pafundi has impressed at Sampdoria this season, but pulled out of the squad last night and will therefore not participate.

Milan-owned striker Camarda, on loan at Lecce, scored his first goal at Under-21 level last week in the 4-0 victory over Sweden and leads the attack here.

Luca Koleosho, on loan at Espanyol from Burnley, and Sampdoria’s Luigi Cherubini complete the trident attack.

Coach Silvio Baldini hopes to maintain his 100 per cent record on the Italy Under-21 bench since taking the job in July, even with some rather unusual training practices.

Italy U21 vs. Armenia U21 official line-ups

Italy U21: Palmisani; Palestra, Marianucci, Mane, Bartesaghi; Pisilli, Lipani, Ndour; Cherubini, Camarda, Koleosho

Armenia U21: Matinyan; Tarloyan, Manukyan, Hakobyan, Bandikian; K Hovhannisyan, N Hovhannisyan, H Sargsyan, D Hakobyan; M Hakobyan, Eloyan

Ref: Levi (ISR)