Baldini Plays the Open Card: Italy U21 Line-Up Spilled Early for Sweden Scrap
Italy U21 coach Silvio Baldini has unusually revealed his starting lineup for the upcoming Euro qualifier against Sweden, making just one change with Seydou Fini replacing the injured Luigi Cherubini. The Azzurrini, second in Group E, aim to close the gap on leaders Poland with a high-pressing game plan against a physically strong Sweden side. Fresh off a 4-0 win over North Macedonia, Baldini emphasised team intensity and midfield creativity.
Baldini Plays the Open Card: Italy U21 Line-Up Spilled Early for Sweden Scrap
Picture this: most gaffers treat their starting XI like the nuclear codes, but Silvio Baldini, the Italy U21 boss, has gone full transparency mode. Ahead of tomorrow's Euro qualifier in Sweden, he's named his team with just one tweak. It's like he's daring the Swedes to adapt while sipping his espresso.
The clash in Boras kicks off at 17:30 UK time, and the Azzurrini are chasing top spot in Group E. They're sat pretty on 18 points, three behind leaders Poland, with the hosts scraping 10 points from seven games. Fresh from thrashing North Macedonia 4-0, Baldini reckons continuity is king.
One Swap and Straight into Battle
In his pre-match chinwag, Baldini laid it bare: "Seydou Fini comes in for Luigi Cherubini, who's nursing a minor back niggle but ready for sub duty." No messing about – the rest of the squad stays locked in. Here's the lineup that'll take the field:
Palmisani; Favasuli, Comuzzo, Charodia, Bartesaghi; Ndour, Lipani, Dagasso; Fini, Ekhator, Koleosho.
It's a vote of confidence in the lads who dismantled North Macedonia last week. Goals flew in from Cher Ndour, Luca Lipani, Jeff Ekhator, and even Fini himself. Cherubini might be sore, but with that bench option, Italy's got firepower in reserve.
Tactical Chess: Press High or Perish
Baldini didn't hold back on the whiteboard stuff either. "Sweden are beasts physically," he warned, "so we can't let them bully us. We've got to press 'em back, crank up the tempo, and snap up the ball quick when it slips."
He reckons the Swedes will roll out a 4-4-2 when in possession, switch to 4-3-1-2 without it, or even dip into 3-4-3. Sounds like a tactical shapeshifter, but Italy's prepped. The young guns have gelled since September, thanks to club minutes and daily graft. "Everyone tracks back, even the forwards," Baldini grinned. "That opens lanes for midfield rockets – hence all those goals from the engine room."
Italy's qualifiers have been a demolition derby bar one blip: that 2-1 loss to Poland when down to 10 men. Poland's perfect record is the only blemish, but with Poland maxed out, this Sweden win could flip the group on its head.
Why the Early Reveal? Confidence or mind games?
In an era of last-minute reveals and fake teams on Twitter, Baldini's move is refreshingly bold. Is it supreme confidence after the North Mac hat-trick? Or a psychological jab, forcing Sweden to overthink? Whatever the play, it's got the Azzurrini buzzing.
The lads have bought into the team ethic hook, line, and sinker. Training's sharper, performances punchier, and victories follow. As Baldini puts it, good habits breed silverware. With Poland glancing over their shoulders, Italy U21 smell blood.
Original reporting by Susy Campanale at Football Italia.
Grab your flags, lads – this one's got playoff destiny written all over it. Will Baldini's gambit pay off, or will Sweden's physicality grind them down? Tune in and find out.