Two of the strongest sides in the 24th edition of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship, France Under-21s and Italy Under-21s will be determined to get their tournament off to a flyer when they face off in a highly-anticipated showdown at the Cluj Arena on Thursday.
With five titles to their name, Italy are the joint most successful team in the European Under-21 Championship. They are looking to clinch a sixth title and first since 2004, while France have not won the Under-21 Euros since 1988, despite the prodigious talent that regularly comes through the French footballing factory.
Both of these powerhouses were unbeaten in qualification round and are heavy favourites to prevail in Group D, which also includes Norway Under-21s and Switzerland Under-21s.
Here GOAL brings you everything you need to know about how to watch, including TV channel, streaming details and more.
France U21 vs Italy U21 kick-off time & stadium
| Date: | June 22, 2023 |
| Kick-off time: | 2:45 pm ET |
| Venue: | Cluj Arena stadium |
The UEFA U21 European Championship game between France and Italy is scheduled for June 22, 2023, at the Cluj Arena stadium in Cluj Napoca city, Romania.
It will kick off at 2:45 pm ET in the United States.
How to watch France U21 vs Italy U21 online - TV channels & live streams
 | UEFA.tv | Watch here |
The game will not be broadcast on TV, but will be available to stream live online through UEFA.tv.
Team news & squads
France U21 team news
Les Bleuets manager Sylvain Ripoll has a strong squad to choose from, with many already operating at first-team level across Europe's top-5 leagues.
Rennes forward Amine Gouiri scored 15 goals in an excellent Ligue 1 campaign last season and is expected to lead the attack, with support coming from Arnaud Kalimuendo and Montpellier hitman Elye Wahi.
Illan Meslier hasn't had the best of seasons with recently relegated Leeds United, but could still get the nod ahead of Lille's Lucas Chevalier in between the sticks.
After helping Sevilla win the Europa League, Loic Bade could start in central defence alongside Castello Lukeba in the injury absence of Chelsea's Benoit Badishile. They will be flanked by the full-back duo of Pierre Kalulu and Yasser Larouci.
The likes of Maxence Caqueret, Manu Kone, and Khephren Thuram will form the influential midfield trio. The star-studded bench options will include Rayan Cherki, Amine Adli, and Michael Olise, among others.
France U21 possible XI: Meslier; Kalulu, Lukeba, Bade, Larouci; Caqueret, Kone, Thuram; Gouiri, Kalimuendo, Wahi
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers: | Bajic, Chevalier, Meslier |
| Defenders: | Bade, Boey, Diakite, Kalulu, Larouci, Lukeba, Merlin, Simakan |
| Midfielders: | Caqueret, Chotard, Kone, Le Fee, Olise, Thuram |
| Forwards: | Adli, Barcola, Cherki, Gouri, Kalimuendo, Wahi |
Italy U21 team news
Italy boss Paolo Nicolato also has a strong and experienced squad to pick from, with the likes of Wilfried Gnonto, Giorgio Scalvini, and Sandro Tonali included despite already appearing at senior level for the Italian national team.
Nicolato prefers a 3-5-2 formation, which features flying wing-backs in Destiny Udogie and Raul Bellanova. After missing the win against Ukraine at the end of March, Cremonese shot-stopper Marco Carnesecchi is expected to return in goal for Gli Azzurrini. He will be protected by the back-three of Lorenzo Pirola, Matteo Lovato, Memeh Okoli.
AS Roma wonderkid Edoardo Bove, AC Milan mainstay Tonali, and Torino enforcer Samuel Ricci will be tasked to control the proceedings in the middle of the park.
The forward line will be occupied by Matteo Cancellieri and Lorenzo Colombo.
Italy U21 possible XI: Carnesecchi; Pirola, Lovato, Okoli; Bellanova, Bove, Tonali, Ricci, Udogie; Cancellieri, Colombo
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers: | Carnesecchi, Caprile, Turati |
| Defenders: | Scalvini, Parisi, Pirola, Lovato, Bellanova, Udogie, Cittadini, Okoli, Cambiaso |
| Midfielders: | Ricci, Esposito, Tonali, Rovella, Bove, Miretti, Cambiaghi |
| Forwards: | Colombo, Pellegri, Gnonto, Cancellieri |
Head-to-Head Record
| Date | Match | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| May 30, 2018 | France U21 1-1 Italy U21 | U21 national team friendly |
| June 3, 2016 | Italy U21 0-1 France U21 | U21 national team friendly |
| February 29, 2012 | France U21 1-1 Italy U21 | U21 national team friendly |
Useful links
- FranceU21 team page
- Italy U21 team page
- Football on TV in the US