Italy U21 squad: Ahanor added, but Favasuli and Fortini out injured

EMPOLI, ITALY - MARCH 26: Costantino Favasuli of Italy U21 in action during the UEFA Under 21 EURO Qualifier match between Italy U21 and North Macedonia U21 at Stadio Carlo Castellani on March 26, 2026 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

The Italy Under-21 side added Honest Ahanor, but lost Costantino Favasuli and Niccolò Fortini to injury for the decisive European Championship qualifier with Poland.

The Azzurrini scraped a last-gasp 1-0 victory in Armenia last night thanks to the stoppage time goal from Milan’s Alphadjo Cisse.

Italy battling for U21 European Championship

That means they could still top the group if they beat Poland by two clear goals in Monday’s showdown in Pescara, kicking off at the Stadio Adriatico at 17.15 UK time (18.15 CEST).

However, coach Silvio Baldini will have to do it without two full-backs, because both Napoli’s Favasuli and Fortini of Torino have been sent home to their clubs.

They were suffering from injuries that meant they could not recover in time to feature in the big game.

Instead, Crystal Palace talent Ahanor has been drafted in from the senior Italy squad to bolster their options.

If Italy win but not by two clear goals, they still have a very good chance of going directly into the European Championship as one of the two best runners-up.

Anything less than a victory and they would likely have to go through the play-offs in November.