Italy U21 vs Romania U21 Prediction: Azzurrini can make a winning start

Italy U21 have won the European Championship on five occasions - putting them joint-top with Spain for the number of tournament victories - and will be aiming for a winning start to the 2025 competition when taking on Romania U21 at the Anton Malatinsky Stadium in Trnava on Wednesday evening.

The Azzurrini qualified automatically as unbeaten winners of Group A,  finishing three points clear of Norway and Ireland.However, 14 of their 27 goals were accumulated in 7-0 home and away victories over sectional whipping boys San Marino.

Romania advanced as Group E winners - taking 22 points from 10 games.

They are appearing at the finals for a fifth time and posted their best effort in 2019 when reaching the semi-finals before succumbing 4-2 to Germany.

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Italy have opted for an experienced squad which features 10 players with 10 or more caps. 

Their 19-year-old striker Francisco Pio Esposito was Italy’s top scorer in qualifying with six goals but is a notable absentee.

Romania will be captained by CFR Cluj striker Louis Munteanu, who netted five goals during qualifying.

Munteanu and team-mates Razvan Sava, Constantin Grameni, Octavian Popesu and Andrei Borza have had exposure with the senior side. There are 14 players in the squad who ply their trade in the Romanian league.

Italy U21 vs Romania U21 Odds

Italy are 4/7 to open up with a victory, while Romania can be backed at 9/2 to spring a surprise

The Italians drew four of ten games in qualifying and are 11/4 to share the spoils in Trnava.

Over 2.5 goals is quoted at 10/11, while under 2.5 can be backed at 4/5.

Italy and under 3.5 goals @ 6/5

Italy defended diligently during qualifying - conceding just four goals - and their powers of resistance could hold the key defeating Romania in what promises to be a fairly low-scoring match.

Azzurrini head coach Carmine Nunziata was a holding midfielder in his playing days and sets his teams up to be tough to play against.

Nunziata has coached at various youth levels for Italy and led their Under-20s to a runners-up finish at the 2023 World Cup.

His team qualified in a solid enough fashion although they lacked a cutting edge on a few occasions - drawing 1-1 at home to Ireland and Turkey and 0-0 away to Latvia.

Italy are unlikely to blow teams away this summer but they should come up with a win against Romania, who have never advanced beyond the competition’s final four.

Romania finished top of a soft qualifying section but they conceded two or more goals on three occasions and their suspect defence may let them down.

Wilfried Gnonto to score any time @ 7/4

Wilfried Gnonto is among the more experienced Italian players - scoring five goals in 13 Under-21 appearances - and approaches the tournament in high spirits.

The 21-year-old had a strong season for Leeds United in the Championship, scoring nine goals and making six assists in their title-winning campaign.

Gnonto scored on each of his last three club appearances and can find the net against Romania.

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