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Nickname(s) | Gli Azzurrini (The Little Blues) | ||||||||||
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Association | Italian Football Federation (Federazion Italia Giuoco Calcio – FIGC) | ||||||||||
Head coach | Paolo Nicolato | ||||||||||
Captain | Marco Carnesecchi | ||||||||||
Most caps | Andrea Pirlo (46) | ||||||||||
Top scorer | Alberto Gilardino (19) | ||||||||||
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First international | |||||||||||
U-23: ![]() ![]() (Varese, Italy; 1 November 1970) U-21: ![]() ![]() (Funchal, Italy; 23 December 1976) | |||||||||||
Biggest win | |||||||||||
![]() ![]() (Catanzaro, Italy; 23 March 1995) ![]() ![]() (Pavia, Italy; 5 September 2003) ![]() ![]() (Casarano, Italy; 6 September 2012) | |||||||||||
Biggest defeat | |||||||||||
![]() ![]() (Stavanger, Norway; 5 June 1991) Records for competitive matches only. | |||||||||||
Olympic Games | |||||||||||
Appearances | 5 (first in 1992) | ||||||||||
Best result | ![]() | ||||||||||
UEFA U-21 Championship | |||||||||||
Appearances | 21 (first in 1978) | ||||||||||
Best result | Champions: (1992, 1994, 1996, 2000, 2004) | ||||||||||
Medal record
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The Italy national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Italy and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation.
The team competes in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship, held every two years. Italy (along with Spain) is the most successful nation in the history of the competition, with five Championships won (1992, 1994, 1996, 2000 and 2004). Italy has also been twice runner-up of the competition, in 1986 and 2013.
From 1990 to 2004 the team established near-total dominance of European Under-21 football, winning five of the seven tournaments.
Italy's Under-21s played the first match at the new Wembley Stadium, on 24 March 2007, against England Under-21s. The game resulted in a 3–3 draw, with Giampaolo Pazzini scoring all 3 goals for the Azzurrini.
Prior to the 2008 Olympic games, Italy U-21s went on to win the 2008 Toulon Tournament by beating Chile (1–0) in the final. It was the first time they had won this tournament, previously their best had been runner-up on two occasions.[1]
Since the under-21 competition rules insist that players must be 21 or under at the start of a two-year competition, technically it is an U-23 competition. For this reason, Italy's record in the preceding U-23 competitions is also shown.
Year | Round |
---|---|
![]() | Quarter-Finals |
![]() | Quarter-Finals |
![]() | Quarter-Finals |
![]() | Semi-Finals |
![]() | Runners-Up |
![]() | Quarter-Finals |
![]() | Semi-Finals |
![]() | Winners |
![]() | Winners |
![]() | Winners |
![]() | Did Not Qualify |
![]() | Winners |
![]() | Semi-Finals |
![]() | Winners |
![]() | Group Stage |
![]() | Group Stage |
![]() | Semi-Finals |
![]() | Did Not Qualify |
![]() | Runners-Up |
![]() | Group Stage |
![]() | Semi-Finals |
![]() | Group Stage |
![]() ![]() | Quarter-Finals |
![]() ![]() | Qualified |
Total | 22/24 |
Since 1992 Olympic football changed to a U-23 event, and the European U-21 teams are technically U-23 teams. European national teams qualify for the Olympic football tournament through the UEFA European U-21 Championship.
Mediterranean Games Football tournament was U-23 event in 1993 and 1997.
Current technical staff:[2]
Position | Name |
---|---|
Head Coach | ![]() |
Assistant Coach | ![]() |
Goalkeeping Coach | ![]() |
Team Manager | ![]() |
Athletic Trainers | ![]() |
Match Analyst | ![]() |
Doctors | ![]() ![]() |
Physiotherapists | ![]() ![]() |
Physiologist | ![]() |
Accompanying Manager | ![]() |
Secretary | ![]() |
Only official matches are listed.[3]
3 September 2021 (2021-09-03) 2023 Championship qual. | Italy ![]() | 3–0 | ![]() | Empoli, Italy |
17.30 | Pirola ![]() Olesen ![]() Cancellieri ![]() |
Report | Stadium: Stadio Carlo Castellani Referee: Peter Kralović (Slovenia) |
7 September 2021 (2021-09-07) 2023 Championship qual. | Italy ![]() | 1–0 | ![]() | Vicenza, Italy |
17.30 | Colombo ![]() |
Report | Stadium: Stadio Romeo Menti Referee: Espen Eskås (Norway) |
8 October 2021 (2021-10-08) 2023 Championship qual. | Bosnia and Herzegovina ![]() | 1–2 | ![]() | Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina |
17:30 | Barišić ![]() |
Report | Okoli ![]() Vignato ![]() |
Stadium: Bilino Polje Stadium, Referee: Peter Kjaesgaard (Denmark) |
12 October 2021 (2021-10-12) 2023 Championship qual. | Italy ![]() | 1–1 | ![]() | Monza, Italy |
18:30 | Lucca ![]() |
Report | Prica ![]() |
Stadium: Stadio Brianteo Referee: António Nobre (Portugal) |
12 November 2021 (2021-11-12) 2023 Championship qual. | Republic of Ireland ![]() | 0–2 | ![]() | Dublin, Ireland |
18:30 | Report | Lucca ![]() Cancellieri ![]() |
Stadium: Tallaght Stadium Referee: Horatiu Fesnic (Romania) |
16 November 2021 (2021-11-16) Friendly | Italy ![]() | 4–2 | ![]() | Frosinone, Italy |
Mulattieri ![]() Canestrelli ![]() |
Report | Canestrelli ![]() Racovițan ![]() |
Stadium: Stadio Benito Stirpe |
25 March 2022 (2022-03-25) 2023 Championship qual. | Montenegro ![]() | 1–1 | ![]() | Podgorica, Montenegro |
18:30 | Rakonjac ![]() |
Report | Ricci ![]() |
Stadium: Podgorica City Stadium |
29 March 2022 (2022-03-29) 2023 Championship qual. | Italy ![]() | 1–0 | ![]() | Trieste, Italy |
17:30 | Rovella ![]() |
Report | Stadium: Stadio Nereo Rocco |
6 June 2022 (2022-06-06) 2023 Championship qual. | Luxembourg ![]() | 0–3 | ![]() | Differdange, Luxembourg |
18:00 | Report | Vignato ![]() Pellegri ![]() Gaetano ![]() |
Stadium: Stade Municipal Attendance: 1,890 Referee: Elchin Masiyev (Azerbaijan) |
9 June 2022 (2022-06-09) 2023 Championship qual. | Sweden ![]() | 1–1 | ![]() | Helsingborg, Sweden |
Gustavsson ![]() |
Report | Rovella ![]() |
Stadium: Olympia |
14 June 2022 (2022-06-14) 2023 Championship qual. | Italy ![]() | 4–1 | ![]() | Ascoli Piceno, Italy |
Rovella ![]() Cambiaghi ![]() Pellegri ![]() Quagliata ![]() |
Report | Coventry ![]() |
Stadium: Stadio Cino e Lillo Del Duca |
22 September 2022 (2022-09-22) Friendly | Italy ![]() | 0–2 | ![]() | Pescara, Italy |
Brewster ![]() ![]() |
Stadium: Stadio Adriatico |
26 September 2022 (2022-09-26) Friendly | Italy ![]() | 1–1 | ![]() | Castel di Sangro, Italy |
Colombo ![]() |
Fujio ![]() |
Stadium: Stadio Teofilo Patini |
19 November 2022 (2022-11-19) Friendly | Italy ![]() | v | ![]() | Ancona, Italy |
17:30 | Stadium: Stadio del Conero |
22 June 2023 (2023-06-22) 2023 UEFA U21 Championship | France ![]() | v | ![]() | Cluj Napoca, Romania |
20.45 | Stadium: Cluj Arena |
25 June 2023 (2023-06-25) 2023 UEFA U21 Championship | Italy ![]() | v | ![]() | Cluj Napoca, Romania |
18.00 | Stadium: Cluj Arena |
28 June 2023 (2023-06-28) 2023 UEFA U21 Championship | Italy ![]() | v | ![]() | Cluj Napoca, Romania |
20.45 | Stadium: Cluj Arena |
Players born in 2000 or later are eligible for the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. Players in bold have been already capped with the senior team.
The following players have been selected for the friendly match against Germany on 19 November 2022.[4]
Caps and goals as of 26 September 2022, after the match against Japan.
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1GK | Marco Carnesecchi | (2000-07-01) 1 July 2000 (age 22) | 18 | 0 | ![]() | |
1GK | Stefano Turati | (2001-09-05) 5 September 2001 (age 21) | 3 | 0 | ![]() | |
1GK | Elia Caprile | (2001-08-25) 25 August 2001 (age 21) | 1 | 0 | ![]() | |
2DF | Raoul Bellanova | (2000-05-17) 17 May 2000 (age 22) | 16 | 0 | ![]() | |
2DF | Lorenzo Pirola | (2002-02-20) 20 February 2002 (age 20) | 8 | 1 | ![]() | |
2DF | Giacomo Quagliata | (2000-02-19) 19 February 2000 (age 22) | 4 | 1 | ![]() | |
2DF | Mattia Viti | (2002-01-24) 24 January 2002 (age 20) | 4 | 0 | ![]() | |
2DF | Riccardo Calafiori | (2002-05-19) 19 May 2002 (age 20) | 3 | 0 | ![]() | |
2DF | Matteo Ruggeri | (2002-07-11) 11 July 2002 (age 20) | 1 | 0 | ![]() | |
2DF | Giorgio Cittadini | (2002-04-18) 18 April 2002 (age 20) | 1 | 0 | ![]() | |
2DF | Christian Dalle Mura | (2002-02-02) 2 February 2002 (age 20) | 0 | 0 | ![]() | |
3MF | Nicolò Rovella | (2001-12-04) 4 December 2001 (age 20) | 17 | 3 | ![]() | |
3MF | Salvatore Esposito | (2000-10-07) 7 October 2000 (age 22) | 8 | 0 | ![]() | |
3MF | Edoardo Bove | (2002-05-16) 16 May 2002 (age 20) | 5 | 0 | ![]() | |
3MF | Filippo Ranocchia | (2001-05-14) 14 May 2001 (age 21) | 4 | 0 | ![]() | |
3MF | Cesare Casadei | (2003-01-10) 10 January 2003 (age 19) | 0 | 0 | ![]() | |
3MF | Filippo Terracciano | (2003-02-08) 8 February 2003 (age 19) | 0 | 0 | ![]() | |
3MF | Franco Tongya | (2002-03-13) 13 March 2002 (age 20) | 0 | 0 | ![]() | |
4FW | Lorenzo Colombo | (2002-03-08) 8 March 2002 (age 20) | 13 | 2 | ![]() | |
4FW | Emanuel Vignato | (2000-08-24) 24 August 2000 (age 22) | 9 | 2 | ![]() | |
4FW | Matteo Cancellieri | (2002-02-12) 12 February 2002 (age 20) | 7 | 2 | ![]() | |
4FW | Nicolò Cambiaghi | (2000-12-28) 28 December 2000 (age 21) | 6 | 1 | ![]() | |
4FW | Lorenzo Lucca | (2000-09-10) 10 September 2000 (age 22) | 5 | 2 | ![]() | |
4FW | Cristian Volpato | (2003-11-15) 15 November 2003 (age 19) | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
Following are listed players called up in the previous 12 months that are still eligible to represent the Under-21 team.
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Alessandro Sorrentino | (2002-04-03) 3 April 2002 (age 20) | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v.![]() |
GK | Alessandro Plizzari | (2000-03-12) 12 March 2000 (age 22) | 5 | 0 | ![]() |
v.![]() |
DF | Caleb Okoli | (2001-07-13) 13 July 2001 (age 21) | 10 | 1 | ![]() |
v.![]() |
DF | Andrea Cambiaso | (2000-02-20) 20 February 2000 (age 22) | 7 | 0 | ![]() |
v.![]() |
DF | Fabiano Parisi | (2000-11-09) 9 November 2000 (age 22) | 7 | 0 | ![]() |
v.![]() |
DF | Destiny Udogie | (2002-11-28) 28 November 2002 (age 19) | 6 | 0 | ![]() |
v.![]() |
DF | Giorgio Scalvini | (2003-12-11) 11 December 2003 (age 18) | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
v.![]() |
DF | Simone Canestrelli | (2000-09-11) 11 September 2000 (age 22) | 2 | 3 | ![]() |
v.![]() |
DF | Alessandro Circati | (2003-10-10) 10 October 2003 (age 19) | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v.![]() |
DF | Andrea Carboni | (2001-02-04) 4 February 2001 (age 21) | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v.![]() |
DF | Alessandro Zanoli | (2000-10-03) 3 October 2000 (age 22) | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v.![]() |
DF | Matteo Lovato | (2000-02-14) 14 February 2000 (age 22) | 12 | 0 | ![]() |
v.![]() |
DF | Antonio Candela | (2000-04-27) 27 April 2000 (age 22) | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v.![]() |
MF | Nicolò Fagioli | (2001-02-12) 12 February 2001 (age 21) | 6 | 0 | ![]() |
v.![]() |
MF | Fabio Miretti | (2003-08-03) 3 August 2003 (age 19) | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
v.![]() |
MF | Samuele Ricci | (2001-08-21) 21 August 2001 (age 21) | 13 | 1 | ![]() |
v.![]() |
MF | Gianluca Gaetano | (2000-05-05) 5 May 2000 (age 22) | 3 | 1 | ![]() |
v.![]() |
MF | Manolo Portanova | (2000-06-02) 2 June 2000 (age 22) | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
v.![]() |
FW | Pietro Pellegri | (2001-03-17) 17 March 2001 (age 21) | 5 | 2 | ![]() |
v.![]() |
FW | Sebastiano Esposito | (2002-07-02) 2 July 2002 (age 20) | 7 | 0 | ![]() |
v.![]() |
FW | Luca Moro | (2001-01-25) 25 January 2001 (age 21) | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v.![]() |
FW | Kelvin Yeboah | (2000-05-06) 6 May 2000 (age 22) | 4 | 0 | ![]() |
v.![]() |
FW | Gaetano Oristanio | (2002-09-28) 28 September 2002 (age 20) | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v.![]() |
INJ Withdrew due to injury |
Players in bold are still eligible to represent Under-21 team. As of 31 May 2021.
The following is the top 10 most capped under-21 players:[5]
Rank | Player | Period | U-21 Caps |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Andrea Pirlo | 1998–2002 | 46 |
2 | Marco Motta | 2005–2009 | 38 |
3 | Francesco Bardi | 2011–2015 | 37 |
4 | Matteo Brighi | 2000–2004 | 35 |
5 | Daniele Bonera | 2001–2004 | 34 |
6 | Matteo Ferrari | 1999–2002 | 33 |
7 | Luca Marrone | 2009–2013 | 32 |
Alessandro Rosina | 2004–2007 | 32 | |
9 | Luca Caldirola | 2010–2013 | 31 |
Marco Donadel | 2004–2006 | 31 |
The following is the top 10 under-21 goalscorers:[6]
Rank | Player | Period | U-21 Goals | U-21 Caps |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Alberto Gilardino | 2000–2004 | 19 | 30 |
2 | Andrea Pirlo | 1998–2002 | 16 | 46 |
3 | Manolo Gabbiadini | 2010–2013 | 12 | 24 |
4 | Patrick Cutrone | 2017–2021 | 11 | 25 |
Massimo Maccarone | 2000–2002 | 11 | 15 | |
Gianluca Vialli | 1983–1986 | 11 | 20 | |
7 | Robert Acquafresca | 2007–2009 | 10 | 16 |
Cristiano Lucarelli | 1996–1997 | 10 | 10 | |
Christian Vieri | 1992–1996 | 10 | 19 | |
10 | Andrea Belotti | 2013–2015 | 9 | 18 |
Ciro Immobile | 2009–2013 | 9 | 16 | |
Roberto Mancini | 1982–1986 | 9 | 26 | |
Alberto Paloschi | 2008–2013 | 9 | 29 | |
Gianluca Scamacca | 2018–2021 | 9 | 15 |
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General | |
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Statistics |
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Goals |
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Results |
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Players |
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World Cups |
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European Championships |
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Other tournaments |
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Contribution by club |
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Other FIGC teams |
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Italian Football Federation | |
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Leagues |
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League competitions |
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Cup competitions |
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Youth competitions |
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Women's competitions |
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Awards |
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Miscellaneous |
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Unified |
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National under-21 men's football teams of Europe (UEFA) | |
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Defunct |
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