Italy U21 — Sweden U21 : Match Preview and Prediction for October 10,2025

Italy U21’s Strong Start to Qualification

Italy’s U21 national team, led by Silvio Baldini, commenced their qualification campaign with the assertive dominance expected of a top contender. With two matches played, they have secured two victories, maximizing their points tally. The ‘Azzurrini’ first triumphed over Montenegro with a 2-1 scoreline, followed by a hard-fought 1-0 away win against North Macedonia.

Talent Pool and Home Advantage

This squad boasts an abundance of burgeoning talent. Genoa’s Jeff Ekhator is currently in scintillating form, with his spectacular back-heel goal against Napoli becoming a viral sensation across sports platforms. Francesco Camarda, hailed as one of Europe’s most promising young forwards, has made a strong return from injury, already netting his inaugural Serie A goal. Ekhator’s pre-match confidence is palpable, stating: “I am certain that we will emerge victorious in the end because we are a truly cohesive unit.” This confidence is further bolstered by their formidable home record: Italy U21 has secured victories in an impressive 15 of their last 19 home fixtures.

Sweden U21’s Inconsistent Start

The Swedes’ qualification journey has begun with mixed fortunes. A convincing 3-0 home triumph against Armenia was swiftly followed by a dispiriting 0-2 away defeat to Montenegro. This contrast is particularly significant, as Italy managed to overcome the very same Montenegrin side. The loss in Podgorica starkly highlighted the Scandinavian team’s inherent struggles when competing on foreign soil.

Away Form Struggles and Squad Issues

Away matches consistently prove to be the Achilles’ heel for the Swedish U21 squad, as they’ve now failed to secure a victory on the road for six consecutive games. The Montenegro fixture served as a stark confirmation, with Sweden dominating possession (56%) yet managing only a solitary shot on target. Compounding their challenges, the Scandinavians are grappling with “numerous defensive phase issues,” which leaves them seemingly “a step behind” when pitted against a team like Italy. The situation is further exacerbated by recent personnel setbacks; Adrian Skogmar and Hampus Skoglund were forced to withdraw due to illness just before the training camp, necessitating urgent roster adjustments from the coaching staff.