Needing victory to ensure their place in the European Under-21 Championship quarter-finals, Italy Under-21s meet already-eliminated Norway Under-21s on Wednesday.

After hanging on to beat Switzerland at the weekend, the Azzurrini must simply match the Swiss side's result against Group D leaders France in order to progress; meanwhile, Norway have lost both games so far and will head home after the final whistle in Cluj-Napoca.

Match preview

Following an agonising 2-1 defeat to France in their opening Euro 2023 match, when the absence of goal-line technology meant a potential last-minute equaliser was not awarded, Italy dusted themselves down and bounced straight back on Sunday.

In fact, the Azzurrini raced into a two-goal lead against neighbours Switzerland - thanks to early strikes from Lorenzo Pirola and Wilfried Gnonto - and after Fabiano Parisi then found the net in first-half stoppage time, maximum points seemed to be assured.

However, a subsequent revival saw the Swiss pull back within a goal after 52 minutes, and only after both teams had traded several chances at either end did the game finish 3-2 to Paolo Nicolato's young charges.

That result hauled them level on points with their opponents, and with France poised to top Group D and Norway stuck to the bottom, Italy now just need to match Switzerland's result in order to progress via a better head-to-head record.

Beaten Euros finalists in 2013, the Azzurrini have combined two group-stage exits with quarter and semi-final appearances since, but having come through qualifying with seven wins and three draws, Nicolato is expected to lead a gifted squad to this summer's final in Batumi.

After their Under-20 counterparts recently reached the World Cup final and three Serie A sides fell at the final hurdle in UEFA club competitions, claiming silverware would be greeted with glee along the Italian peninsula. First, though, Nicolato's boys must see off the challenge of Norway.

Leif Gunnar Smerud's side have little left to play for in their final group fixture after they failed to hold on to the lead against Switzerland and were beaten, before being edged out by tournament favourites France on Sunday.

Always outsiders to reach the last eight - as they did in 2013, when they ultimately made the semi-finals - Norway had done well to hold off Croatia, Finland and Austria during qualifying, but a four-game winless streak before heading to Romania perhaps highlighted some deficiencies.

The Norwegians certainly pushed a much-changed France side hard at the weekend, though, and with the pressure now off they may fancy their chances of testing Italy and departing the Euros with at least one point.

Smerud has bemoaned his team's inability to convert chances, but as the Azzurrini have conceded four goals already, the Nordic nation could capitalise on any anxiety in their opponents' defence.

Team News

Likely to continue with a 3-5-2 formation, Italy are set to retain Inter wing-back Raoul Bellanova on the right flank - after creating Wilfried Gnonto's goal on Sunday, he was named UEFA's Player of the Match - while either Fabiano Parisi or Tottenham Hotspur-bound Destiny Udogie features on the left.

Versatile defender Giorgio Scalvini and Newcastle United target Sandro Tonali join Gnonto as players boasting recent experience in the senior squad, and all three should start again on Wednesday.

In attack, Lorenzo Colombo provides the greatest challenge to Pietro Pellegri's place, while Torino starlet Samuele Ricci is a strong contender should Paolo Nicolato opt to freshen up his midfield.

Meanwhile, Norway have fielded a different goalkeeper in each match so far, and after Kristoffer Klaesson replaced Mads Christiansen between the posts against France he is expected to keep the gloves.

Two teenage talents could start in support of Salernitana striker Erik Botheim up front: Antonio Nusa - who only turned 18 in April, and featured for Club Brugge in the Champions League last season - and Manchester City's Oscar Bobb. Emil Konradsen Ceide or Serie A side Sassuolo offers an alternative option.

Italy Under-21s possible starting lineup:
Carnesecchi; Okoli, Pirola, Scalvini; Bellanova, Miretti, Tonali, Ricci, Parisi; Gnonto, Pellegri

Norway Under-21s possible starting lineup:
Klaesson; Sebulonsen, Daland, Heggheim, Hjelde; Kitolano, Hove, Zafeiris; Bobb, Botheim, Nusa

We say: Italy Under-21s 1-1 Norway Under-21s

A nervy 90 minutes could be in store for Italy, as Norway will play without pressure and may return to form shown in qualifying - Switzerland will prove no pushovers for France in the other Group D game, too. Nonetheless, even a draw may be enough for the Azzurrini to reach the knockout phase, where few teams will want to face them.


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