Sports Mole previews Wednesday’s Euro Under-17s Championship clash between Italy Under-17s and Portugal Under-17s, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
The European Under-17 Championship trophy will be up for grabs when Italy Under-17s face Portugal Under-17s in Wednesday’s final in Kolossi.
Italy are looking to win the competition for the first time, while Portugal are hoping to become three-time winners.
Match preview
Italy are built their run to the final on the foundation of a strong defence that has conceded just two goals in five matches.
Massimiliano Favo‘s charges made light work of Group C, recording 2-0 wins over Poland and Slovakia before beating Sweden 2-1 on matchday three.
They then showed great composure in the quarter-final clash with England, holding their nerve to prevail 5-4 on penalties after the contest had finished 1-1 in regulation time.
Roma’s Federico Coletta then proved to be the hero in Sunday’s last-four meeting with Denmark, scoring the decisive goal to guide Italy to a fourth European Under-17 Championship final.
Their previous three final appearances all ended in defeats, with Italy losing to Russia in 2013, Netherlands in 2018 and 2019.
As a result of those missed opportunities, this current group of young talents have the chance to make their country the 10th different winner of the European Under-17 Championship.
Portugal have the chance to win their first European Under-17 Championship trophy since 2016 after overcoming a tricky road to the final.
They collected six points from three matches to finish top of a difficult group that contains Spain, England and France.
Joao Santos‘s side went on to claim a narrow 2-1 victory in their quarter-final clash against Poland to set up a last-four meeting with Serbia.
Their final hopes appeared to be handed by a threat after conceding two first-half goals in Sunday’s semi-final fixture, but they showed greater character to stage a dramatic late turnaround, scoring in the 60th, 89th and 95th minute to clinch a remarkable 3-2 victory.
Having secured their spot in Wednesday’s showpiece event, Portugal are now just one game away from becoming the third country to win at least three European Under-17 Championships.
The current group of players may be able to draw inspiration from the fact Portugal have prevailed in their previous two final appearances, beating Spain 2-1 in 2003 before winning a penalty shootout against the same opponent in 2016.
Italy Under-17s Euro Under-17s Championship form:
Italy Under-17s form (all competitions):
Portugal Under-17s Euro Under-17s Championship form:
Portugal Under-17s form (all competitions):
Team News
Italy goalkeeper Massimo Pessina will start a second straight game after Alessandro Longoni suffered a concussion in the quarter-final success against England.
With Pessina set to continue in goal, Favo could be tempted to select the same lineup that started Sunday’s narrow win over Denmark.
An unchanged XI would see AC Milan’s Francesco Camarda resume his forward partnership with Inter Milan’s Mattia Mosconi.
As for Portugal, Afonso Sousa made his first start of the tournament in Sunday’s semi-final success, and he is set to retain his place in the centre of defence alongside Rui Silva.
Edgar Mota and Dudu are both pushing for starting spots after coming off the bench to register assists in the comeback win against Serbia.
Mora will have a key role to play in Wednesday’s final, having scored five goals in Cyprus to leave him on the brink of winning the tournament’s top scorer award.
Italy Under-17s possible starting lineup:
Pessina; Benjamin, Verde, Natali, Cama; Coletta, Sala, Di Nunzio, Liberali; Camarda, Mosconi
Portugal Under-17s possible starting lineup:
Ferreira; Mota, R Silva, Sousa, Cunha; Mora, Felicissimo, Simoes; Quenda, Dudu, G Silva
We say: Italy Under-17s 2-1 Portugal Under-17s
Italy have been the most consistent side throughout the tournament in Cyprus, and while we expect the final to be a close-fought affair, we believe the Italians will do enough to claim a narrow victory and their first European Under-17 Championship title.
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