Carmine Nunziata faces a crucial test as Italy's U-21 coach when his team opens their Euro 2025 campaign against Romania at Malatinski Stadium in Trnava this Wednesday at 10 PM.
"This match is decisive," Nunziata explained during the pre-match press conference alongside Tommaso Baldanzi, the team's standout player. "I've participated in many tournaments, and in a group of 4 teams, the first match is extremely important."
The Italian squad completed a ten-day training camp before arriving in Slovakia, focusing on balancing rest for those who needed it while giving playing time to others who lacked regular minutes with their clubs. Physical condition will surely matter, but Nunziata emphasized that "the head and motivation make the difference."
Baldanzi, who previously worked with Nunziata in the U-20 World Cup two years ago, added: "Fatigue takes a back seat. We all wanted to be here and gave everything to make it. There will certainly be no lack of cohesion or attachment to the shirt."
Interestingly, 12 players from that U-20 World Cup squad remain, plus four who won the U-19 European Championship two years ago. However, Italy's U-21 team hasn't reached a final since 2013 and has been eliminated in the group stage in two of the last three tournaments.
"At this level, you meet players who compete in the Champions League," Nunziata noted. "This year, too many of our guys couldn't find places in their clubs' starting lineups. Playing means growing and gaining experience – that's the big difference."
The Italians will be without their qualifying campaign's central striker Pio Esposito (6 goals), forcing tactical adjustments. "He was our reference point, so we'll have to do different things with different players, but that's my job," said Nunziata.
On the Romanian side, Daniel Pancu's team brings their own star forward in Louis Munteanu, who has extra motivation after being sold by "Fiorentina" to "Cluj" – a decision he's eager to prove wrong.
"We can't play Italian football; they've been playing it since childhood," Pancu admitted candidly at his press conference. "When differences are very large on paper, possession will be more on their side than ours tomorrow. But in football, being the favorite on paper matters less in my view."
Pancu also revealed a slight from Nunziata, who apparently didn't remember the Romanian coach's name when asked about him, responding only that "he's a very good footballer." Pancu's response was pointed: "To earn respect and have them remember your name, you need to beat them."
Despite being underdogs, Romania's compact, physical team with strong counterattacking abilities could cause problems for an Italian squad where many players lack regular game time with their clubs.
By the way, Coppola and Casadei, who were with Italy's senior national team until Monday, only arrived at the base in Trnava on Wednesday and missed the final training session but will be available for selection.
Will Romania's motivation and Italy's fitness concerns create an opening for an upset? The match kicks off at 10 PM at Malatinski Stadium in what promises to be a fascinating start to Group A.
