Baldini discusses Italy U21s’ EUROs qualification chances: ‘We have to be ourselves’

Baldini discusses Italy U21s’ EUROs qualification chances: ‘We have to be ourselves’ Silvio Baldini has discussed his side’s chances of qualifying for the 2027 European Championships, as the Italy U21s prepare to take on Albania and Poland in their crucial final pair of qualifiers this coming week. Baldini speaks ahead of a crucial week for Italy’s U21s The 2027 U21 European Championship will be a 16-team tournament, with 14 slots up for grabs along with co-hosts Albania and Serbia. There are nine qualification groups for the U21 Euros. The nine group winners and the best runner up will qualify automatically for the final tournament. The remaining eight runners up will then progress to a play-off round to determine the final four spots in the tournament. CREMONA, ITALY – OCTOBER 14: Italy U21 players pose before the UEFA Euro U21 Qualification match between Italy and Armenia at Stadio Giovanni Zini on October 14, 2025 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Marco M. Mantovani/Getty Images) As things stand, Italy are in second place in qualification Group E, and are guaranteed to finish no lower than their current position heading into the final two matches of qualification. The Azzurrini have won seven and lost one of their eight qualifying matches so far, but find themselves behind group leaders Poland, who have won all eight of their qualifying matches. Fortunately for Baldini and his players, the Italy U21s are currently the best of the second-placed teams, which means that they are in with a strong chance of qualifying directly for the tournament even if they do not win their qualifying group. CREMONA – OCTOBER 14: Coach Silvio Baldini of Italy listens to the national anthem during the UEFA Euro U21 Qualification match between Italy and Armenia at Stadio Giovanni Zini on October 14, 2025 in Cremona. (Photo by Marco M. Mantovani/Getty Images) Baldini had an opportunity to discuss his side’s progress during a pre-match press conference on Wednesday, ahead of Thursday’s penultimate qualifier against Armenia, who have 0 points after eight matches this qualification campaign. The Italy U21s will take on group leaders Poland on Monday. “The extra long break has helped us work well,” Baldini told reporters on Wednesday (via TMW ). “The boys already knew our general concepts, but being together for this long, having played in these friendlies, having gone out for dinner twice, it’s helped bring everything together on and off the pitch. “We have to go into these games with the desire to improve, thinking about the performance and doing the right things. Despite the difficulties that might come our way, we have to think about showing ourselves to the fullest game by game.” Italy Under-21 coach Silvio Baldini (@azzurri) Italy have 21 points and a goal difference of +20 after eight matches, Poland have 24 points and a goal difference of +21 after the same number of games. Given that the two teams still have to face each other in the final qualifier on Monday, Baldini was asked whether goal difference could come into play. He replied: “Yes, it could be important, but what we have to do is be proactive on the pitch and try to dominate the game regardless of the opponent. “We have to be ourselves and have fun in the way that we play. If we focus too much on the result, we might win but might not have expressed ourselves in the best possible way.” Read more: Baldini reacts to Kayode’s Italy debut: ‘All of my U21 players can make the step up’