In a friendly match against Luxembourg, Italy featured eight senior debuts among the starting eleven, including Luca Koleosho, Cher Ndour, and Davide Bartesaghi. However, Marco Palestra is absent due to fitness concerns.
The match is set to begin at Stade de Luxembourg at 19:45 UK time (20:45 CEST).
Follow all the events live on the Liveblog.
EMPOLI, ITALY – MARCH 26: Silvio Baldini, manager of the under-21 team, observes during the UEFA Under-21 Euro Qualifier match between Italy U21 and North Macedonia U21 at the Stadio Carlo Castellani on March 26, 2026. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
This marks the first of two matches for Silvio Baldini, who ascended from the Under-21 side following Gennaro Gattuso’s resignation and the World Cup playoff disappointment.
The second match is scheduled away against Greece on Sunday evening.
Baldini has called up mostly uncapped young players eager to demonstrate their abilities, with only captain Gianluigi Donnarumma representing the veteran squad.
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Among the current roster, only Donnarumma, Inter striker Francesco Pio Esposito, Roma midfielder Niccolò Pisilli, and Atalanta defender Marco Palestra already have experience at the senior level.
CREMONA – OCTOBER 14: Marco Palestra plays during the UEFA Euro U21 Qualification match between Italy and Armenia at Stadio Giovanni Zini on October 14, 2025. (Photo by Marco M. Mantovani/Getty Images)
Palestra is not in the starting lineup today due to a minor adductor issue. Meanwhile, debutants include Fiorentina’s Cher Ndour and Pietro Comuzzo, Koleosho from Paris FC and Bartesaghi from Milan.
Costantino Favasuli replaces Palestra at right-back, recently helping Catanzaro near Serie B promotion in the playoffs.
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Another player to keep an eye on is Fabio Chiarodia from Borussia Monchengladbach, along with Sassuolo midfielder and Under-21 captain Luca Lipani.
Historically, this is the 10th meeting between the Azzurri and Luxembourg, with Italy winning all but one match, which ended in a draw in June 2014.
Viewers in the USA can catch the match on Fubo, while those in Italy can watch on Rai 1 or the Rai app.
EMPOLI – MARCH 26: Luca Lipani celebrates after scoring the team’s second goal during the UEFA Under-21 Euro Qualifier match between Italy U21 and North Macedonia U21 at Stadio Carlo Castellani on March 26, 2026. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
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Line-ups: Luxembourg vs. Italy
Luxembourg: Moris; Jans, Korac, Carlson, Michael Pinto; V Thill, Martins, Olesen, Moreira, Bohnert; Sinani
Luxembourg bench: Pereira, Fox, Mahmutovic, Duarte, Selimovic, Curci, Muratovic, Veiga, Goncalves, Kadamani, S Thill, Duarte
Italy: Donnarumma; Favasuli, Chiarodia, Comuzzo, Bartesaghi; Ndour, Lipani, Pisilli; Cherubini, Pio Esposito, Koleosho
Italy bench: Daffara, Palmisani, Palestra, Mane, Camarda, Reggiani, Berti, Faticanti, Fini, Ekhator, Inacio, Dagasso, Ahanor, Fortini
Referee: Kooj (NED)