Italy U17sItaly Under-17svs.Slovakia U17sSlovakia Under-17s

Meanwhile, Slovakia are hoping to collect their first win of the tournament after settling for a draw in their opening game against Sweden.

Match preview

After suffering a group-stage exit in 2023, Italy are already well set to better that performance following a successful outing against Poland on Tuesday.

Inter Milan's Mattia Mosconi opened the scoring, before defender Andrea Natali was given his marching orders in the opening stages of the second period.

Despite being left a man-light, Italy still managed to double their advantage through Federico Coletta's 72nd-minute effort.

As a result of the 2-0 win, Massimiliano Favo's side have now gone five games without defeat since losing to France in a friendly earlier this year.

They will now turn their focus to Friday's fixture, where they will attempt to record a win that would secure them an eighth knockout-round appearance at the European Under-17 Championship.

Slovakia are featuring at the European Under-17 Championships after previously appearing at the tournament hosts in 2013.

On that occasion, Slovakia navigated their way through the group stage, before losing 2-0 in the semi-finals to Italy.

Eleven years later, they will be hoping for a better result as they look to claim their second win in tournament history.

They will enter the contest with a point to their name after they played out a goalless draw in Monday's clash with Sweden in Paralimni.

Slovakia can be pleased that they still have yet to lose a group game in European Under-17 Championships history, having seen their four group matches produce one win and three draws.

Italy Under-17s European Under-17s Championship form:

W

Slovakia Under-17s European Under-17s Championship form:

D

Team News

Italy will be unable to call upon the services of Natali, who is suspended after being shown a straight red card against Poland.

With Natali ruled out of Friday's contest, Roma's Federico Nardin is expected to partner Christian Garofalo in central defence.

Having served a one-match ban, AC Milan forward Francesco Camarda is in contention to start on matchday two.

Meanwhile, Slovakia's Jakub Pira could be considered for a starting place after coming off the bench to play around half-hour against Sweden.

Buoyed from keeping a clean sheet, Sebastian Zajac will continue in goal with Tobias Daniel and Dominik Balog set to resume their centre-back partnership.

Italy Under-17s possible starting lineup:

Longoni; Benjamin, Nardin, Garofalo, Cama; Coletta, Mantini, Di Nunzio; Liberali; Mosconi, Camarda

Slovakia Under-17s possible starting lineup:

Zajac; Turansky, Daniel, Balog, Okal; Trello, Strucka, Vlna; Lusale, Kovacik, Pira

We say: Italy Under-17s 2-0 Slovakia Under-17s

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