EMPOLI, Italy – As Italy’s senior national team navigates a challenging path toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Under 21 squad, under the guidance of Silvio Baldini, is quietly building a foundation for the future. With crucial European Championship qualifying matches against North Macedonia on Thursday, March 26th at the ‘Carlo Castellani’ stadium in Empoli (18:15 local time/16:15 UTC) and Sweden on Tuesday, March 31st in Boras (18:30 local time/16:30 UTC), Baldini is focused on developing a pipeline of talent for Azzurri coach Luciano Spalletti – and, as he readily admits, Gennaro Gattuso, who will take the reins after the European Championships.
The absence of Pisilli and Palestra, called up to the senior national team, is viewed by Baldini as a positive reflection on the work being done at the youth level. “For us, it’s a success,” Baldini stated. “It means we have participated in this growth. No one would have thought they would be ready for these playoffs in September. This makes us proud, because it means we are on the right track.”
New Faces and a Familiar Core
Baldini’s squad features a number of fresh faces, including 16-year-old Atalanta defender Honest Ahanor, who recently obtained Italian citizenship and received his first call-up to any Italian national team. “He will have to make himself available to the group, trying to do his best,” Baldini explained. “The important thing is that he has a sense of belonging to the group and to Club Italia, regardless of whether he gets on the field or not.”
The competition for the starting goalkeeper position is particularly intriguing, with Baldini acknowledging the quality of all three options, including newcomer Giovanni Daffara. “We have three valid goalkeepers, with Daffara receiving his first call-up. We will have to consider what we observe on the field and the responses they give us. At the moment, they all have the opportunity to start, regardless of who plays in Serie A or Serie B.” This openness to evaluating players based on performance, rather than league standing, signals a meritocratic approach within the U21 setup.
Baldini emphasized the importance of the established team spirit and the work done by Club Italia in nurturing young talent. “They already know what I expect and what I want from them, especially what spirit they must have in the national team. This morning, starting work in the gym, I saw a positive atmosphere. They are happy to be here and to meet up again: it will be easier for the new arrivals to integrate. Many of them, however, come from pathways with the youth national teams: the work done by Club Italia is fundamental; otherwise, the growth and training of these boys, which is gradual and of a high level, would not be such.”
A Look Ahead to the Senior Squad and World Cup Qualification
Baldini is optimistic about the prospects of the senior national team, currently preparing for crucial World Cup qualifying matches under coach Luciano Spalletti. He highlighted the increasing number of U21 players gaining valuable experience in Serie A, citing Lipani, Bartesaghi, and Venturino as examples. “Players like Lipani, Bartesaghi, Venturino himself, have gained playing time in Serie A, showing that they can perform at the highest level. Regardless of this, we have a strong and mature group. Absences and injuries are part of the game; we must make virtue out of necessity without losing the spirit and positive energy.”
The ultimate goal, Baldini stressed, is to contribute to the success of the senior national team. “We must not forget that our main goal is to bring as many players as possible to the senior national team. To that end, we are all cheering for them. I spoke with Gattuso and Buffon in recent days. They are people accustomed to this type of stress, great champions who have played great matches. They know they have a great responsibility, but we are all on their side, and I believe there are no better people than them to achieve the goal of qualification.” Baldini went on to state, with conviction, “I am not convinced, but absolutely convinced that Italy will go to the World Cup.”
The U21 team’s qualifying matches against North Macedonia and Sweden represent a significant opportunity for these young players to showcase their talent and contribute to Italy’s long-term success. The matches will be broadcast live on Rai 2, offering Italian fans a chance to witness the development of the next generation of Azzurri stars. For Baldini, it’s about more than just winning matches; it’s about building a cohesive unit and instilling a winning mentality that will serve these players well as they progress through their careers.
The upcoming matches also provide a crucial test for the team’s tactical flexibility and adaptability. Baldini will be looking for his players to execute his game plan effectively and demonstrate their ability to respond to different challenges. The focus will be on maintaining possession, creating scoring opportunities, and defending with discipline and organization.
The integration of new players, like Ahanor, will be key to the team’s success. Baldini will be keen to see how quickly Ahanor adapts to the demands of international football and whether he can make a positive contribution to the team’s performance. The coach will also be assessing the form of his established players and looking for them to lead by example.
The U21 squad’s journey is not just about qualifying for the European Championships; it’s about preparing these players for the challenges of senior international football. Baldini’s role is to nurture their talent, instill a winning mentality, and ensure they are ready to step up when called upon by the senior national team. The matches against North Macedonia and Sweden are an important step in that process.
Following the match against Sweden on March 31st, the U21 team will regroup and begin preparations for future qualifying matches. The focus will remain on developing the players and building a strong team spirit. Baldini and his staff will continue to monitor the progress of Italian players both domestically and abroad, identifying potential future stars and ensuring that the pipeline of talent remains strong.
What’s Next: The Italy U21 team will face North Macedonia on Thursday, March 26th at 18:15 local time (16:15 UTC) in Empoli, followed by a match against Sweden on Tuesday, March 31st at 18:30 local time (16:30 UTC) in Boras. Fans can watch both matches live on Rai 2.
What are your thoughts on Italy’s U21 team? Share your predictions for the upcoming matches in the comments below!
