The Italy U21 national team are currently top of their Euro 2017 qualifying group with a four-point advantage over Slovenia. The Azzurrini will resume their qualifying campaign in September with two home matches. The first will see Di Biagio’s side take on Serbia at the Stadio Romeo Menti in Vicenza on 2nd September (18:30 CEST), before La Spezia’s Stadio Alberto Picco plays host to the game against Andorra on 6th September (18:30 CEST).

The Azzurrini, who take on Albania U21s in a friendly in San Benedetto del Tronto on 10th August before the qualifying campaign resumes, will play in Vicenza for the fifth time in their history. They have a perfect record in previous matches in the Veneto city. The first encounter took place in 1977 as Italy beat Portugal 4-1; the following two games saw visits from Slovenia and the Azzurrini prevailed 1-0 on both occasions (1995, 2005). The last time Vicenza hosted the U21s was on 13th October 2015, with Italy earning a 1-0 win over the Republic of Ireland thanks to Vittorio Parigini’s winner.

The Italy U21s last played in La Spezia on 21st August 2007. It was a friendly against France and the Azzurrini prevailed 2-1 thanks to goals from Giuseppe Rossi and Danilo Dessena.

Photo:  figc.it